Relief is in sight for the long hot summer at the University of Louisville. Fall football camp opened at 8:50 sharp Wednesday morning at the practice field adjacent to the Trager Center.
The temperature is already 85 degrees and expected to rise, along with the excitement and intensity of the opening practice.
The first session featuring the newbies, players like highly-touted quarterback Jawon Pass, wide receivers Dez Fitzpatrick, Keion Wakefield and Seth Dawkins, and kicker Austin Laszewski among freshman getting their first taste of practice.
Practice sessions for UofL football are carefully choreographed, with every segment under the clock. Coaches watching every player, every move they make, launching volleys of criticism at any hint of lack of focus.
“Run, run, run,” yells an assistant coach. “We don’t have any time to waste. Get the lead out, keep moving.”
Practices are split into two sessions for the first few days, with newcomers going first prior to the veterans taking the field. The arrangement gives the UofL coaching staff the ability to work closely with both new and returning Cardinals.
Coach Bobby Petrino is at the middle of the practice field, quietly taking everything in, eager to see how the newcomers adapt to the challenges, and the rigors of college football. Every assistant coach and player aware of his presence, responding quickly to any Petrino verbal demands or changes in body language.
Petrino fully aware of high expectations as practice begins, welcoming those expectations. After a couple of weeks of talking up his team for the media, however, he’s ready to get down to business. “It’s time to shut up and get out there and get it done,” he said.