Ready Or Not

Enjoying the solitude, football fans?

Thanks to recent basketball success, the unprecedented level of attacks on the University of Louisville football coaching staff finally quieted down.  Temporary relief for Steve Kragthorpe, allowing him to focus on creating synergy among the six new members of the coaching staff, the returning players and the transfers.

The lull will end Friday night when Kragthorpe oversees the annual spring scrimmage, 7:30 at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

Format has the offense against the defense, offense scoring points for touchdowns and field goals, the defense with points for changes of possession, fumbles, interceptions and defensive scores.

*    *    *

Kragthorpe has yet to decide on a starting quarterback. That could be very good or very bad.

*    *   *

Fans will get their first look at redshirt freshman Darius Ashley who, as a running back at Cincinnati St. X, rushed for 1,583 yards and 17 touchdowns during his senior year.

How does that compare with Victor Anderson’s senior numbers? Anderson carried the ball more than 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns during his last season at Louisville St. X.

In one scrimmage, Ashley gained 28 yards on 17 carries, including 70 yards for a touchdown.

*    *    *

One of the major disappointments last season was the failure of Bilal Powell to live up to expectations, managing only 354 yards on 75 carries. Powell, a junior, was considered one of the top running back prospects in the country when he was recruited, rushing for 1,960 yards and 26 touchdowns as a high school senior.