Well, Game 1 is in the books
The University of Louisville officially started its 2009 football season with a 30-10 win over visiting Indiana State (0-2), the Sycamores' 28th consecutive defeat.
Earlier, the Cards' archrivals from the University of Kentucky blasted Miami (Ohio) 42-0 on a neutral field in Cincinnati. Comparing the two results left much of Planet Red grousing and grumbling.
U of L plays UK in Lexington at noon Sept. 19. Both schools have open dates next week.
I find it difficult to assess Louisville's performance in an opening game against an overmatched opponent that now has won only once in its last 53 outings, but I saw some things I liked, as well as some cause for concern.
The pluses:
The defense. True, the Sycamores aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, but the Cardinal defenders treated them much the way I expect them to treat a thoroughly overmatched opponent. ISU managed only seven first downs and 101 yards of total offense, including 19 net rushing yards (0.8 yards per attempt). The defense also generated four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble recovery) and had an interception return for a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty.
Justin Burke. After a shaky start (one completion in his first seven throws), Burke rallied to finish 17 for 31 for 225 yards. He suffered two interceptions, one on a ricochet off his receiver's hands, the other on the last play of the first half, when instead of taking a red-zone sack, he threw an ill-advised shovel pass directly to a Sycamore defender. Once he shook off his first-start jitters, he looked poised and delivered his passes with authority.
Placekicking. Barefoot kicker Ryan Payne hit from 29, 21 and 31 yards, and hooked a 35-yard try from the left hash mark slightly wide. U of L made only five field goals in the entire 2008 season.
The minuses:
Justin Burke. Much has been made of wide receivers Scott Long and Trent Guy's ability to stretch the field with their speed. Burke failed to connect with either on deep passes, overthrowing Long and Doug Beaumont on certain touchdowns. His touch on the deep ball needs considerable work.
Kickoffs. Payne's hang time and distance left a lot to be desired. He didn't threaten the goal line on any of his kickoffs, and ISU's second scoring drive, which produced a field goal, followed a 55-yard kickoff return. This area must improve, and quickly -- one hopes starter Chris Philpott's transgression wasn't severe enough to warrant more than one game out of uniform.
Stupid penalties. Forgetting the snap count. Late-hit personal fouls on offense. Holding during a fair catch. All told, the Cards incurred 14 penalties for 128 yards -- far too many to get away with against a decent opponent, and a disturbing flashback to the worst of the John L. Smith era. Kragthorpe must impress upon his players the vital importance of keeping cool heads and playing snap to whistle, not beyond.
Above all, I'm profoundly thankful for the open date before the Kentucky game. I have no idea what to expect.
The University of Louisville officially started its 2009 football season with a 30-10 win over visiting Indiana State (0-2), the Sycamores' 28th consecutive defeat.
Earlier, the Cards' archrivals from the University of Kentucky blasted Miami (Ohio) 42-0 on a neutral field in Cincinnati. Comparing the two results left much of Planet Red grousing and grumbling.
U of L plays UK in Lexington at noon Sept. 19. Both schools have open dates next week.
I find it difficult to assess Louisville's performance in an opening game against an overmatched opponent that now has won only once in its last 53 outings, but I saw some things I liked, as well as some cause for concern.
The pluses:
The defense. True, the Sycamores aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, but the Cardinal defenders treated them much the way I expect them to treat a thoroughly overmatched opponent. ISU managed only seven first downs and 101 yards of total offense, including 19 net rushing yards (0.8 yards per attempt). The defense also generated four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble recovery) and had an interception return for a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty.
Justin Burke. After a shaky start (one completion in his first seven throws), Burke rallied to finish 17 for 31 for 225 yards. He suffered two interceptions, one on a ricochet off his receiver's hands, the other on the last play of the first half, when instead of taking a red-zone sack, he threw an ill-advised shovel pass directly to a Sycamore defender. Once he shook off his first-start jitters, he looked poised and delivered his passes with authority.
Placekicking. Barefoot kicker Ryan Payne hit from 29, 21 and 31 yards, and hooked a 35-yard try from the left hash mark slightly wide. U of L made only five field goals in the entire 2008 season.
The minuses:
Justin Burke. Much has been made of wide receivers Scott Long and Trent Guy's ability to stretch the field with their speed. Burke failed to connect with either on deep passes, overthrowing Long and Doug Beaumont on certain touchdowns. His touch on the deep ball needs considerable work.
Kickoffs. Payne's hang time and distance left a lot to be desired. He didn't threaten the goal line on any of his kickoffs, and ISU's second scoring drive, which produced a field goal, followed a 55-yard kickoff return. This area must improve, and quickly -- one hopes starter Chris Philpott's transgression wasn't severe enough to warrant more than one game out of uniform.
Stupid penalties. Forgetting the snap count. Late-hit personal fouls on offense. Holding during a fair catch. All told, the Cards incurred 14 penalties for 128 yards -- far too many to get away with against a decent opponent, and a disturbing flashback to the worst of the John L. Smith era. Kragthorpe must impress upon his players the vital importance of keeping cool heads and playing snap to whistle, not beyond.
Above all, I'm profoundly thankful for the open date before the Kentucky game. I have no idea what to expect.
Labels: college, football, Louisville Cardinals
posted by Alan at 11:29 PM
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