By Chris O’Grady
In their last game before entering conference play the U of L football team came out and played what head coach Charlie Strong called the team’s first “complete” game, beating the University of Memphis 56-0.
“It was so important for us to get ourselves established in this game,” said Strong. “We really wanted to finish the game, because we didn’t feel like we did that against Arkansas State. We knew we were a better football team than Memphis, we just had to go prove it, and I think we did that.”
The game felt like a breakout performance for an offense that has come alive under new coordinator Mike Sanford. The Cards lead 35-0 at half, and only needed to leave starters in for two drives into the second half before the outcome was decided. Senior starting quarterback Adam Froman was excellent again completing 12 of 16 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns.
“That was a big game for our confidence,” said Froman. “That’s how we wanted to go out and do it. Today was a real tribute to how hard our guys have worked.”
Fellow senior running back Bilal Powell was special again for the Cards rushing for 204 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns. It was only the eighth 200+ yard performance in Louisville football history. Powell now has 689 yards rushing this season, registering his fourth career game above 100 yards.
“Our seniors are really playing their best football right now,” said Strong. “Their starting to show some strong leadership and it is catching on among the other guys.”
The Cards receiving core was special again, distributing the load all around for Froman. Junior Josh Bellamy led the receivers with six catches for 112 yards and two scores, one that he pulled down amidst defenders in the second quarter.
“Today was big, the hard work is starting to pay off from great practices,” said Bellamy. “We keep building up our confidence, we believe we can win.”
Senior tight end Cameron Graham opened the scoring for U of L, hauling in a 39 yard pass from Froman with a minute and 56 seconds left in the first quarter. The Cards next possession showed that fans were in for something special as Froman connected with junior tight end Josh Chichester after a reverse flea-flicker play out of the wildcat formation.
“I knew that play was going for a touchdown, I knew it,” said Bellamy. “Every single time we ran that in practice it went for a touchdown that just totally swung the momentum.”
Even the backups got into the scoring action. Backup senior quarterback Justin Burke threw his first touchdown pass of the season on a four-yard pass to sophomore Andrell Smith in the third quarter. Redshirt freshman running back Jeremy Wright gained 58 yards on seven carries with another score in the fourth quarter, in relief of Powell.
Defensively the Cards maintained a shutout, with a spectacular performance from sophomore corner back Darius Ashley, who had six and a half tackles, including two sacks.
“It was our first shutout in a long time so that was really nice,” said Ashley. “It was just really easy for me to feed off as well as we were playing. Our cohesiveness has been our strength to this point, and our team fed off that today.”
Senior corner Johnny Patrick recorded his sixth career interception midway through the first quarter and senior linebacker Antwone Canady had four tackles and a sack.
The game offered other attractions besides the game as U of L celebrated homecoming festivities, and retired the jersey of former All-American wide receiver Deion Branch. U of L basketball star Kyle Kuric was named Homecoming King. Branch, who plays for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, said it was hard to grasp his emotions while receiving the honor from athletic director Tom Jurich.
“I’m just speechless, it’s hard to talk about without getting emotional,” said Branch, who starred at U of L from 2000-01. “When I heard I was shocked and surprised, but I just feel so honored to be up there with all those names.”
Coach Strong said it seems the players have started to mold into the vision he had given them, and starting to find their groove, as the team wrapped up what he called “phase two” of the season.
“We can get a lot better but I think you’ve seen us turn, there was an attitude to complete the game,” said Strong. “The players are starting to listen now, not as much is going over their heads. They believe that we can be a good football team.”
The Cards start Big East play on Oct. 15 with a nationally televised game against rival University of Cincinnati. Players seemed anxious to show their progress to the expanded audience.
“Coach Strong said before the game we could make a statement going into Big East play,” said Bellamy. “I think we showed what we’re all about.”
The game which will be shown on ESPN will be the Big East opener for both teams, each with a new coach. Brian Kelly left the Bearcats last December to coach at Notre Dame.
“I think our players deserve that stage,” said Strong. “It’s our chance to show the country what we’re made of.”
