By Conner Farrell–
In his third full season back at the helm for the Cardinals, coach Bobby Petrino looks to rev up this year’s offense. Renown for his offense play-calling prowess, Petrino’s offense has been decent in the ACC so far, but nowhere near his offenses of the past.
In his first two seasons back, U of L’s offense hasn’t cracked the nation’s top 50 in points-per-game. In 2014, Louisville settled in at number 52 in the nation with 31.2 points per game. In 2015, the Cardinals dropped to 65th putting up 28.7 points per game. The only two other times Petrino-coached offenses fell outside the top 50 in points-per-game was his first years at Arkansas and Western Kentucky.
From year one to year two of the Cards’ offense, the major difference is the running game that jumped from 142.7 yards per game to 171 yards. The single man behind this spike in rushing yards is quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson is the first 900-yard rusher since Bilal Powell in 2010.
Petrino’s third season is also the first time that Louisville will have a returning, full-time starter at quarterback. Additionally, the offense has nine starters returning.
Jackson is a fantastic mobile quarterback totaling 960 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He also has tremendous arm strength which is perfect a deep passing attack that has been a staple of a Petrino offense.
This season, Jackson will also have had more time to develop chemistry with his receivers. His top wide-outs will be Jamari Staples, James Quick and Reggie Bonnafon. Staples and Quick have both proven that they are reliable pass-catchers in the Louisville offense. Quick is the speed demon and Staples the aggressive and explosive receiver. Second-year players Jaylen Smith, Ja’Quay Savage and Traveon Samuel are also going to be in the mix to catch passes.
In the backfield along with Jackson is senior tailback Brandon Radcliff. Radcliff will be part of a running back stable that features two returning players in Jeremy Smith and LJ Scott. Radcliff is a powerful, bowling-ball type of back. Always delivering the blow, fans love his running style. Smith is balanced, one-cut back that bursts through running lanes. Scott will be leaned on in passing situations.
Petrino has the game-changing quarterback, multi-dimensional receivers and running backs plus great tight-ends. The biggest question mark comes up front on the line, that returns it’s core members.
On paper, all systems are good to go. When you run down the checklist of what a successful offense possesses, U of L has it. Petrino has all the ingredients he needs to take the next step. With players returning into his system, look for the Cardinals to fly high this year.
Photo by Noah Allison / The Louisville Cardinal
