By Mitch Streufert
The 2010 Louisville Cardinal football team, under the direction of new head coach Charlie Strong, is off to a 3-2 start so far this year, most notably a 56-0 defeat of the Memphis Tigers last Saturday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. However, the Cards have been up and down the entire year, at times showing brilliance, and at others leaving people to shake their heads in disgust. The one beacon of consistency to be seen is in the quietest player on the team, senior running back Bilal Powell
Bilal Powell in his last two seasons as a Cardinal ran for a combined 746 total yards. Through just 5 games in 2010 has run for a combined 709 total yards. The improvement has given the Cards a sense of stability in a chaotic transition year. Powell has recorded 3 straight games with 100 yards rushing or more, and has a touchdown in all 5 games for the Cardinals this season. According to head coach Charlie Strong, Bilal Powell is the table setter for the entire football program.
“Bilal is just a special player, he is the face of our program,” said Strong. “He can do so many things as a player he can make a move to get by you or run somebody over. Bilal always competes, and never says a thing. For us to play and to perform the way we have been, Bilal has to be the key ingredient for us.”
Bilal as a senior is one of the leaders in the U of L football program, but he rarely uses his voice to lead. He leads by example so the younger players can strive to be like Bilal. Senior offensive tackle Greg Tomczyk believes you couldn’t ask for a better teammate.
“Bilal is just one of the most down to earth guys your ever going to meet,” said Tomczyk. “He has strong faith and abides by it, and treats every single person he meets with respect. On the field he is just an outstanding guy to block for, because he reads holes and makes people miss. No matter who we play Bilal is going to get his yards.
It’s not just the coaches or the offensive players who notice Bilal’s work ethic. Powell receives recognition from every person in the locker room. Powell’s ability to separate the gridiron from everyday life is very apparent to junior defensive end Greg Scruggs.
“Bilal has a split personality, off the field the guy will do anything for you, he is nice and just easy to get along with,” said Scruggs. “On the field he is mean and determined to do what ever it takes to score or win the game. You see it in practice everyday his passion for the game, and then when we go into the locker room afterwards he is literally silent. Just a very modest guy, and I have all the confidence in the world in him.”
The Cards open up Big East play on national television this Friday in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium against, the reigning Big East Champion, the University of Cincinnati. The game marks, what Charlie Strong says is, phase 3 of their season conference play. Bilal Powell will be going for 4 straight games with 100 yards rushing, and for his 6thstraight game with a touchdown. If he can complete the task he will be putting the Cards in a great spot to start off conference play on the right foot.
