Media Overhyping the Louisville Cardinals Due to Petrino?
Offense
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If Bridgewater had returned this year, it would be a coach’s dream because Petrino would then might possible be walking into the most loaded offense in the ACC. As it is, even with Bridgewater gone, this is an offense that returns eight starters and has nine seniors expected to start. That’s a great sign if your breaking in a new quarterback, but the new quarterback is still a major question.
You don’t simply replace a guy who was a three-year starter and threw for 3,970 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions at a school like Louisville, I don’t care who’s coaching. We all know Louisville played a very soft schedule, but Bridgewater carried them to their last two victories over Memphis and Cincinnati, and he was the only reason the Cardinals’ only loss of the year to UCF was close. The year before that, he put the team on his back to score victories against North Carolina, South Florida, Cincinnati, Rutgers, and Florida in the Sugar Bowl. Sophomore Will Gardner looks like he’s the clear-cut starter going into the Fall, but he only threw 12 passes last year. To be fair, he completed 8 of them, 2 for touchdowns, and at 6’5 230 pounds, he has tremendous upside that should eventually thrive in Petrino’s pro-style system. I’m expecting a few growing pains, though.
The rest of the offense, however, is mostly set. Dominique Brown is back at running back for his senior year after 825 yards and 8 touchdowns on only 163 carries last year, and although his partner in crime Senorise Perry is gone, that position should be filled easily by Michael Dyer. Dyer will also be a senior, and those two should create an incredible two-headed monster in the backfield.
At wide receiver, Damian Copeland is gone after catching 58 balls for 780 yards and 5 touchdowns, but everybody else is back, which
Oct 5, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Will Gardner (11) looks to pass during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Louisville defeated Temple 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
should provide Petrino and Gardner some massive relief. DeVante Parker was the leading receiver last year with 12 touchdowns and 885 yards, and he’s back for his senior year. Eli Rogers, who was third on the team with 536 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns, will also be a senior, and Robert Clark and Michaelee Harris will also provide depth as senior receiver themselves. Gerald Christian is back at tight end for his senior year, coming off of 426 yards and 4 touchdowns last season.
The offensive line returns nearly everybody. Last year’s three best linemen on the team, All-AAC performers Jake Smith at center, Jamon Brown at left tackle, and John Miller at left guard are all back for their senior seasons. Junior Ryan Mack is the fourth most experienced player on the unit, and he’s also back. Right Guard Kamran Joyer is the only departing starter at linemen, but he only started 11 games, and Chris Acosta is entering his senior season with some significant experience on the line. He should fill that void at right guard just fine.
If Gardner can handle Petrino’s system quickly, there’s enough skill and experience on this unit for it to be explosive, despite entering a tougher conference. Eventually that should happen as the year goes on, but the beginning of the season will probably be a little rough.