Defense Has Its Hands Full with Clemson's Explosive Offense

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - While the focus has been on the University of Louisville offense through the first four games, the Cardinals' defense has quietly gone about their business of shutting down the opposition's offenses.

With the UofL offense averaging 63.5 points per game and 682.0 yards of total offense, the defense reverted back to its ways of limiting big plays and getting off the field on third down. Louisville ranks in the top 10 in third-down defense.

Finishing in the top 20 over the last couple of seasons in total defense, the Cardinals have cracked those rankings again this year through the first four contests. Louisville limited Marshall to 59 yards passing last Saturday in the 59-28 win.

"I'm pleased with the way we played." Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. "We obviously had to change the game plan a little bit before the game, because the quarterback style changed, so we had to tweak some things that we were going to do just from a concept of 'we are probably going to see more runs than passes.' Guys did a good job at adjusting, but you know that's football.

The Cardinals will have to be on top of their game this weekend against an explosive Clemson offense that has been one of the best in the country over the last two seasons.

Despite Clemson's gaudy numbers, the Louisville defense limited the Tigers to 20 points last season at home in a three-point loss, but Grantham knows what his unit is about to face on Saturday.

"They obviously from an offensive prospective, in the championship game last year, they were pretty impressive," Grantham said. "You are going against 'Bama so they have a certain standard to uphold. I think they are talented; when you look at them, they are well coached."

"They've got guys that can make plays outside. They've got a hard-nose runner that's down-hill, they've got a quarterback that can pull the pin, and make some plays. I think we understand that it's a challenge for us and we are excited to play on Saturday."

Under center, the Tigers have one of the best in the country in Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson, who was first player in FBS history with at least 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season a year ago. Through four games in 2016, Watson has thrown for 996 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 120 yards.

"Well he's a tremendous player," Grantham said. "I was fortunate enough to recruit him coming out of high school, so anytime you face a guy that's got that kind of character and intangibles, you have to be balanced in what you are doing."

"You have to be able to mix it up a little bit, because he understands defense and understands where to go with the ball, so you know, we just try to be balanced with what we are doing and just try to make sure that we obviously can stop the run, and be physical there, but you don't want to give up explosive plays. "

The Cardinals have two of the most explosive pass-rushers in the country to try to limit Watson and the Clemson offense in junior James Hearns and senior Devonte Fields coming off the edge. A Tallahassee, Fla., native, Hearns leads the Cards with 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, while Fields, who has two sacks, has been playing at an extremely high level.

"There was a span in there, in the last game where Hearns got a sack that caused a fumble. Dee (Smith) came around the edge and batted the ball and Fields got an interception. That's what good players do; they make plays in critical situations."

"I think that they work hard in practice, they understand the game plan, they play fast, and when guys can play fast they generally can play up to their ability, and that's kind of the goal you want to have on defense."

If the Cards can play that kind of aggressive defense on Saturday versus Clemson, the offense, which has scored over 50 points in all four games, will likely do the rest.

University of Louisville Athletics

Defense Has Its Hands Full with Clemson's Explosive Offense

Players Mentioned

Devonte Fields

James Hearns

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