Defense Hits Paydirt Twice In Third Spring Gridiron Scrimmage
April 14, 2001 | Football
April 14, 2001
LOUISVILLE, KY -- The University of Louisville football team completed its third spring scrimmage with the defense scoring twice while keeping the offense out of the end zone.
Redshirt freshman safety Kerry Rhodes and sophomore cornerback Josh Minkins each went the distance with interceptions, scoring from 45 and 65 yards, respectively.
Overall, the defense kept the Cardinal offense out of the end zone including a stand inside the 10-yard line early in the scrimmage to force a field goal.
Junior quarterback Dave Ragone moved the Cardinals 65 yards to the five-yard line but was brought down on successive plays by Devon Thomas and Chad Lee to thwart the touchdown drive.
On the day, Ragone completed seven of 12 passes for 93 yards and was picked off by Minkins late in the scrimmage.
Redshirt freshman Stefan LeFors saw a majority of the time under center, completing nine of 20 throws for 108 yards. He was also intercepted once as Rhodes picked off the first of his two picks on the day.
Junior Damien Dorsey continued to play well at the wide receiver spot, catching a team-high five balls for 71 yards. Dorsey's over-the-shoulder grab for 30 yards on the scrimmage's first series got the Cardinals inside the 20-yard line. Following a seven-yard run by Tony Stallings, the defense stiffened and forced a 31-yard Brad Shushman field goal.
Defensively, the Cardinals sacked the quarterback six times led by Thomas and redshirt freshman Marcus Jones. Each tallied a pair of sacks on the day.
Junior running back Henry Miller led the running game with 31 yards on 10 carries while working with the second unit. Miller has slowly inched his way up the depth chart with a strong spring performance with the ankle injury to sophomore T.J. Patterson and inactivity of senior Chris Lester.
The kicking game accounted for four field goals with Shushman connecting from 31 and 42 yards out while sophomore Wade Tydlacka converted from 42 and 47 yards away.
The Cardinals will practice twice (Tuesday and Thursday) this week in preparation for next Saturday's annual Spring Game. The first 2,000 fans to attend the game will receive a free Pegasus Pin courtesy of Kroger.
A day full of activities are planned with U of L players and coaches holding a free non-contact clinic beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the practice fields north of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
The Cardinal Athletic Department will also hold an equipment and merchandise sale outside PJCS.
Following the game, fans can take part in a free autograph and photo session with Cardinal players and coaches on the PJCS playing surface.
Fans can also take part in Stadium-Fest which will feature food and live entertainment on the area surrounding PJCS.
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