Football Preseason Pick to Win C-USA title

July 26, 2004

Dallas, Texas - The University of Louisville has been chosen to win the 2004 Conference USA football championship, according to the league's head coaches. The Cardinals received 106 of a possible 121 points. Memphis was second with 101 points, Southern Miss placed third with 100 and TCU ranked fourth with 99.

The last time the Cardinals won the C-USA title was back during the 2001 season.

The Cardinals finished 9-4 last season and is fueled by one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Nine starters return to an offensive unit that led C-USA in total offense (521.4 yards per game) and scoring offense (36.1 points per game) in 2003.

A pair of first team All-Conference performers from last year, QB Stefan LeFors and WR J.R. Russell, are joined on the preseason all-league offense by LT Travis Leffew. Cardinals DE Marcus Jones also received preseason recognition.

LeFors guided the Cardinal attack by throwing for 3,145 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Russell caught 75 passes for a school record 1,213 yards. Jones guided the Cardinal defense with a team-high 10 sacks.

The Cardinals begin practice on August 9.

2004 C-USA FOOTBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL
Predicted Order of Finish (1st place votes) Pts.1. Louisville (2) 1062. Memphis (3) 1013. Southern Miss (2) 1004. TCU (4) 995. Houston 706. UAB 617. USF 568. Cincinnati 459. Tulane 3910. East Carolina 3711. Army 12
First Team OffenseQB Stefan LeFors, LouisvilleRB Robert Merrill, TCURB DeAngelo Williams, MemphisOL Anthony Alabi, TCUOL Chase Johnson, TCUOL Travis Leffew, LouisvilleOL Jeremy Parquet, Southern MissOL Kyle Takavitz, CincinnatiWR Maurice Avery, MemphisWR J.R. Russell, LouisvilleWR Roydell Williams, TulaneTE Stephen Cucci, Houston
First Team DefenseDL Joe Clay, HoustonDL Trent Cole, CincinnatiDL Andre Frazier, CincinnatiDL Marcus Jones, LouisvilleLB Michael Boley, Southern MissLB Chris Moore, East CarolinaLB Zac Woodfin, UABDB Tra Boger, TulaneDB Marvin Godbolt, TCUDB Daven Holly, CincinnatiDB Wesley Smith, MemphisDB Mark Walker, TCU
First Team Special TeamsK Nick Hayes, UABP Ryan Dougherty, East CarolinaKR John Eubanks, Southern MissPR Marvin Young, Southern Miss
Offensive Player of the YearDeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
Defensive Player of the YearMichael Boley, LB, Southern Miss
Special Teams Player of the YearJohn Eubanks, KR, Southern Miss

University of Louisville Athletics

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