Strong Previews Saturday's Homecoming Game Against Memphis
October 04, 2010 | Football
Oct. 4, 2010
Press Conference Transcript in PDF Format 
Charlie Strong Audio | Adam Froman Audio
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville football head coach Charlie Strong and senior quarterback Adam Froman met with reporters on Monday to preview Saturday's homecoming game against Memphis. The Cardinals and Tigers are scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and the game will be shown live on ESPN3.com.
Last time out, Louisville ended a 10-game road losing streak in impressive fashion by defeating Arkansas State, 34-24, in Jonesboro, Ark., on Saturday. It was the Cardinals' first win away from home since a 35-28 victory over Memphis in 2008. The Cardinals offense put on a fireworks show, scoring a season-high 34 points, gaining 575 yards of total offense, including 308 yards through the air. Louisville put up 31 points in the first half and 393 yards of total offense in building a 31-7 half-time lead. The Red Wolves cut the advantage to 31-24, but a career-long 46-yard field goal by Chris Philpott with 3:54 remaining iced the game.
Louisville displayed a potent ground game with two 100-yard rushers and 267 rushing yards. Senior running back Bilal Powell tallied a career-high 157 yards, while junior Victor Anderson notched 108 yards. Powell had a 47-yard touchdown run on a fake punt in the second quarter to put Louisville in front 17-7. Powell also recorded his first receiving score on a 57-yard pass from senior quarterback Froman.
Froman had his best day as a Cardinal, completing 20-of-33 passes for 308 yards and a career-best three touchdown passes. He hooked up twice with junior wide out Josh Bellamy, who caught a career-high four receptions for 66 yards and his first two touchdown receptions of his career. Froman also hit Powell for a 57-yarder. Froman was 15-of-20 for 248 yards with three scores in the first half.
Despite giving up 24 points, Louisville forced four turnovers in the win, including an interception by senior cornerback Johnny Patrick and the first in the career of sophomore Shenard Holton. The Cardinals also recorded three sacks, but did give up 409 yards of total offense in the win. Junior linebacker Dexter Heyman was credited with a career-high 13 tackles.
In their last outing, the Tigers dropped to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in Conference USA with a 48-7 home loss to Tulsa Saturday.
The Series - Louisville and Memphis
The Cardinals and Tigers will meet for the 42nd time in school history when the two teams face off Saturday. The Cardinals own a 22-19 series lead and have won the last two meetings. Louisville handed Memphis a 35-28 setback in 2008 at Memphis and a 56-49 decision in 2004. In Memphis' last visit to Papa John's in 2003, the Tigers defeated Louisville, 37-7.
The Coaches
Charlie Strong (2-3), a 27-year veteran in the coaching ranks, is in his first full season as head coach of the Cardinals. Strong received his first head coaching job after spending the last seven years at the University of Florida, where he served as the defensive coordinator, winning a pair of national championships with the Gators. Strong served as the head coach of the Gators for the 2004 Peach Bowl after Ron Zook was fired - a 27-10 loss to Miami.
Larry Porter (1-4) has returned to his alma mater after being named the school's 22nd head football coach. Porter played for the Tigers in the 1990s and received his degree in 1996. A native of Jackson, Miss., Porter is returning to Memphis after spending the last five years on the LSU coaching staff. He had also worked three years with LSU coach Les Miles at Oklahoma State before joining Miles in Baton Rouge in 2005.
GAME FACTS - Louisville (2-2) vs. Memphis (1-4)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 9
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Site: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (55,000+), Louisville, Ky.
TV: ESPN3.com will stream the game
Radio: Paul Rogers (play-by-play), Stefan LeFors (analyst) and Doug Ormay (sideline) will call all the action on WHAS 840 AM
Also: SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Ch. 156
Rankings: Both teams are unranked in this week's national polls.
