Strong Previews BIG EAST Road Game Against Connecticut
November 14, 2011 | Football
Nov. 14, 2011
| PRESS CONFERENCE | SATURDAY GAME INFORMATION |
| FREE AUDIO | Matchup: Louisville (5-5, 3-2) vs. Connecticut (4-5, 2-2) |
| Strong | Dunn | Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 19 / Noon |
| FREE VIDEO | Site: Rentschler Field (40,000) |
| Strong | Dunn | TV: BIG EAST Network (WHAS-TV in Louisville) |
| PODCAST | TV Talent: Mike Gleason (pbp), John Congemi (color) |
| Podcasts Here | Radio: WHAS (840/790 WKRD); SIRIUS Ch. 128/XM Ch. 203 |
| GAME NOTES | Radio Talent: Paul Rogers (pbp), Tony Stallings (color), Doug Ormay (sidelines) |
| Louisville vs. Connecticut Notes | |
| SELECTED QUOTES: Charlie Strong | Brandon Dunn | |
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Head coach Charlie Strong always talks about "it being about today, not tomorrow." The Cardinals spoiled their 'today' last Saturday against Pittsburgh on Senior Day at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
Despite a late comeback attempt, the young Cardinals faltered in a 21-14 loss to the Panthers at home, making it a two-game season for the Cardinals if they want to get to post-season play and remain in the race for a BIG EAST title. The first opportunity comes Saturday, Nov. 19, at East Hartford, Conn., against the Huskies. The game will be televised on the BIG EAST Network (WHAS-TV in Louisville).
Coupled by the loss to Pittsburgh and West Virginia defeating Cincinnati, the Cardinals wasted a prime opportunity to capture first place in the BIG EAST standings. Louisville couldn't handle prosperity again, writing the same script from the loss to Marshall after the emotional win over Kentucky. However, Louisville came out flat and let an opportunity slip through its grasp.
"Sometimes guys just take for granted that when we are home we are going to go win," Strong said. "It hasn't happened in two years. I said, `Our home record is not very good, so why would you not think you have to go get ready to go play?' Senior Day had nothing to do with it. I said, `OK, it's senior day. You should really want to go play for the seniors and the seniors should want to go play for themselves.'"
With both remaining regular-season games on the road, the Cardinals face a tremendous challenge to become bowl eligible for the second-straight year and move the program forward.
The Cardinals, who are 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the BIG EAST, were sluggish offensively, netting only 280 yards, and for the second-straight week. The defense gave up chunks of yardage, this time allowing 396 yards after giving up 533 versus West Virginia the week prior.
Louisville travels to Connecticut to face the Huskies, who are 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the league, and have won three of the last four meetings in the series. The Cardinals defeated Connecticut 26-0 last season at home, the school's first BIG EAST shutout since joining the league in 2005.
The Huskies, who had the week off, are coming off a 28-21 win over Syracuse on Nov. 5. Offensively, Connecticut is touted as a physical team upfront and loves to run the football, and defensively, is built to stop the run. Connecticut averages 40 rushes per game on offense and is ranked in the top 10 nationally against the run, allowing just 89.9 yards per game.
"We have a good matchup on Saturday against a very physical football team," Strong said. "We have to play with emotion and passion, which we didn't do that last Saturday. We have to get our mindset changed and get the leaders to go lead this team. (Lyle) McCombs is right at 1,000 yards. They want to run the football. It's a very physical and tough team. Defensively, they are big upfront. They don't do much movement, but they are just so big and strong. We are going to get tested on Saturday. We will get to see if we can run the football and see if we can stop them from running the football."
Louisville struggled in all three phases of the game, including defensively, where the Cardinals were ranked in the top 20 nationally. Pittsburgh ran for 200 yards and controlled the line of scrimmage and took the opening drive 80 yards for a score and never looked back.
"We just weren't ready to play," Strong commented. "You have to be locked in and focused, and we weren't on Saturday. I noticed it with guys joking around and laughing during Card March. We had guys horse playing around when coaches are trying to talk. You see a group of guys talking. We started practice on Tuesday and there were all kinds of mistakes. Then on Wednesday, when you see it again, you know you have an issue. You know it right away and you can see it."
Louisville, however, has been able to rebound. After losing to FIU, the Cardinals traveled to Lexington and knocked off Kentucky. After a 2-4 start, the Cardinals rebounded to win three straight.
"What's been good about this team is how they have responded after a loss," Strong stated. "We try to show them the issues. Offensively, we had two penalties that hurt us with the chop-block that really set us. The good thing, once a player sees it, they can correct it. Last night, they came out focused and looked like they are ready to go play."
With just two opportunities left to become bowl eligible, time is running out and there aren't many more chances to learn lessons. The time is now.
