Cardinals Celebrate Christmas Eve with Two-Hour Practice
December 24, 2011 | Football
Dec. 24, 2011
Charlotte, N.C. - While most people were prepping for the Christmas holiday, the University of Louisville football team continued bowl preparations for the Belk Bowl against NC State on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 8 p.m.
The Cardinals conducted a two-hour work out at Charlotte Latin High School. Under sunny skies and perfect weather for football, the Louisville players showed great emotion and focus in preparation for their second straight bowl game.
Head coach Charlie Strong said after practice that he was happy how far the offense has come during the second part of the season.
"The more we grew, and the more we jelled together, the better our offense became," said Strong following the team's third workout in Charlotte. "In the beginning of the year, we had all the injury to Mario Benavides and we were trying to piece things together. We were playing two freshmen at guard, and the tackles were young. But the offense has continued to jell and it has gotten better each week. Teddy Bridgewater has grown up so much. He has so much poise and he puts us in the right plays.
The Cardinals had a special team dinner this evening, where the seniors were presented with their jerseys and the seniors talked about their experiences at Louisville.
It's a new tradition that Strong started a year ago at the Beef 'O'Brady's Bowl. He wants to make sure that tradition of players getting their jerseys at the bowl games continues each year.
The Cardinals will practice again on Christmas Day at Noon before coming together as an entire program for a special Christmas Dinner.
