Cardinals Compete in Wendy's Wonderful Kids' Spring Game
April 15, 2011 | Football
April 15, 2011
Box Score 
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Spring Game Highlights
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville football team wrapped up its 2011 spring drills with the annual Wendy's Wonderful Kids' Spring Game on Friday evening.
The first half featured two 15:00 quarters with normal game stoppages while the second half featured two 15:00 quarters with a running clock. The first-team offense squared off against the second-team offense on the scoreboard. However, due to multiple injuries many offensive players saw action on both the first team and second team. The first-team offense finished with 31 points while the second-team offense scored 14 points.
"During the spring practice, I know there were a lot of injuries, but it was really great for the guys who came and competed," said head coach Charlie Strong. "We were able to get better and we were able to find depth. If you look at our defensive front, we didn't have the starting guys from a year ago, but it was good to see us take Marcus Smith and move him from a linebacker to defensive end. Randy Salmon had an outstanding spring; Jermaine Brooks came in here to win. "
Numerous players stepped up offensively for the Cardinals, who only saw two of their four returning offensive starters see action on Friday night. Will Stein paced the offense completing 10-of-17 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. The junior added 37 yards on eight carries. Victor Anderson added 72 yards on six carries with two scores, including a 58-yard run in the second quarter. Stephan Robinson and Scott Radcliff combined for six catches and 112 yards while Josh Bellamy, Josh Chichester and Chris White found the back of the end zone.
Defensively, the Cardinals did not miss a beat from their 2010 season, which saw the Cardinals finish 14th in total defense, ninth in passing defense and 18th in scoring defense. Agyei Williams picked off two passes while Jordon Paschal added a third interception. Collectively, the defense recorded seven sacks on the night led by Salmon, who notched two. Shenard Holton added a fumble recovery giving the defense four takeaways on the night.
The first-team offense marched down the field on the opening drive of the night, moving 65 yards in just 10 plays. Anderson found the end zone on a two yard dash which was set up by Stein's 22 yard scramble. Stein rushed for 32 yards on three carries on the opening drive.
The defense continued its dominance following the interception when Brooks sacked Stein on third down. The first-team offense started at the defense's 10 yard line, but was forced to settle for a 35 yard Chris Philpott field goal.
The defense went on to control the game forcing four consecutive three-and-outs with two by each offense. On the four drives, the two offenses gained just 11 yards. The defense continued to make plays when Brandon Golson sacked Bridgewater and Smith sacked Stein for a 10-yard loss on a third and three.
The second-team offense broke up the defense's streak when Perry dashed for eight yards up the middle, but Anderson responded with an explosive 58-yard run to expand the first team offense's lead to 17 following a 12-yard strike from Bridgewater to Jarrett Davis. Moments later, Stein found Chichester on a 16-yard touchdown strike. Paschal recorded the defense's third interception of the half with 30 seconds remaining. However the second team offense got on the board when Stein found Bellamy for an 11-yard touchdown strike.
The first-team offense picked up right where if left off in the second half marching right down the field for their fourth touchdown of the day when Perry crossed the goal line after a four-yard run. Stein found Robinson twice on the drive for 13 yards.
The second-team offense stormed right back when Bridgewater found White on an 11-yard strike. Bridgewater, who completed a 20 yard pass to Kai Dominguez and two passes to Radcliff for 20 yards earlier in the drive, finished 4-of-6 for 51 yards on the drive. Kamal Hogan added an 18-yard rush on third down to keep the drive moving.
The defense retook over the game forcing a fumble which was forced by Tyon Dixon and Justin Gilmore later stopped Thaddeus Franklin on fourth down. The Cardinals open the 2011 season with a 6 p.m. home contest against Murray State on Thursday, Sept. 1. The game will be aired on ESPNU.
