Cardinals Conduct Final Scrimmage before Spring Game
April 07, 2012 | Football
April 7, 2012
LOUISVILLE -- - The University of Louisville football team conducted its last major scrimmage on Saturday morning before next week's Red-White game on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
Head coach Charlie Strong put the Cardinals through a physical two-hour scrimmage on the practice fields. Strong pitted his first units against each other, while the second units also faced off versus each other.
The defense got off to a strong start, forcing three straight three and outs before the offense got going behind a strong running game. Running back Senorise Perry, who played sparingly at running back last season, was the star of the scrimmage, having a huge day on the ground, which included a 75-yard run for a touchdown.
Jeremy Wright, Dominique Brown and Corvin Lamb all carried for over 45 yards. Perry had a team-best 17 carries, while Brown and Lamb each toted the football 12 times. Lamb had the only turnover of the game when he fumbled in the red zone.
Both quarterbacks played pretty well on Saturday. Bridgewater threw for over 170 yards, while Will Stein scrambled for a couple of touchdowns and also threw one touchdown pass to tight end Gerald Christian. Bridgewater threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to DeVante Parker, who freed himself with a great move to the inside.
"Both sides made plays this morning," said Bridgewater after practice on Saturday. "We were able to move the football at times and the defense stepped up and made plays. It was a good competition out there today. Our offensive line gave me some time to throw and we got the ball down the field. We also ran the football pretty well. I thought everyone ran the football well today."
Placekickers John Wallace and Andrew Fletcher booted short field goals in the morning. Wallace connected from 22 and Fletcher from 27 yards. The Wallace field goal was the result of a Kamal Hogan sack after the Cardinals drove the ball to the goal line.
Cornerback Terell Floyd continues to have a good spring as he narrowly missed a pair of interceptions for the defense, who played fast and with a lot of emotion. Defensive linemen Brandon Dunn, Marcus Smith and Lorenzo Mauldin were active upfront.
"I feel like the defensive line has really progressed," said defensive line coach Clint Hurtt. "I feel like they have done a lot of good things. Brandon Dunn has really changed his body. He has dropped some weight and has been really productive, and has really improved from last year. He and Marcus Smith have really made tremendous strides, as has B.J. Dubose. I'm proud of them as a group. Our second group of defensive tackles in Hunter Stout and Dominique Dishmon have gone out and competed. We have done a good job. There have been some runs that have been popped. As a front seven, we have to get on the same page."
The Cardinals return to the practice field on Monday afternoon for a 4 p.m. workout. The Red-White game is slated for Saturday at 1 p.m.
