2012 Football Season Officially Underway
August 03, 2012 | Football
Aug. 3, 2012
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Under hot and humid temperatures, the University of Louisville football team opened the 2012 season under high expectations with a two-hour practice Friday afternoon on the practice fields of the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex.
Head coach Charlie Strong and 104 players took the field under high expectations and an abundance of returning talent. The Cardinals return a total of 18 starters from a BIG EAST title team.
Louisville, which was picked to win the BIG EAST this season, advanced to its consecutive bowl game under Strong a season ago. Fans came out in droves Friday evening to get their first glimpse of the Cardinals.
Approximately 1,400 fans stood on the sidelines, and that excitement didn't go unnoticed by the players.
"Last year, we struggled at home," said sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. "So, it was good to come out here and give the fans something to watch. There was a great crowd out there today, and it was so exciting to see how many actually showed up to support us."
Entering his third season, Strong likes the look of his squad on the field.
"They are definitely bigger and stronger than when I got here three years ago," said Strong. "We had a good off-season program and I'm pleased with the conditioning of the players. It was extremely hot out there today, but it looked we were in great shape."
The Cardinals will hit the field again on Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. for the last open practice before the Cardinals shut it down to get ready for the Sept. 2 opener versus Kentucky.
Weight Gain: Sophomore Teddy Bridgewater says he has put on 27 pounds since the end of last season.
Freshman Starter: Freshman linebacker Keith Brown team with Preston Brown and Daniel Brown at linebacker. Junior Preston Brown said "it was a Brown out at linebacker today."
Injury Update: Freshmen offensive lineman Sid Anvoots and quarterback Will Gardner have suffered injuries and will miss most of the 2012 season, Strong announced after practice.
