Defense Focuses on Stopping the Big Play
September 19, 2012 | Football
Sept. 19, 2012
Vance Bedford | Hakeem Smith | Calvin Pryor
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Defense has been the strong suit for the University of Louisville over the last three years under head coach Charlie Strong and defensive coordinator Vance Bedford. However, through the first three games, the defense hasn't put up the numbers like it has in previous seasons.
The Cardinals are yielding just 18.3 points per game, but are coming off a performance where they allowed 27 second-half points in a 39-34 win over North Carolina last Saturday. U of L gave up over 410 yards, including 363 through the air.
Teams have come out throwing the football against the Cardinals so far. Through three games, teams have passed 120 times in attempts to test the Cardinals' defensive backs.
"People are trying our secondary because I guess they think we are still too young," said Hakeem Smith. "They are going to attack us, which is why we had to make a lot of plays this year."
Most defenses want to be solid up the middle, and the Cardinals might have the two best safeties in the country in Calvin Pryor and Smith. They are two top tacklers for the Cardinals this season, and Pryor is tied for second nationally with three forced fumbles.
"I think they are playing extremely well," said Bedford about the tandem of Pryor and Smith. "They are doing a lot of good things. Hakeem is going on his third year as a starter and Calvin started four games last year and it appears like he has been starting for two years. We are really excited about their progress and hope we can continue to see good things."
Last season, the Cardinals dropped a 24-17 decision to FIU last season at home and were victimized by a pair of long touchdowns passes. Louisville has been hurt by big plays so far this season, as North Carolina had a pair of 50+ yard touchdowns last weekend.
"We gave up four big plays in the last game and gave up four touchdowns," said Bedford. "If we can continue to cut down on the big plays, our chances of winning are going to continue to improve as long as the offense keeps going like they are rolling, which they are doing a great job right now."
T.Y. Hilton had a more-than-solid performance against the Cardinals last year with a pair of long touchdown receptions in the loss at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, but he is in the National Football League. However, Bedford is aware that FIU has a lot of explosiveness left on the roster.
"They still have some good players," said Bedford of FIU. "(Wayne) Times is the T.Y. Hilton for them this year. He is playing really well. I'm concerned about him and tackling him in space. He is a very shifty guy if he catches the ball."
The Cardinals must be on their game this weekend to avenge last season's loss to FIU, and Hakeem Smith is very aware of their talents.
"They have a quarterback who is going to try and make plays with the ball," said Smith. "He is a big key. They have a receiver that we have also have to key, and the quarterback likes to get the ball to him."
Louisville will have its hands full again in trying to stop a potent and efficient offense, but this year the Cardinals will remember what hurt them last year, and ensure they do not make the same mistakes. If they do, the results will likely be the same.
