Grantham Focused on Wins Not Rankings
October 16, 2014 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- University of Louisville defensive coordinator isn't looking at stats or rankings. He just wants to win.
"Honestly, I just want to win another game," defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. "We have a conference game at home. It's really about wins and we want to make sure that we can do our part and play to our potential and help our team win. That's been our focus, is executing the game plan to win the game."
That starts on Saturday when NC State visits Papa John's Cardinal Stadium for the first home since Sept. 27. The Wolfpack bring a balanced attack to the table, and the Cardinals know it's all about the next game.
"We face a team that gives you multiple looks," Grantham said of NC State. "They put up numbers on Florida State that were pretty impressive in that game, so we're well aware of that. We understand it's a new challenge.
The Cardinals, who lead the nation in run defense, will have to stop a solid NC State rushing attack led by Shadrach Thorton and Matt Dayes, who have combined to rush for 732 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett is a dynamic player who can make plays with his arm and feet. He has thrown for 1,574 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing for 148 yards.
"We've got to be able to stop the run," Grantham said. "Their quarterback can make some plays with his feet and throw the ball down the field so, you know, it's really about us executing and getting better. We just have to understand the game plan and go do it."
Despite leading the nation in almost every defensive category, Grantham knows this unit has room to improve. Louisville is yielding just 60.2 yards on the ground and 230.7 yards of total offense, which are eye-popping numbers, but Grantham still isn't satisfied.
"Well, we've got room to improve," Grantham said. "We've got a lot of ball games left. The thing of it is, we've got to take each week because each week's a new challenge. Each week's a new week from the standpoint of the team you're playing is a little different in what they do. So you've got to understand the nuances of that offense and how you've got to stop them. We just have to take it week by week and work to play our best every Saturday."
The Cards added an important piece to their lineup last week when Jermaine Reve made his first start. The addition of Reve has given the defensive staff flexibility to move Terell Floyd back to his accustomed cornerback position and Reve took Floyd's spot as the nickel back.
Reve responded with his first sack of the season and gave the Cardinals a lift on the defensive end.
"Well we can play Floyd inside or outside," Grantham said. "It gives you flexibility. I've always been a person who believed in cross training players to allow your best players to get on the field. Defense [is] about matchups and how to get the matchups you want, and really, this gives us flexibility to move guys around and play more people at different positions."
The Cardinals return home with an impressive streak under their belt. Since the third quarter of the Virginia game, UofL has kept the opposition out of the end zone for the last 17 quarters, a streak not seen since Alabama pulled the same feat in 2005.
"Well I think when you look back, that's something that hasn't really been done very much," Grantham said. "I think it's been done one other time, I think in 2005. So I think it's something these guys should be proud of, but then again, it's a week-by-week basis and it's all about winning the next game, and that'll be our focus. But [we're] certainly proud of that statistic because defense is about not letting the other team score."
The Cardinal defense has been stellar all season, putting up unbelievable numbers, but will face another challenge with a balanced Wolfpack attack. NC State makes their first appearance at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, the Cardinals hope it's one that they will never forget.
