Big Plays a Large Part of Saturday's Scrimmage
April 05, 2014 | Football
April 5, 2014
Big plays were the name of the game as the University of Louisville football program conducted its second major scrimmage of the spring on Saturday morning inside Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
The Cardinals showed an explosive offense and an ability to get to the quarterback during the 120+ plays on Junior Day on campus. While the offense highlighted the scrimmage with a number of explosive plays, the defense showed an ability to get to the quarterback.
"I have been waiting for a couple of weeks for the big plays to pop up," Petrino said after Saturday's scrimmage. "We had a lot of big runs after the catch or running backs breaking tackles. The offensive line was finishing blocks and wide receivers did a good job blocking down field. I thought we made some strides forward on offense with the ability to make big plays."
The Cardinals had a number of big offensive plays in the scrimmage. Running back Dominique Brown had a long run for a touchdown and Michael Dyer also had a couple of long rushes. Wide receiver DeVante Parker made a long catch and run, while James Quick dazzled the spectators with a long run. Eli Rogers was the team's leading receiver and showed an ability to make big plays in the passing game.
"We got out there and the offensive line did a great job today," Brown said. "The wide receivers did a great job digging out safeties as well, but it starts with the offensive line."
Brown should the ability to make big plays in the running game, but the 233-pounder was able to convert on a number of short-yardage situations.
"I think we had a good day in the running back room," Brown said. "Myself, Dyer and L.J. Scott pretty much ran hard and ran behind our pads. We can't get complacent or come out and take a play off."
While the defense gave up a number of big plays, Petrino was pleased with the way the players were able to put pressure on the quarterback.
"We're showing that we can really rush the passer, we're good at that," Bobby Petrino said afterward. "Sometimes there are sacks out there, but we continue to let the play go on, so other guys get work."
The Cardinals only have two practices left practices until Friday's spring game, but Petrino has been pleased with how much the team has been able to learn over the last couple of weeks. The players have had a lot thrown at them in recent weeks, but they are starting to feel a little more comfortable on the learning process.
"Last week was kind of whirlwind with a lot of things thrown at us, but this week guys really cracked down and got in the play book and really honed in on their craft and we came out today and showed it," defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said. "We still have a lot we can still work on, but there were a lot of good things today."
Petrino credited defensive coordinator Todd Grantham for the pressure the Cardinals put on the quarterback today.
"Those guys can come off the rock," Petrino said. "They're really talented guys that know how to come off the ball. Their experience shows up." With the switch to more of a 3-4 defense, a lot of the pressure has fallen on the linebackers.
"The defense knows the plays better," middle linebacker Keith Kelsey said following the scrimmage. "Everybody has been in their play books and learning their assignments, so they let us play faster today.
"It was difficult the first couple of weeks because we had a whole bunch of things flying at us - different schemes, different names - but, now that we have become more comfortable with it we are playing faster as a defense."
The Cardinals will return for their final week of spring practice on Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
