#ReportCards: Offense Ready to the Challenge of the FSU Defense
October 13, 2015 | Football
Cards and 'Noles face off Saturday at noon.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tuesday means the first big work day for the University of Louisville football team in preparation for Saturday's crucual game with No. 8 Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla. Practicing in full pads, the Cardinals (2-3, 1-1 ACC) have a huge test in playing on the road against a team that has won 27-straight ACC games.
"We know we have a great challenge ahead of us going to Florida State and playing against a great football team, head coach Bobby Petrino said. "Obviously, our defense has a great challenge to try and stop a really, really good running back in Dalvin Cook. "I watched him on TV obviously like you all probably did the other night and he's extremely fast, extremely powerful."
Cook, who carried nine times for 110 yards, was instrumental in last season's 42-31 win over the Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The running back scored on a 40-yard run in the third quartetin the third quarter and added a 38-yard run late in the game to put the Seminoles ahead to stay.
The Cardinals will also face Everett Golson for the second time in two years, but with different teams. Golson quarterbacks Notre Dame last season before transferring to FSU. He will start against the Cardinals, and Petrino thinks Golson is operating at a different level.
"We are playing a quarterback that we're familiar with, you know a guy that we played against last year," Petrino said. "The one thing that he's done a great job this year is taking care of the football. They got good speed at the wide receiver and a good offensive line so it's a great challenge for our defense. Offensively, I think we have to work on our execution and be able to establish a running game."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jackson Improving in the Passing Game
There is no question that freshman quarterback Lamar Jackson can run. Being a true freshman, there has been an adjustment getting used to dropping back and throwing the football. He was 10-of-27 against NC State playing in inclement weather, but the week off was beneficial to making improvements in the passing game.
"Lamar can get a lot better," offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. "There isn't the pressure of installation for a game. you are really just installing for practice. We were able to just run some training-camp like drills. He got a lot better on his drops, sets and techniques. I think the bye week was beneficial for him."
Kenny Thomas Makes First Start
Offensive tackle Kenny Thomas made hi first career start versus NC State in the 20-13 win on Oct. 3. Thomas is just another talented freshmen to step into the starting lineup, and McGee thought the youngster from Prattville, Ala., made a good first start.
"Kenny was another one who did a great job for us," McGee said. "He doesn't know everything about how to play in a game. He needs to improve on his instincts. He is a big kid and he really hung in there and battled for us. He gave us an opportunity to win a tough road game."
Â
"We know we have a great challenge ahead of us going to Florida State and playing against a great football team, head coach Bobby Petrino said. "Obviously, our defense has a great challenge to try and stop a really, really good running back in Dalvin Cook. "I watched him on TV obviously like you all probably did the other night and he's extremely fast, extremely powerful."
Cook, who carried nine times for 110 yards, was instrumental in last season's 42-31 win over the Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The running back scored on a 40-yard run in the third quartetin the third quarter and added a 38-yard run late in the game to put the Seminoles ahead to stay.
The Cardinals will also face Everett Golson for the second time in two years, but with different teams. Golson quarterbacks Notre Dame last season before transferring to FSU. He will start against the Cardinals, and Petrino thinks Golson is operating at a different level.
"We are playing a quarterback that we're familiar with, you know a guy that we played against last year," Petrino said. "The one thing that he's done a great job this year is taking care of the football. They got good speed at the wide receiver and a good offensive line so it's a great challenge for our defense. Offensively, I think we have to work on our execution and be able to establish a running game."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jackson Improving in the Passing Game
There is no question that freshman quarterback Lamar Jackson can run. Being a true freshman, there has been an adjustment getting used to dropping back and throwing the football. He was 10-of-27 against NC State playing in inclement weather, but the week off was beneficial to making improvements in the passing game.
"Lamar can get a lot better," offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. "There isn't the pressure of installation for a game. you are really just installing for practice. We were able to just run some training-camp like drills. He got a lot better on his drops, sets and techniques. I think the bye week was beneficial for him."
Kenny Thomas Makes First Start
Offensive tackle Kenny Thomas made hi first career start versus NC State in the 20-13 win on Oct. 3. Thomas is just another talented freshmen to step into the starting lineup, and McGee thought the youngster from Prattville, Ala., made a good first start.
"Kenny was another one who did a great job for us," McGee said. "He doesn't know everything about how to play in a game. He needs to improve on his instincts. He is a big kid and he really hung in there and battled for us. He gave us an opportunity to win a tough road game."
Â
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
OL
/ FootballThe Card Tape: Boca Raton Bowl
Friday, December 26
FB: Bush's Boca Raton Bowl Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, December 24
The Card Tape: Kentucky (2025)
Monday, December 01
FB: Highlights vs. Kentucky
Sunday, November 30
