#ReportCards: Defense Prepares for BC's Powerful Running Game
October 22, 2015 | Football
Louisville returns home for the first time in a month to face Boston College.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After a month away from home, the University of Louisville football team returns home to face Boston College on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The Cardinals played a pair of road games at NC State and Florida State before retuning home this weekend.
The Cardinals, who split the two road contests, face a physical Boston College squad, who ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense and are averaging over 200 yards a game running the football.
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is hoping his defense will put together two strong halves after a disappointing third and fourth quarters last week against Florida State. After holding the Seminoles to zero yards rushing, the Cards allowed 133 yards on the ground and 35-second-half points in the 41-21 loss to the 'Noles.
"The thing that was so frustrating was how great we played in the first half," Grantham said. "What we've got to learn is it takes four quarters, it takes a second half. I think it also shows you there is a small difference in being really, really good and not being where you want to be. ... When you play a team that's that talented and a guy (like Cook) that can get a seam and make things happen, you get some results like you got on Saturday."
Grantham Talks About Stopping Boston College
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham talked to his defense following practice on Wednesday about being ready for a physical offense that prides themselves on running the football. The Eagles are averaging 206.1 yards on the ground and look to estblish the run.
"When you look at them, they prode themselves at being a physical team that starts with the physical identity of the head coach," Grantham said.. "They will try to pound you and wear you down. They will trst your discipline and mental toughness because their quarterback is a read-option guy. . We have to understand they want to play physical and they want to try and run the football. We have to be redy."
Linebacker to Sit out First Half:
Junior linebacker Keith Brown will sit out the first half after being called for targeting in the third quarter of the loss to Florida State. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said the Cards have practiced all week with Brown in and out of the lineup.,Grantham will use a combination of linebackers DeVonte Fields and Trevon Young and also rotate defensive end James Hearns into the rotation.
Rankins Ready for a Battle
Defensive end Sheldon Rankins knows what to expect from Boston College after having the opportunity to face them last season in Boston,Mass. As a defensive lineman, Rankins is excited to know a team will try to lineup against him and attack him at the line of scrimmage.
"They want to line up and run the ball," Rankins said. "They are physical and tough, We know we have to come out and establish the line of scrimmage They want to line up in 22-personnel and run the ball down your throat."
Cards will Honor Hall of Fame Inductees
Six outstanding individuals will be inducted into the University of Louisville Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 23 in the Brown & Williamson Club of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The group will be honored at the end of the first qiarter. The list includes Deion Branch, a receiver for the Cardinals' football team who later was named MVP of the Super Bowl; Herbert Crook, a starting forward on UofL's 1986 NCAA Championship team who is among the Cardinals' career scoring and rebounding leaders; Sonya Gubaidulina Karmazin, an All-American volleyball player for the Cardinals who is ninth in career kills at UofL; Christy Hershey Allman, a four-year starter at goalkeeper for the Cardinals' field hockey team and a two-time All-American; Mark Jurich, an All-American outfielder for the Cardinals who is among the Cardinals career power hitting leaders; and Sara Nord, the Cardinals' all-time assist leader in women's basketball.
The Cardinals, who split the two road contests, face a physical Boston College squad, who ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense and are averaging over 200 yards a game running the football.
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is hoping his defense will put together two strong halves after a disappointing third and fourth quarters last week against Florida State. After holding the Seminoles to zero yards rushing, the Cards allowed 133 yards on the ground and 35-second-half points in the 41-21 loss to the 'Noles.
"The thing that was so frustrating was how great we played in the first half," Grantham said. "What we've got to learn is it takes four quarters, it takes a second half. I think it also shows you there is a small difference in being really, really good and not being where you want to be. ... When you play a team that's that talented and a guy (like Cook) that can get a seam and make things happen, you get some results like you got on Saturday."
Grantham Talks About Stopping Boston College
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham talked to his defense following practice on Wednesday about being ready for a physical offense that prides themselves on running the football. The Eagles are averaging 206.1 yards on the ground and look to estblish the run.
"When you look at them, they prode themselves at being a physical team that starts with the physical identity of the head coach," Grantham said.. "They will try to pound you and wear you down. They will trst your discipline and mental toughness because their quarterback is a read-option guy. . We have to understand they want to play physical and they want to try and run the football. We have to be redy."
Linebacker to Sit out First Half:
Junior linebacker Keith Brown will sit out the first half after being called for targeting in the third quarter of the loss to Florida State. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said the Cards have practiced all week with Brown in and out of the lineup.,Grantham will use a combination of linebackers DeVonte Fields and Trevon Young and also rotate defensive end James Hearns into the rotation.
Rankins Ready for a Battle
Defensive end Sheldon Rankins knows what to expect from Boston College after having the opportunity to face them last season in Boston,Mass. As a defensive lineman, Rankins is excited to know a team will try to lineup against him and attack him at the line of scrimmage.
"They want to line up and run the ball," Rankins said. "They are physical and tough, We know we have to come out and establish the line of scrimmage They want to line up in 22-personnel and run the ball down your throat."
Cards will Honor Hall of Fame Inductees
Six outstanding individuals will be inducted into the University of Louisville Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 23 in the Brown & Williamson Club of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The group will be honored at the end of the first qiarter. The list includes Deion Branch, a receiver for the Cardinals' football team who later was named MVP of the Super Bowl; Herbert Crook, a starting forward on UofL's 1986 NCAA Championship team who is among the Cardinals' career scoring and rebounding leaders; Sonya Gubaidulina Karmazin, an All-American volleyball player for the Cardinals who is ninth in career kills at UofL; Christy Hershey Allman, a four-year starter at goalkeeper for the Cardinals' field hockey team and a two-time All-American; Mark Jurich, an All-American outfielder for the Cardinals who is among the Cardinals career power hitting leaders; and Sara Nord, the Cardinals' all-time assist leader in women's basketball.
Players Mentioned
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