#ReportCards: Burgess and Kelsey Have Friendly Competition; TV Information
November 12, 2015 | Football
The two linebackers are leading the way in tackles
University of Louisville linebackers Keith Kelsey and James Burgess built a special bond on and off the field that can never be taken away.
Playing alongside side each other for the last three seasons, the duo, who have proclaimed themselves the "Bash Brothers,"  has seen many highs and lows during their time together, but the love they have for one another has always remained high.
"We've built a great relationship not only on the field, but off the field," Kelsey said after Wednesday's practice. "We always competed and just helped each other out on the field. It's been a great ride. This is the last home game (for Burgess), and time flies."
Competing on one of the nation's best run defense, Burgess and Kelsey are in the midst of a battling it out for the overall tackle lead. After nine games, Kelsey owns a two-tackle lead (72-70), but Burgess will not be going down without a fight.
"There's a friendly competition," Burgess said. "We go back and forth all the time about our tackles."
While Kelsey has one more year with the Cardinals, it will be the last time for James Burgess to play in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. It will also be the last time the dynamic duo of Burgess and Keith Kelsey, a junior, will be playing at home with one another.
"Senior Day means a lot," Burgess said. "The seniors have put a lot into this program. This is our last home game and it's a game to be bowl eligible so it's more than just the seniors, it's for the team and the program."
Burgess, who has exhausted his eligibility after this season, will play his final home game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. It's hard to imagine for Burgess that his four years is up, but will leave with a lot of great memories and friendships.
"Haven't put much thought into it right now," Burgess said of Senior Day. "My parents and family are coming. It's my last game as a Louisville Cardinal. It means a lot. It's going to be a very emotional game. We just have to end it with a victory."
 "I will remember the friendships you build in college," Burgess added. "The friendships you have now will last you for the rest of your life. The relationships and the friendships I've made is what I will miss the most."
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who has been with the Cardinals for two seasons, said Kelsey and Burgess' friendly banter is an example of a strong chemistry within U of L's entire defense.
"There's competition to make plays, which is a good thing," Grantham said. "Competition makes everyone better. They enjoy seeing other people make plays, and they embrace that and celebrate with their teammates. I think there's a genuine care for each other, a belief for each other. All of that is fuel to be stronger as a unit. "
Grantham would love to send out his senior class out with a victory and continue to build upon the two outstanding seasons his defense has put together, relying heavily on a number of seniors.
 "First of all, you want to honor them by preparing during the week," defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. "You generally remember the last game in your stadium. These guys have embraced me since I've been here. They have taken what we do and have worked really hard."
Kelsey leads the Cards with 72 tackles, one more than Burgess. Kelsey is No. 10 in tackles in the ACC, and Burgess is No. 11.
Senior Day:  Head coach Bobby Petrino said, along with the 13 seniors going through Senior Day, three other players in offensive lineman T.C. Klusman, cornerback Kevin Houchins and linebacker Royce Donovan  will also participate in senior day ceremonies. Senior Day activities will begin at 12:10 p.m.
Klusman has been U of L's backup center and started against Samford and NC State. Houchins and Donovan haven't played this season.
TV Information: The Louisville-Virginia game will be broadcast as part of the RSN package, which is a collection of 13 Regional Sports Networks Georgia Tech at Virginia. Wes Durham (play-by-play), James Bates (analyst) and Jenn Hildreth (sidelines) will announce game. The game can be seen on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, ESPN3, FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports Florida, FOX Sports Indiana Plus, FOX Sports North Plus, FOX Sports San Diego
Delayed to 2am ET/11pm PT, Fox Sports South, FOX Sports Southwest Plus, MSG Plus, New England Sports Network Plus, ROOT Sports Pittsburgh, SportsTime Ohio
Playing alongside side each other for the last three seasons, the duo, who have proclaimed themselves the "Bash Brothers,"  has seen many highs and lows during their time together, but the love they have for one another has always remained high.
"We've built a great relationship not only on the field, but off the field," Kelsey said after Wednesday's practice. "We always competed and just helped each other out on the field. It's been a great ride. This is the last home game (for Burgess), and time flies."
Competing on one of the nation's best run defense, Burgess and Kelsey are in the midst of a battling it out for the overall tackle lead. After nine games, Kelsey owns a two-tackle lead (72-70), but Burgess will not be going down without a fight.
"There's a friendly competition," Burgess said. "We go back and forth all the time about our tackles."
While Kelsey has one more year with the Cardinals, it will be the last time for James Burgess to play in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. It will also be the last time the dynamic duo of Burgess and Keith Kelsey, a junior, will be playing at home with one another.
"Senior Day means a lot," Burgess said. "The seniors have put a lot into this program. This is our last home game and it's a game to be bowl eligible so it's more than just the seniors, it's for the team and the program."
Burgess, who has exhausted his eligibility after this season, will play his final home game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. It's hard to imagine for Burgess that his four years is up, but will leave with a lot of great memories and friendships.
"Haven't put much thought into it right now," Burgess said of Senior Day. "My parents and family are coming. It's my last game as a Louisville Cardinal. It means a lot. It's going to be a very emotional game. We just have to end it with a victory."
 "I will remember the friendships you build in college," Burgess added. "The friendships you have now will last you for the rest of your life. The relationships and the friendships I've made is what I will miss the most."
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who has been with the Cardinals for two seasons, said Kelsey and Burgess' friendly banter is an example of a strong chemistry within U of L's entire defense.
"There's competition to make plays, which is a good thing," Grantham said. "Competition makes everyone better. They enjoy seeing other people make plays, and they embrace that and celebrate with their teammates. I think there's a genuine care for each other, a belief for each other. All of that is fuel to be stronger as a unit. "
Grantham would love to send out his senior class out with a victory and continue to build upon the two outstanding seasons his defense has put together, relying heavily on a number of seniors.
 "First of all, you want to honor them by preparing during the week," defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. "You generally remember the last game in your stadium. These guys have embraced me since I've been here. They have taken what we do and have worked really hard."
Kelsey leads the Cards with 72 tackles, one more than Burgess. Kelsey is No. 10 in tackles in the ACC, and Burgess is No. 11.
Senior Day:  Head coach Bobby Petrino said, along with the 13 seniors going through Senior Day, three other players in offensive lineman T.C. Klusman, cornerback Kevin Houchins and linebacker Royce Donovan  will also participate in senior day ceremonies. Senior Day activities will begin at 12:10 p.m.
Klusman has been U of L's backup center and started against Samford and NC State. Houchins and Donovan haven't played this season.
TV Information: The Louisville-Virginia game will be broadcast as part of the RSN package, which is a collection of 13 Regional Sports Networks Georgia Tech at Virginia. Wes Durham (play-by-play), James Bates (analyst) and Jenn Hildreth (sidelines) will announce game. The game can be seen on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, ESPN3, FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports Florida, FOX Sports Indiana Plus, FOX Sports North Plus, FOX Sports San Diego
Delayed to 2am ET/11pm PT, Fox Sports South, FOX Sports Southwest Plus, MSG Plus, New England Sports Network Plus, ROOT Sports Pittsburgh, SportsTime Ohio
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