Grantham and Kelsey Ready for Physical Battle with Pitt
November 19, 2015 | Football
Pitt is one of the most balanced teams in the nation, averaging 179.4 yards on the ground and 196.7 through the air.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham knows his nationally ranked defense will be in for a challenge when the Cardinals take on Pitt on Saturday in Heinz Field. Kickoff is set for 3:45 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN NEWS.
Based on their statistics, the Panthers are one of the most balanced teams the Cardinals have played this season, averaging 179.8 yards on the ground and 196.7 yards through the air. Grantham knows his team must be prepared for a 48-minute battle.
"When you watch Pitt, they are very physical up front," Grantham said. "They run a lot of traditional runs. They do a great job of getting movement at the point of attack with their double teams. They are physical. They are tough. They are aggressive."
Junior linebacker Keith Kelsey, who leads the team in tackles with 86, is also preparing himself for one of the most physical games of the season, but knows his defense must be strong at the point-of-attack.
"You know we have to come in as a team and be physical," Kelsey said. "They are a very big, physical team so we have to come in and be very physical with them."
Grantham wasn't overly concerned with his unit's defensive performance last week versus Virginia. Despite giving up 31 points, the Cardinals allowed just 354 yards of total offense, and Grantham was confident that if his defense cleaned up a few assignments, they would be fine.
"It goes to show you that there is a small line between playing very well and giving up some plays you don't want to give up," Grantham said. "First of all, your eyes have to be in the right spot, and if your eyes are in the right spot, you don't have guys running free down the middle of the field. If you take care of that, you eliminate quite a few plays.
They had good players who can make plays in space."
However, Grantham knows his defense must be better this weekend against Pitt's top playmakers. The Panthers have one of the top receivers in the country in Tyler Boyd, who has caught 69 passes for 700 yards and five scores, so Grantham wants his team to know where he is lined up at all times.
"He is a talented player," Grantham said of Boyd. "Schematically, they do a good job of finding ways to get him the ball. He has done a good job for them. You just have to have awareness of where he is at and be ready to make plays."
The Panthers are explosive offensive team, especially with the play-making ability of Boyd, but they have a solid quarterback in Nate Peterman, who has thrown for 1,776 yards and 14 touchdowns, while running back Qadree Ollison has rushed for 859 yards and nine scores.
"When you look at Pitt, they have some guys that can make some plays on the ball," Grantham said. "The last couple of games they have made some plays. Not only can they run it, they can stretch the field so we have to be ready to play both." Â
Rules and Regulations for Heinz Field
To provide a safer environment for the public and significantly expedite fan entry into stadiums, NFL teams will implement an NFL policy this year that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into stadiums.
Â
The NFL Committee on Stadium Security in May unanimously recommended the implementation of this measure that will enhance public safety and make it easier for fans to gain access to all stadiums. The recommendation was discussed with all 32 teams at a league meeting in May and will be implemented at all NFL stadiums beginning with preseason games.
Â
The NFL strongly encourages fans to not bring any type of bags, but outlined today what is permissible. Beginning with preseason games, fans will be able to carry the following style and size bag, package, or container at stadium plaza areas, stadium gates, or when approaching queue lines of fans awaiting entry into the stadium:
• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12." (Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are available through club merchandise outlets or at nflshop.com), or
Â
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
Â
• Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bag options.
Â
• An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose.
Â
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.
Â
Based on their statistics, the Panthers are one of the most balanced teams the Cardinals have played this season, averaging 179.8 yards on the ground and 196.7 yards through the air. Grantham knows his team must be prepared for a 48-minute battle.
"When you watch Pitt, they are very physical up front," Grantham said. "They run a lot of traditional runs. They do a great job of getting movement at the point of attack with their double teams. They are physical. They are tough. They are aggressive."
Junior linebacker Keith Kelsey, who leads the team in tackles with 86, is also preparing himself for one of the most physical games of the season, but knows his defense must be strong at the point-of-attack.
"You know we have to come in as a team and be physical," Kelsey said. "They are a very big, physical team so we have to come in and be very physical with them."
Grantham wasn't overly concerned with his unit's defensive performance last week versus Virginia. Despite giving up 31 points, the Cardinals allowed just 354 yards of total offense, and Grantham was confident that if his defense cleaned up a few assignments, they would be fine.
"It goes to show you that there is a small line between playing very well and giving up some plays you don't want to give up," Grantham said. "First of all, your eyes have to be in the right spot, and if your eyes are in the right spot, you don't have guys running free down the middle of the field. If you take care of that, you eliminate quite a few plays.
They had good players who can make plays in space."
However, Grantham knows his defense must be better this weekend against Pitt's top playmakers. The Panthers have one of the top receivers in the country in Tyler Boyd, who has caught 69 passes for 700 yards and five scores, so Grantham wants his team to know where he is lined up at all times.
"He is a talented player," Grantham said of Boyd. "Schematically, they do a good job of finding ways to get him the ball. He has done a good job for them. You just have to have awareness of where he is at and be ready to make plays."
The Panthers are explosive offensive team, especially with the play-making ability of Boyd, but they have a solid quarterback in Nate Peterman, who has thrown for 1,776 yards and 14 touchdowns, while running back Qadree Ollison has rushed for 859 yards and nine scores.
"When you look at Pitt, they have some guys that can make some plays on the ball," Grantham said. "The last couple of games they have made some plays. Not only can they run it, they can stretch the field so we have to be ready to play both." Â
Rules and Regulations for Heinz Field
To provide a safer environment for the public and significantly expedite fan entry into stadiums, NFL teams will implement an NFL policy this year that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into stadiums.
Â
The NFL Committee on Stadium Security in May unanimously recommended the implementation of this measure that will enhance public safety and make it easier for fans to gain access to all stadiums. The recommendation was discussed with all 32 teams at a league meeting in May and will be implemented at all NFL stadiums beginning with preseason games.
Â
The NFL strongly encourages fans to not bring any type of bags, but outlined today what is permissible. Beginning with preseason games, fans will be able to carry the following style and size bag, package, or container at stadium plaza areas, stadium gates, or when approaching queue lines of fans awaiting entry into the stadium:
• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12." (Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are available through club merchandise outlets or at nflshop.com), or
Â
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
Â
• Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bag options.
Â
• An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose.
Â
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.
Â
Players Mentioned
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