Grantham Prepares Defense For Tough Challenge Versus Texas A&M
December 15, 2015 | Football
Cards ready for fast-paced Aggie offense in Music City Bowl
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - LOUISVILLE, Ky – University of Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has faced a lot of big-time offenses during his time as a defensive coordinator, and his UofL defense will face another challenge in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 in Nashville, Tenn.
The Aggies' offense is very talented with a lot of weapons, and the second-year coordinator expects a high-tempo test in the upcoming bowl game.
"They like to run the ball probably more than people think, they have always had good offensive linemen," Grantham said. "They are physical up front so when you spread guys out and you are physical up front, you have the ability to create seams for your runner as well as if you are trying to load the box, you can throw it outside to guys that can make plays one-on one. So I think it is a combination of all of that, which allows them to be effective."
The Cardinals' defense ranks 15th nationally in total defense and 13th in rushing yards allowed, and have faced some of top offenses in the nation in Houston, Clemson and Florida State, and Grantham know his players must remain focused.
"First of all I think that is a credit to our players, their ability to keep grinding and keep working. There is not a lot of difference between playing really good and not the way you want to," Grantham said. "So I think that is really a credit to our players and just keep believing in the system and what you are doing and understand here are the things you have got to do to fix what just happened."
The Cardinals, who have been off for the last two weeks, are coming off one of their most memorable wins in a long time in the comeback-ictory over Kentucky on Nov. 28. The Wildcats jumped out to a 21-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The defense settled in after the outburst in the first quarter and the Cardinals outscored the Wildcats 38-3, including scoring the last 31 points en route to their fifth consecutive Governor's Cup and Grantham was proud of how the team responded.
"I was really proud of what we did, the effort that guys put in it," Grantham said. "I thought guys kept grinding and guys stayed the course which you have to do. So obviously
I was really proud of what we did and we just have to continue to build on it."
One of those players Grantham has been impressed with of late is junior DeVonte Fields. After a slow start to the season, Fields has turned it on over the last half of the year. He leads the team with 19.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 of them coming in the past three games and is second on the team in sacks with 8.0.
"I think he grinded his way through a really good year," Grantham said. "I think when you look at the last half of the year, he is a guy that stepped up and performed. I am really excited about what he can do moving forward meaning that he is going to be here for a full year."
Another player Grantham talked highly about is Sheldon Rankins, who will be playing his last game as a Cardinal against the Aggies in the Music City Bowl. Rankins is one of the few seniors on the defense, and has started all 12 games for the Cardinals totaling 53 tackles and is third on the team with 6.0 sacks. He has been one of the leaders on defense and Grantham mentions the impact he has had on the team.
"First of all, his character and work ethic are as good as I have been around. He is a guy that comes to work every day, he is great in the locker room so all of those things enhance his abilities," Grantham said. "Then when you look at the player, he is a guy that can physically win the one-on-one blocks. He is a guy that is going to hold the point, set the edge, on double teams he is not going to get moved so in the run game he is a guy that you have to contend with and he has the range to affect the plays on the outside."
The Cardinals will need an entire team effort against a Texas A&M squad that has been battle-tested and has extraordinary skill on the offensive side of the football.
The Aggies' offense is very talented with a lot of weapons, and the second-year coordinator expects a high-tempo test in the upcoming bowl game.
"They like to run the ball probably more than people think, they have always had good offensive linemen," Grantham said. "They are physical up front so when you spread guys out and you are physical up front, you have the ability to create seams for your runner as well as if you are trying to load the box, you can throw it outside to guys that can make plays one-on one. So I think it is a combination of all of that, which allows them to be effective."
The Cardinals' defense ranks 15th nationally in total defense and 13th in rushing yards allowed, and have faced some of top offenses in the nation in Houston, Clemson and Florida State, and Grantham know his players must remain focused.
"First of all I think that is a credit to our players, their ability to keep grinding and keep working. There is not a lot of difference between playing really good and not the way you want to," Grantham said. "So I think that is really a credit to our players and just keep believing in the system and what you are doing and understand here are the things you have got to do to fix what just happened."
The Cardinals, who have been off for the last two weeks, are coming off one of their most memorable wins in a long time in the comeback-ictory over Kentucky on Nov. 28. The Wildcats jumped out to a 21-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The defense settled in after the outburst in the first quarter and the Cardinals outscored the Wildcats 38-3, including scoring the last 31 points en route to their fifth consecutive Governor's Cup and Grantham was proud of how the team responded.
"I was really proud of what we did, the effort that guys put in it," Grantham said. "I thought guys kept grinding and guys stayed the course which you have to do. So obviously
I was really proud of what we did and we just have to continue to build on it."
One of those players Grantham has been impressed with of late is junior DeVonte Fields. After a slow start to the season, Fields has turned it on over the last half of the year. He leads the team with 19.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 of them coming in the past three games and is second on the team in sacks with 8.0.
"I think he grinded his way through a really good year," Grantham said. "I think when you look at the last half of the year, he is a guy that stepped up and performed. I am really excited about what he can do moving forward meaning that he is going to be here for a full year."
Another player Grantham talked highly about is Sheldon Rankins, who will be playing his last game as a Cardinal against the Aggies in the Music City Bowl. Rankins is one of the few seniors on the defense, and has started all 12 games for the Cardinals totaling 53 tackles and is third on the team with 6.0 sacks. He has been one of the leaders on defense and Grantham mentions the impact he has had on the team.
"First of all, his character and work ethic are as good as I have been around. He is a guy that comes to work every day, he is great in the locker room so all of those things enhance his abilities," Grantham said. "Then when you look at the player, he is a guy that can physically win the one-on-one blocks. He is a guy that is going to hold the point, set the edge, on double teams he is not going to get moved so in the run game he is a guy that you have to contend with and he has the range to affect the plays on the outside."
The Cardinals will need an entire team effort against a Texas A&M squad that has been battle-tested and has extraordinary skill on the offensive side of the football.
Players Mentioned
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