Cardinals Continue Preparations for Texas A&M
December 27, 2015 | Football
Team worked out on Sunday morning for a little over two hours
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Â The University of Louisville football team continued its preparation on Sunday with its second practice in Nashville in preparation for the Franklin American Mortgge Music City Bowl in front of a national audience.
The Cardinals (7-5) will face Texas A&M (8-4) on Wednesday in Nissan Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Titans. Kickoff is set for 7:01 p.m. (EST) and will be televised by ESPN with Tom Hart, Andre Ware and Laura Rutledge calling the action.
The UofL travel party invaded Nashville on Christmas Day, and the players have relished the opportunity to play in a game of this magnitude and embrace what the city has to offer.
"It's very exciting to be down here," senior linebacker James Burgess said following practice. "It gives us a chance to show the world what the Louisville Cardinals can do. Nashville is a great city. I've enjoyed every day we been down here. It's a great experience having been to a bowl game every season that I've been here."
With just three days left before their sixth-straight post-season appearance, the Cardinals practiced in the morning under sunny, but windy conditions, and worked out for a little less than two hours in shorts and shoulder pads.
There has been a lot of focus over the last four weeks on the offense that has improved from the beginning of the season. With the addition of freshman quarterback Lamar Jackson into the starting lineup, the Cardinals have averaged over 37 points per game and have scored 34 or more points in four-straight contests.
One of the areas of concern has been avoiding negative plays and penalties, which has hampered the offense at times, and Jackson is working toward making the offense more consistent.
"We just have to keep grinding," Jackson said. "Sometimes we let our foot off the gas and we can't do that. We can't get behind the sticks and put us in tough positions. We just have to continue to do what we have been doing over the last few weeks."
On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker Keith Kelsey and senior James Burges, known as the "Bash Brothers" will play their last game together.
Two of the most productive players over the last two seasons, are wrapping up another successful defensive campaign that saw the Cards rank in the top 20 nationally.
"It's been a fun journey," Kelsey said. "I mean, he's my brother, so we have to go out there and get that last win for him."
Burgess, who is second on the team with 87, wants to win his last game as a senior, but also wants his legacy to live on next year with Kelsey.
"It would mean a lot to win our last game together," Burgess said. "I'm passing him the torch. He can lead them to something better than I did this season."
The Cardinals, who are closing the season against an SEC opponent for the second season, will get an opportunity to win one for the seniors and build toward 2016 against Texas A&M on Wednesday night.Â
The Cardinals (7-5) will face Texas A&M (8-4) on Wednesday in Nissan Stadium, the home of the Tennessee Titans. Kickoff is set for 7:01 p.m. (EST) and will be televised by ESPN with Tom Hart, Andre Ware and Laura Rutledge calling the action.
The UofL travel party invaded Nashville on Christmas Day, and the players have relished the opportunity to play in a game of this magnitude and embrace what the city has to offer.
"It's very exciting to be down here," senior linebacker James Burgess said following practice. "It gives us a chance to show the world what the Louisville Cardinals can do. Nashville is a great city. I've enjoyed every day we been down here. It's a great experience having been to a bowl game every season that I've been here."
With just three days left before their sixth-straight post-season appearance, the Cardinals practiced in the morning under sunny, but windy conditions, and worked out for a little less than two hours in shorts and shoulder pads.
There has been a lot of focus over the last four weeks on the offense that has improved from the beginning of the season. With the addition of freshman quarterback Lamar Jackson into the starting lineup, the Cardinals have averaged over 37 points per game and have scored 34 or more points in four-straight contests.
One of the areas of concern has been avoiding negative plays and penalties, which has hampered the offense at times, and Jackson is working toward making the offense more consistent.
"We just have to keep grinding," Jackson said. "Sometimes we let our foot off the gas and we can't do that. We can't get behind the sticks and put us in tough positions. We just have to continue to do what we have been doing over the last few weeks."
On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker Keith Kelsey and senior James Burges, known as the "Bash Brothers" will play their last game together.
Two of the most productive players over the last two seasons, are wrapping up another successful defensive campaign that saw the Cards rank in the top 20 nationally.
"It's been a fun journey," Kelsey said. "I mean, he's my brother, so we have to go out there and get that last win for him."
Burgess, who is second on the team with 87, wants to win his last game as a senior, but also wants his legacy to live on next year with Kelsey.
"It would mean a lot to win our last game together," Burgess said. "I'm passing him the torch. He can lead them to something better than I did this season."
The Cardinals, who are closing the season against an SEC opponent for the second season, will get an opportunity to win one for the seniors and build toward 2016 against Texas A&M on Wednesday night.Â
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