Louisville Football Daily Newsletter (Aug. 9)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Mother Nature played havoc with the University of Louisville football practice on Tuesday afternoon.

With thunderstorms rolling into the Louisville area, the Cardinals started the seventh practice of fall camp outside on the practice fields, but heavy rain forced the team into the Trager Indoor Practice Facility for about six periods.

After rain moved through the area, head coach Bobby Petrino made the decision to move the team outside where the squad had a small scrimmage – the first one of fall camp.

Pitting the first offense against the second defense during the first part of the scrimmage, the Cardinals had a spirited workout with big plays and big hits to highlight the first full contact work of camp. The Cardinals also did two-minute work and ended the practice with overtime periods.

During a two-minute drive, sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson moved the team down the field for a touchdown in just four plays. He hit tight end Cole Hikutini with a long pass play down to the four-yard line and scored on the next play on a short pass to wide receiver James Quick.

"We learned a lot about our team today because we got to tackle," secondary coach Keith Heyward said after practice. "We have learned a lot about our guys. I think we have a good solid group, and guys are competing to get better."

The defense had the opportunity to match-up against one of the top wide receiver groups in the ACC. With a stable full of solid wide outs and tight ends, and coach

Heyward understood the secondary faces a variety of tests at each position, but liked the way his secondary stood up to the challenge.

"We have a lot of good receivers," Heyward said. "We have quick guys…we have big guys on the outside. It's a diverse group. They challenge us. Some plays we stay in and they rotate, so we get tired. It's a great challenge for us."

Redshirt freshman Jonathan Greenard stood out one drive. He made a huge hit on one possession and forced a fumble that he recovered to stall a drive. In overtime, he intercepted a pass to thwart the first drive of overtime.

Junior safety Chucky Williams had another big hit on Trey Smith that caused a turnover during overtime. Williams broke on the ball carrier and put his helmet on the football causing the ball to pop loose and recovered by a member of the defense.

"That's what we expect," Heyward said of Williams' big hit. "Chucky is one of the smartest guys back there. He's always making the checks. He's always on top of it. He's making the correct calls. I expect big things from Chucky."

Williams, who was a starter in all 13 games last year, is expecting big things from the secondary because the unit returns intact from a year ago.

"We have great chemistry, which causes us to push each other more," Williams said after practice. "We understand that we are all just trying to get better, which allows us to have great chemistry out there."

The Cardinals return to practice on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. for the first double session of fall camp. The team hits the field again at 4 p.m.

Players Mentioned

Jon Greenard

Cole Hikutini

Lamar Jackson

James Quick

Trey Smith

Chucky Williams

University of Louisville Athletics