Defensive Improvement Pivotal in Three-Game Winning Streak
December 27, 2017 | Football
Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon is confident after improved defensive play.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - With Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Lamar Jackson returning this season, most of the focus this has been on the University of Louisville offense. However, over the last three weeks, the defense has taken center stage.
In the last three victories, the Cardinals' defense has risen to the occasion, limiting opponents to an average of 16.0 points per game and 334.0 yards oer game. The Cardinals held the last two teams to just 10 and 17 points, respectively.
Not only have the Cardinals kept teams out of the end zone, they have limited big plays -- especially in the passing game – holding Kentucky to one passing play and two running plays of over 20 yards in the 44-17 win. The Cardinals limited the Wildcats to just eight completions and 110 yards through the air in one of the biggest margins of victory in the series.
"We have had some ups and downs this season, but that is college football," defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon said following Wednesday's practice. "Everyone has those. Ultimately, that is going to happen and it's how you get through them. Thankfully, we battled back and got through them. We got healthy at the end of the year and the kids played well."
The Cardinals success on defense can be attributed to the pressure they put on opposing quarterbacks, recording 8.0 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss during the recent three-game winning streak.
"We rushed the quarterback well over the last quarter of the season," Sirmon said. "Rushing the quarterback fixes a lot of things when you get quarterback hits and the sack numbers increase."
Louisville totaled 5.0 tackles for loss and three sacks to close the regular season versus Kentucky, while breaking up seven passes.
"It was a great win for us and it allowed us to keeping going forward heading into the bowl," said Sirmon. "We gave up some yards on the ground, but we played a great overall game."
Heading into the final game of the season on Saturday versus Mississippi State, Sirmon feels there is a lot to play for, especially building some momentum toward 2018.
"Sports is about momentum," Sirmon added. "This is a great launch point into the offseason and it propels you going forward. The guys who have been young and inexperienced players, it helps them going forward into winter workouts and spring ball."
Sirmon, who spent one season as the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State last season, knows there are a lot of variables on the Mississippi State side with the loss of its coaching staff and a number of key injuries.
After starting quarterback MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald went down early in the loss to Mississippi, Keytaon Thomas stepped in and went 13-for-27 for 195 yards and one touchdown in the 31-28 loss.
"Keytaon is very talented player," Sirmon said. "When I was there on staff last year when we recruited him, we thought he was a special player and it's his opportunity to step in. He's inexperienced, but he's got a lot of talent and we've got a lot of respect for him."
The Cardinals return to the practice field for the final time Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m.
