Football Spends Afternoon Discussing Upcoming Season at Media Day
August 05, 2017 | Football
The Cardinals open the 2017 campaign against Purdue on Sept. 2.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There has been a lot to take away from the first five days at practice at the University of Louisville.
Since this past Monday, the Cardinals have been off and running and finished the week with the annual Media Day on Saturday.
Head coach Bobby Petrino addressed the media on Saturday morning and offered plenty of praise for the way his football team has started fall camp.
"I like what I see so far after five practices," Petrino said. "I feel like we are in the best shape we've been in coming into camp. I like what I see. We conditioned differently this summer. I think our guys are motivated and are tuned in to practicing and doing things right.
"It's only going to get harder. This is a long period of time and our ability to focus on today and work hard will be challenged at some point."
After losing three games to close the season, Petrino knows his team must get better.
"We need work at everything," Petrino said. "It's not about one area. Defensively, it's about playing together and doing their assignment. We have a lot of work to do with our timing on offense. We have to understand what the defense is doing. That's when you become a good offense."
Typically an offensive-minded coach, Petrino spent a lot of time discussing the attributes he has seen on the defensive side of the ball.
With nine starters back on defense, the Cardinals are positioned to have a solid unit, looking to put together a top-25 defense for the eighth-straight season.
After the first week, Petrino is excited about his defense and stressed the ability to rush the passer as one of the team's strengths.
"I think we are going to be strong upfront and be able to rush the passer," Petrino said. "We have four guys who have done a good job of rushing the passer and stopping the run. We have good competition at linebacker and I like what I've seen out of true freshman Dorian Etheridge."
The Charleston, W.Va., native, Etheridge was a three-star recruit out of Capital High, where he was an all-state performer and named to the all-USA West Virginia squad. He was working with the first group of linebackers in practice on Friday.
With junior Jaire Alexander firmly planted at the one cornerback, the Cardinals are forging a battle with five guys for the other spot.
"We have rotated five different guys into the other cornerback spot," Petrino said. "Trumaine Washington, Cornelius Sturghill, Ronald Walker, and Russ Yeast are all talented players and are doing a great job competing in practice. It's been a fun battle to watch after the first week."
The key to the defense will be attached to the health of Trevon Young, who missed 2016 after suffering a dislocated hip in the 2015 Music City Bowl. He posted 8.5 sacks and was a menace on opposing quarterbacks – posting three sacks in wins over Boston College and Wake Forest.
"He sure looks like he is back to his old form," Petrino said. "He's really coming off the ball and really bending well. He doesn't cut any reps in the first five days. I have a decision to make to see how we progress him in scrimmages and what we let him do."
The Cardinals will conduct their second practice in full pads on Saturday afternoon.
