Louisville Holds Annual Media Day at Cardinal Stadium
August 11, 2018 | Football
Louisville football coaches and student-athletes met with the media on Saturday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville football team stepped away from the heat and practice fields and in front of the cameras on Saturday morning, holding the program's annual media day at Cardinal Stadium.
The Cardinals opened the day with the team picture followed by position group photos.
Head coach Bobby Petrino opened the media portion with a press conference to preview the upcoming campaign, followed by each of the assistant coaches meeting with local and regional outlets. Select student-athletes then spoke with reporters on how they have improved since last season and their expectations this year.
Louisville begins the 2018 campaign against reigning national champion Alabama in the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando on Sept. 1. The game is being broadcast on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
Notable quotes from head coach Bobby Petrino's press conference:
On the start of fall camp:
“One week in. We've had one week of practice. I've been very happy with what I've seen. The defense has shown a lot of improvement. I like the way we're flying around and running to the football. Yesterday, we had our first live tackle team drills. We've had a few one-on-one live tackle drills. I really liked the enthusiasm and energy that our defense played with.”
On a player who has stood out in camp:
“Tutu Atwell has been consistent at making plays every single day in practice. His ability to transfer from a quarterback to a receiver is something that has been amazing to me. I didn't think he would be able to do it that quickly. He's a real student of the game. He loves the game of football, and he's really fast. He's made an impact in every practice and scrimmage as far as making big plays for us.”
On new quarterback Jawon Pass taking over the position:
“I think [quarterback Jawon Pass] needs to go out and play the position. Run the show and understand exactly what we're striving for as an offensive staff. Go out there and understand what the defenses are and handle the running game. Be 100 percent in the running game, whether I get out of a bad play into a good play or technique.”
On excelling after the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson:
“We have to prove it. We feel like we're going to be a good football team. There's people that don't. In athletics, you have to go out and prove it on the field. Go out and prove it in the games you play. Put a good product out there. Play hard. Win games and put on a good performance. It's just a matter of going out there and proving it.”
On the depth of the offensive line:
“I feel really good about Mekhi (Becton) and Lukayus (McNeil) and the fact that they played almost every play together last year. Cole Bentley is a guy that has tremendous ability. He's still playing both guard and center, so we're trying to see what the best combination is there. On the other side, Kenny Thomas has great experience and understands the game and knows what he needs to do. He has improved as far as his strength and flexibility, so that'll help him be a player. Linwood Foy has shown that he can play. I've looked back on it last year and watched all the video of him last year and thought, 'We should've had him in there more.' He did a really good job when he was in the game. And we have Caleb Chandler, who has shown great improvement and is doing a really nice job for us. He's got position flexibility, so he can move around. He's very athletic. He's probably as good of an athlete as anyone of them out there.”
On the north end zone expansion of Cardinal Stadium:
“It's an amazing facility. The ability to teach in the meeting rooms that we have, and the team meeting room. We now have a meeting for the entire defense, which is the old team meeting room. Our ability to teach and have the space and things we need to do is awesome. The weight room has been great. What we do some days in camp is the offense meets and the defense lifts. Then, the defense meets and the offense lifts after an hour. To be able to get all those in because of the space is something that's hugely different. The training room is amazing. We used to bring the horse troughs out and they would ice down in the horse troughs. I would shake my head all the time. Now, we have the great plunge pools and they go right into the locker room. The set up and design is very good. We also have another room of pools that are for rehab; an underwater treadmill and pools that we can make hot or cold. ... It was really done right.”
