Defense Puts Focus on Finishing
September 05, 2018 | Football
Louisville plays its home opener on Saturday against Indiana State.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In recent seasons, the University of Louisville football program has adopted the mantra of “Finish” during preseason workouts as a reminder on what's needed to win football games.
If the Cardinals could have abided by those words, they could have had enjoyed some success last Saturday night against top-ranked Alabama. The Cardinals opened the season with a 51-14 loss to the defending national champions.
“We didn't finish on third downs,” sophomore linebacker Dorian Etheridge said. “We stopped them a lot on first and second down, and we were in position to make plays, but we just didn't make the plays to get off the field.”
The Crimson Tide were 10 of 15 on third down and were able to extend drives by converting in crucial situations.
“We made getting off the field on third down has been our focus this week in practice,” Etheridge said. “We focused on getting off the field on third down. A 3-and-out is like scoring a touchdown for the defense. It keeps us rolling and allows our offense to get on the field.”
In his first game calling the defense, defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder stressed to his unit the importance of stopping Alabama's offensive momentum and getting off the field.
“We thought it was important going into the game to win third down,” VanGorder said. “We had to be aggressive, but it didn't work out. We just didn't win third down and we had the opportunities to do so.”
From the opening play of the game, the Cardinals were able to get pressure early on the Crimson Tide, but weren't able to make the plays in the backfield.
On the opening drive, it looked like the Cardinals were going to be able to disrupt the Tide's high-powered offense, but were unable to contain the elusive Tua Tagovailoa.
G.G. Robinson recorded a sack the second play of the game, and Jonathan Greenard narrowly missed a sack when Tagovailoa lofted a Hail Mary throw into the end zone for a touchdown for a 7-0 lead.
“Some of our pressures were successful,” Etheridge said. “We were able to affect the quarterback, but they were able to extend plays. There were a lot of times when we were back there and affected some of his throws, but we just have to finish.”
Despite the loss, UofL head coach Bobby Petrino came away with a positive outlook moving forward about the defense.
“Defensively, we did a lot of good things as far as running to the football,” Petrino said. “We got some good pressure on the quarterback early. We can't give up the big plays; that hurt us out there. The big play throws for touchdowns hurt us a lot. I did like a lot of things I saw from our defense, and I did like the sideline on both sides, offense and defense.”
The Cardinals are looking forward to redeeming themselves this weekend in the home opener against Indiana State, 49-0 winners last Thursday over Quincy.
“We are looking forward to getting back out there and playing better football,” safety Khane Pass said. “We know we are better than that, and just want to go out there and prove it.”
While the Cardinals are chomping at the bit to play better football, Etheridge can't wait to see the newly renovated Cardinal Stadium.
“We are all excited, and we know our fans are,” Etheridge said. “Our fans just want to see the stadium, and we do as well. I just can't wait to see it. Every time we go to a different part of the building, we see something new.”
The Cardinals will kick off the home season at 7 p.m. versus Indiana State on Saturday night.
