Atwell’s Small Stature Coming Up Big for the Offense
September 18, 2019 | Football
Tutu Atwell caught five passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns last week against Western Kentucky.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell isn't going to scare anyone with his 5-foot-9, 153-pound frame.
But the diminutive wide receiver has terrified the opposition with his playmaking abilities this season.
Three games into his sophomore season, Atwell has tortured opposing defense, catching 12 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns after recording five receptions for 145 yards and three touchdowns in the 38-21 win over Western Kentucky last Saturday.
"We like to get him in space," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "I think that's where he obviously thrives the best you don't want to get him in situations where he's, you know, matched up with some bigger guys where you can get hemmed up, we want to get them outside against safeties and corners and he's been very good at that and he obviously a big play threat for us."
At 153 pounds, there's always a concern that the miniature speedster could be overworked and wear down, but Atwell is too important to the success of the Louisville offense, and the coaching staff knows that Atwell must have the ball in his hands.
"He's tough," offensive coordinator Dwayne Ledford said. "We can hand him the ball, he can play quarterback, and there's just so much that he can do. You have to make sure he's not overly involved so we don't wear him out in the fourth quarter."
"He's dynamic. He's tough and strong, but he runs powerful and he doesn't run like his 153 pounds. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, but he wants to make it happen every time he touches the ball."
Satterfield and Ledford have found different ways to get Atwell involved in the offense, and one way has giving him the ball on jet sweeps and just letting him get in space.
"I love that play," Atwell said. "It's like receiving yards. It's just another opportunity to get me the ball so it really doesn't matter to me."
Atwell is coming off his biggest game in a UofL uniform last week, catching two long touchdown passes – a 46-yarder from Malik Cunningham and a career long 62 yarder from Evan Conley on his second completion in college. Atwell is averaging 21.9 yards per catch this season and is tied for the national lead with three catches of over 40+ yards.
"I know I can get open with my speed and if the quarterbacks throw it up there I feel with my speed that I can go and get the football."
A native of Miami, Atwell and 19 of his Florida teammates return home this weekend to face Florida State in the ACC opener for the Cardinals. Atwell is excited for the opportunity to get back to Florida, but is focused on the task at hand.
"They are a great team and I'm looking forward to playing those guys," Atwell said. "We know they have great athletes on defense and we have to be ready to execute the offense."
With league play beginning this weekend, Atwell knows that the games are just a little more important and feels like there is a sense of urgency this week in facing a talented Seminole squad.
"We are getting ready to play bigger games now that we are in conference play," Atwell said. We came out last week in the second half a little weak, and we know that we have to finish as we start ACC play this week."
But the diminutive wide receiver has terrified the opposition with his playmaking abilities this season.
Three games into his sophomore season, Atwell has tortured opposing defense, catching 12 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns after recording five receptions for 145 yards and three touchdowns in the 38-21 win over Western Kentucky last Saturday.
"We like to get him in space," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "I think that's where he obviously thrives the best you don't want to get him in situations where he's, you know, matched up with some bigger guys where you can get hemmed up, we want to get them outside against safeties and corners and he's been very good at that and he obviously a big play threat for us."
At 153 pounds, there's always a concern that the miniature speedster could be overworked and wear down, but Atwell is too important to the success of the Louisville offense, and the coaching staff knows that Atwell must have the ball in his hands.
"He's tough," offensive coordinator Dwayne Ledford said. "We can hand him the ball, he can play quarterback, and there's just so much that he can do. You have to make sure he's not overly involved so we don't wear him out in the fourth quarter."
"He's dynamic. He's tough and strong, but he runs powerful and he doesn't run like his 153 pounds. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, but he wants to make it happen every time he touches the ball."
Satterfield and Ledford have found different ways to get Atwell involved in the offense, and one way has giving him the ball on jet sweeps and just letting him get in space.
"I love that play," Atwell said. "It's like receiving yards. It's just another opportunity to get me the ball so it really doesn't matter to me."
Atwell is coming off his biggest game in a UofL uniform last week, catching two long touchdown passes – a 46-yarder from Malik Cunningham and a career long 62 yarder from Evan Conley on his second completion in college. Atwell is averaging 21.9 yards per catch this season and is tied for the national lead with three catches of over 40+ yards.
"I know I can get open with my speed and if the quarterbacks throw it up there I feel with my speed that I can go and get the football."
A native of Miami, Atwell and 19 of his Florida teammates return home this weekend to face Florida State in the ACC opener for the Cardinals. Atwell is excited for the opportunity to get back to Florida, but is focused on the task at hand.
"They are a great team and I'm looking forward to playing those guys," Atwell said. "We know they have great athletes on defense and we have to be ready to execute the offense."
With league play beginning this weekend, Atwell knows that the games are just a little more important and feels like there is a sense of urgency this week in facing a talented Seminole squad.
"We are getting ready to play bigger games now that we are in conference play," Atwell said. We came out last week in the second half a little weak, and we know that we have to finish as we start ACC play this week."
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