Takeaways from Scott Satterfield's Press Conference
September 30, 2019 | Football
The Cardinals host Boston College on Saturday afternoon.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville returns home for the first time since Sept. 7 when the Cardinals host Boston College on Oct. 5 for a 12:30 p.m.
After an off week, the Cardinals look for their first ACC win after dropping a 35-24 decision to Florida State on Sept. 21.
Head coach Scott Satterfield addressed the media on Monday, and below are four takeaways from his weekly press conference.
Must Stop the Run
Boston College is a run-first offense, and with good reason. A,J. Dillon is one of the best running backs in the nation, ranking fourth in the country with an average of 125.4 yards per game. The 250-pound back has put together three-straight 150-yard rushing games after 159 yards in a loss to Wake Forest last weekend.
"Well, that's a huge deal. You know, maybe bring up a good point," Satterfield said." I think, first downs going to be critical this week, because if they're able to stay, second and medium now, their whole playbooks in you know, and now you know, obviously third down and shorted they don't have one problem, trying to get a first down with that scenario.
"You know, the problem with the big backs as you look up, you think you stopped him and next thing in a second and five, you know, he just fell forward for five yards. So it is very imperative this week that we gang tackle you know it's extremely difficult as you watch the film from him as one guy trying to bring him down you know you have to you know you have to go low. You go high he's going to drag you. So, we have to gang tackle both of these backs and they keep the pressure on. It's a difficult game to stop."
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Run Defense Has Improved
After giving up 277.2 yards on the ground this season, the Cardinals have improved their run defense under defensive coordinator Bryan Brown. Through four games, the Cardinals have more than cut that number in half, limiting the opposition to an average of 128.8 yards per game.
"I think it's been pretty solid. We obviously think we can get better with it," Satterfield said. "We're getting ready to face a team that'll certainly test that. I think they have a pretty solid offensive line; they're young, but they're talented, and those two big backs, and they have really good tight ends.
"We're going to have to fit this offensive really well this week. This'll be a big test. We'll see where we stack up this week. I think we've done a pretty good job thus far. [Cam] Akers at Florida State is a really talented running back, although a little bit different style than we'll see this week. He had some pretty big runs against us."
Looking for Interceptions
The Cardinals are one of only two teams in the country looking for their first interception on the season, and Satterfield understands it's been a point of emphasis.
"We got to get better in the secondary," Satterfield said. "I think that's the bottom line. If you compare some of the guys we had at App. (Appalachian State) to the guys we have here. Those guys at App. had great ball skills in the secondary and had great anticipation. They would step in front of the receivers and just catch the football. I think that's the bottom line. We're running the same scheme.
"We're coaching really hard right now to try and get. We just haven't clicked yet and we will continue to coach it and hopefully we will be able to get some of those. It's disappointing right now, we haven't created many turnovers in four weeks."
Get the Running Game Back on Track
The Cardinals have been running the ball better than a year ago, averaging 225.2 yards per game. However, the Cardinals were held to a season low 124 yards in a loss to Florida State.
"I think we've done a solid job this year," Satterfield said. "Right out the gate against Notre Dame - to be able to run 250 against that defense I thought was very solid. Probably the most disappointing part was the pass game we had - we didn't run it as well as we would've liked. All three of their guys, 300 pounds up front, I thought they were a good d-line we played against. We have to do a better job with running the football than we did at Florida State. We want to be over 200 yards - that's the benchmark we like to get rushing the football - and we were not able to get there. So we'll keep working at it and continue to try to find ways to run the ball. Offensive formations would help us a lot as well."
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After an off week, the Cardinals look for their first ACC win after dropping a 35-24 decision to Florida State on Sept. 21.
Head coach Scott Satterfield addressed the media on Monday, and below are four takeaways from his weekly press conference.
Must Stop the Run
Boston College is a run-first offense, and with good reason. A,J. Dillon is one of the best running backs in the nation, ranking fourth in the country with an average of 125.4 yards per game. The 250-pound back has put together three-straight 150-yard rushing games after 159 yards in a loss to Wake Forest last weekend.
"Well, that's a huge deal. You know, maybe bring up a good point," Satterfield said." I think, first downs going to be critical this week, because if they're able to stay, second and medium now, their whole playbooks in you know, and now you know, obviously third down and shorted they don't have one problem, trying to get a first down with that scenario.
"You know, the problem with the big backs as you look up, you think you stopped him and next thing in a second and five, you know, he just fell forward for five yards. So it is very imperative this week that we gang tackle you know it's extremely difficult as you watch the film from him as one guy trying to bring him down you know you have to you know you have to go low. You go high he's going to drag you. So, we have to gang tackle both of these backs and they keep the pressure on. It's a difficult game to stop."
Â
Run Defense Has Improved
After giving up 277.2 yards on the ground this season, the Cardinals have improved their run defense under defensive coordinator Bryan Brown. Through four games, the Cardinals have more than cut that number in half, limiting the opposition to an average of 128.8 yards per game.
"I think it's been pretty solid. We obviously think we can get better with it," Satterfield said. "We're getting ready to face a team that'll certainly test that. I think they have a pretty solid offensive line; they're young, but they're talented, and those two big backs, and they have really good tight ends.
"We're going to have to fit this offensive really well this week. This'll be a big test. We'll see where we stack up this week. I think we've done a pretty good job thus far. [Cam] Akers at Florida State is a really talented running back, although a little bit different style than we'll see this week. He had some pretty big runs against us."
Looking for Interceptions
The Cardinals are one of only two teams in the country looking for their first interception on the season, and Satterfield understands it's been a point of emphasis.
"We got to get better in the secondary," Satterfield said. "I think that's the bottom line. If you compare some of the guys we had at App. (Appalachian State) to the guys we have here. Those guys at App. had great ball skills in the secondary and had great anticipation. They would step in front of the receivers and just catch the football. I think that's the bottom line. We're running the same scheme.
"We're coaching really hard right now to try and get. We just haven't clicked yet and we will continue to coach it and hopefully we will be able to get some of those. It's disappointing right now, we haven't created many turnovers in four weeks."
Get the Running Game Back on Track
The Cardinals have been running the ball better than a year ago, averaging 225.2 yards per game. However, the Cardinals were held to a season low 124 yards in a loss to Florida State.
"I think we've done a solid job this year," Satterfield said. "Right out the gate against Notre Dame - to be able to run 250 against that defense I thought was very solid. Probably the most disappointing part was the pass game we had - we didn't run it as well as we would've liked. All three of their guys, 300 pounds up front, I thought they were a good d-line we played against. We have to do a better job with running the football than we did at Florida State. We want to be over 200 yards - that's the benchmark we like to get rushing the football - and we were not able to get there. So we'll keep working at it and continue to try to find ways to run the ball. Offensive formations would help us a lot as well."
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