Photo by: Karthik Kalvakuri | Louisville Athletics
Taylor Prepares for First Game as Offensive Coordinator
August 31, 2022 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Looking ahead to his debut as the University of Louisville offensive coordinator, Lance Taylor is excited for the veteran presence and depth on the offensive side of the football.
The Cardinals offense will be matched up against a Syracuse defense that is returning eight of 11 starters from last season.
"That (Syracuse) is a havoc creating defense, when you look at what they do," Taylor said. "They create negative plays by penetrating, by blitzing, by creating different looks up front but also on the back end. We have to be locked into our keys, not only from the quarterback position, but from all positions offensively to make sure that we know look they are giving us."
With redshirt senior quarterback Malik Cunningham at the helm, Taylor said he is looking for the captain to make a jump in his leadership ability
"(I want to see him) continue to develop in leadership. I think he has done a great job in fall camp, but its easy when the lights aren't on, you're not in a game, and the pressure," Taylor said. "I think we all play this game with passion, especially Malik, he has a ton of passion and excitement for this game and sometimes its how you channel that."
Cunningham is 20 total touchdowns away from breaking Lamar Jackson's school record for total career touchdowns responsible for.
As far as the wide receiver room goes, Taylor said he is confident in the chemistry that has been formed between Cunningham and his pass catchers over the offseason.
"They developed that (chemistry) during the offseason," Taylor said. "Our guys got together three days a week early to throw extra. They've watched film this week together on Syracuse. That's how you build that chemistry and bond is just by spending time with each other."
Leadership and attitude are two things Taylor said have impressed him from the wide receivers, especially the Cards top six guys.
"I think we have a group of guys that are bought in to what we are preaching and what we're selling," Taylor said "They've stayed after, worked extra hard so I feel confident in our top six guys, I really like the group that we have."
Taylor also said he is confident in all four of the team's running backs and expects that who is getting the snaps may change game to game.
"We feel confident in all of those backs," Taylor said. "We have had a great competition in that room during fall camp. We feel confident in each one of them going into the game. I think it's a game-by-game basis, you get a feel as you get into the game which guy is really feeling it."
Heading into his first game with the Cardinals, Taylor said the chemistry with the coaching staff and his integration into the offense has been a smooth process.
"I feel great with not only our (coach Satterfield) bond and chemistry, but also the chemistry amongst our coaching staff," Taylor said. "We've done a great job as a whole really putting this game plan together, being on the same page making sure it's not my way, not their way, but how do we get the best way to put our players in a great position to make plays on Saturday."
The season opener against the Orange will be aired live on the ACC Network with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m.
The Cardinals offense will be matched up against a Syracuse defense that is returning eight of 11 starters from last season.
"That (Syracuse) is a havoc creating defense, when you look at what they do," Taylor said. "They create negative plays by penetrating, by blitzing, by creating different looks up front but also on the back end. We have to be locked into our keys, not only from the quarterback position, but from all positions offensively to make sure that we know look they are giving us."
With redshirt senior quarterback Malik Cunningham at the helm, Taylor said he is looking for the captain to make a jump in his leadership ability
"(I want to see him) continue to develop in leadership. I think he has done a great job in fall camp, but its easy when the lights aren't on, you're not in a game, and the pressure," Taylor said. "I think we all play this game with passion, especially Malik, he has a ton of passion and excitement for this game and sometimes its how you channel that."
Cunningham is 20 total touchdowns away from breaking Lamar Jackson's school record for total career touchdowns responsible for.
As far as the wide receiver room goes, Taylor said he is confident in the chemistry that has been formed between Cunningham and his pass catchers over the offseason.
"They developed that (chemistry) during the offseason," Taylor said. "Our guys got together three days a week early to throw extra. They've watched film this week together on Syracuse. That's how you build that chemistry and bond is just by spending time with each other."
Leadership and attitude are two things Taylor said have impressed him from the wide receivers, especially the Cards top six guys.
"I think we have a group of guys that are bought in to what we are preaching and what we're selling," Taylor said "They've stayed after, worked extra hard so I feel confident in our top six guys, I really like the group that we have."
Taylor also said he is confident in all four of the team's running backs and expects that who is getting the snaps may change game to game.
"We feel confident in all of those backs," Taylor said. "We have had a great competition in that room during fall camp. We feel confident in each one of them going into the game. I think it's a game-by-game basis, you get a feel as you get into the game which guy is really feeling it."
Heading into his first game with the Cardinals, Taylor said the chemistry with the coaching staff and his integration into the offense has been a smooth process.
"I feel great with not only our (coach Satterfield) bond and chemistry, but also the chemistry amongst our coaching staff," Taylor said. "We've done a great job as a whole really putting this game plan together, being on the same page making sure it's not my way, not their way, but how do we get the best way to put our players in a great position to make plays on Saturday."
The season opener against the Orange will be aired live on the ACC Network with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m.
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