This might be one of the funniest reaction's I have seen by a fan of the home team losing. This is gold.

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I am certainly not an expert in such matters but it appeared to me that Thor didn't have the push many expected. I think he had 1 TFL in limited playing time.

Big kid with a nasty streak. Would’ve rather had Pellman from Manual though

That question will be answered in the coming weeks, but for the Cards it’s the best that could have happened. They will not sneak up on us now and I guarantee they’ve got our players attention.
Not to mention both should be ranked.

FSU runs their mouths all off season --- not the kids, but the administration types which is even worse -- and they promptly go out and get pushed around to start the season 0 and 2.


It's beautiful.


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It’s here. We have a depth chart as well.

With college game day going to Michigan this week, I think game day at the Georgia Tech game is a real possibility. The main competitor is Tennessee at Oklahoma. If NC State pulls off the upset, I think it will be a toss up with NC State and Clemson (who game day has already covered)

In other words, go NC State/ACC!

Clemson was feeble against Georgia, NC State struggled to beat a FCS team, and FSU looked generic in their loss to Ga. Tech.

ACC not looking so hot.

Now Miami gets its chance next against Florida. Yes, it was an FCS team Louisville throttled, but they looked as prepared and determined as any Cards team in game one I can recall.

so from my understanding, players can play in 4 games, plus any post season games which includes conference title games, and still be reshirted meaning a player can sit out the last 7 games of the year and still play the entire post season and still be red-shirted. and additionally, the ncaa is considering doing this for other sports too, where 1/3 of the season or less has to be played in. would allow bball players to get in 1`0 games or so and still be redshirted.

Watching the huddle and Packer again is the only media I've yet seen that talks about how Louisville's absence with voters is peculiar. Tonight he said that most voters thought since the schedule is tougher than last season, Louisville won't win 10 games.

First off, that is condescending and evidence of bias and Packer was hinting at this. Think about it, what other conference champion runner up is picked 5th the following year with an obvious superior team than the season before?

But I have come to believe that last seasons schedule is actually tougher than this season. I know its been a common belief this season is much tougher.

I wonder.

Okay, we play seven teams we played last season.

GT
BC
ND
Pitt
Va
Mia
UK

Louisville beat 5 of those teams.

This season some may be better (GT) and some may not. (UK) Regardless, I don't see how playing these same teams this season is tougher than last season. ND on the road but Miami at home.

This season we replaced NC State and Virginia Tech with SMU and Clemson.

To me, this is a push. I still believe after unimpressive first games, both VT and NC State are better than SMU. And if Clemson turns up like FSU and loses 4 or more games, this change in schedule makes last seasons tougher.

Other than the two non conference cupcakes, the only other new opponent is Stanford in place of Duke. One could say Duke would be the tougher opponent this season. Again, at least a push. (Tie)

I think most people believe the schedule is tougher because of Clemson and that's it. I originally thought that but I'm not so sure, but it is just week 2.

Sorry for the novel for those impatient types. I'm just excited about the potential of this Louisville team.

I watched the ND vs Texas A&M game and ND won and they showed the rest of the ND schedule. They said the computer shows ND winning the rest of their games. They only have 2 road games the rest of the season. When they were showing the rest of their schedule the announcer made the comment that Louisville and Ga Tech are teams that ND had to watch out for because both of those team play tough.

We were seriously beaten in the first set doing better in the 2nd set but not good enough. I don’t understand the strategy here instead of slamming the ball over the net we are soft touching it. Needless to say this is not working it looks like our first match of the season.

After today’s game any thoughts on who is QB2?

I was a bit underwhelmed by Clarkson. Looked small compared to Tyler. His two series were very disjointed. Didn’t seem comfortable at any point. Hope he can get another opportunity next Saturday.

Saturday’s was 47,067.

Prior to Austin Peay, we were averaging 50,806 for the thirteen season openers dating back to the expansion of the stadium to 55,000 in 2010. That omits the Covid season (2020).

Of course, there have been some good teams in the openers. If we just look at the Murray State (twice), Ohio, Houston, Charlotte, Indiana State, and EKU games, the average dropped to 47,729.

Further limiting the data to pre/post 2017 for those seven games, the averages were respectively 51,159 and 43,155. Including all opponents pre/post 2017, the averages were 53,296 and 46,822.

Football attendance took a big hit after 2017, and hasn’t fully recovered esp. considering the new amenities. But the Austin Peay opener was better than we had been averaging recently for a team of that caliber. There were 1,800 more fans Saturday than Brohm’s opener against Murray State last year.

1. I said it last year but...I have never seen so many players take the field even within a drive as what Louisville is doing defensively. That would suggest we'd be susceptible to a no huddle/hurryup look but Ron English seems to have found a secret sauce to it. I'm still trying to figure out how he is sliding into a Dime Package with putting Tamarion McDonald down into the Tackle box and getting Devin Neal on. If teams are in situations where Louisville goes with Gillotte inside as an DT, one DL, the LEO position and McDonald walked down with either Watts or Perry still on...that means alot of 3rd and very longs. All of that says to me this is going to be a very dominant 3rd and long defense.

2. Still using a bunch of Bears look sliding Gillotte down heads up on an OT. Konga looks to have poked his nose ahead of the other DT newcomers but Guerard didn't play and he is statistically the most disruptive of the DTs. Tramel Logan was impressive at LEO.

3. Not much action for the LBs and I'm still trying to figure that out as well. With those Bears fronts Clark slid over a TE. Perry and Watts were active as always and Capers INT was a very instinctive jump of a route out of the slot.

4. Good to see MJ Griffin, but of all of the people listed as safeties Tamarion McDonald was extremely impressive because he seemed to be featured in Dime down in the tackle box as stated earlier. Hutchinson and Neal weren't quiet, they just didn't get much opportunity to shine because AP didn't break into the second level.

5. This should be said, we're alot more than Asthon Gillotte and a bunch of dudes in the front seven; almost a No Name Defense because it is the very definition of the Whole is better than the parts. Don't get wrapped up in having a really good analytics defense but no recognition for individual players as All-League sorts.

6. Corners haven't been mentioned but...Quincy Riley has practically been taken for granted; fortunately AP didn't demonstrate they could challenge anyone downfield so they go into next week sort of anonymous. They attacked the bubble and short screen actions with physicality.

7. ...and not only lastly but most importantly...this is a four game season right now with 4 disparate offensive challenges: 1. the RPO actions from Ga Tech, 2. the whatever it is Notre Dame is trying to accomplish with a new coordinator and Riley Leonard as QB, 3. containment of Cameron Ward who as God is my witness might be the reincarnation of Charlie Ward, and 4. forcing TOs down in Death Valley early. If you rate my concerns they are heaviest with Ga Tech and Miami; both with quality O lines and dynamics at QB. I have come to the conclusion that Klubnik and Riley Leonard kind of suck for their scheme and are QBs better suited to being QBs at Nebraska in the late 90's more than a modern day QB.

1. Shough was impressive but I didn't care for how many shots he took in the process though he stands in the pocket strong; all of the optimism I have for this season is tempered with the reality that we're in trouble if he goes down because the gap between him and the second string is pronounced. Austin Peay sold out more than we will likely see again this season. Shough was very efficient throughout his half of work. His risks were still high percentage, high yield risks with the 1st TD to Brooks being the best example and he'd have gotten bailed out by an INT flag even if it was underthrown. The TD to Jadon Thompson was perfectly thrown under duress and showed his trust in Thompson to beat the coverage and get to a spot in the endzone; when the Brohms talk about having faith in your ability that is what they are talking about...put the work in in the film room to know what coverages are beaten by what routes, fire and execute when the opportunity presents itself.

Given the film session Shough had with Tom Luginbill on the Louisville ACC Road Trip they spent the whole segment going over a three step progression read out of MAX protection; I couldn't find any MAX protection sets in rewatching the first half so that is something that we should see more against Ga Tech and certainly in South Bend.

One last thing as it applies to the QB room and maybe Brohm won't appreciate me putting this out there; but those little goal line packages we had with Evan Conley producing a running TD and a TD to Sylvester down in Miami were given an open tryout Saturday for anyone paying attention in the 4th Quarter. You would think it is in Clarkson's skill set...but I wouldn't be surprised to see Travis Egan in that role at some point even with the recency bias of him taking only one snap. That role requires guts and a little red ass more than straight skill and can be a big lift to see somebody produce in big situations from the bottom of the roster. Local Boy Makes Good headlines are not only good for any Program...they are good for the Soul.

2. Was good to see the way the RBs were used; Turner and Chaney with a light workload, The Browns getting quality work and a Duke Watson sighting. It's clear Brohm's prototypical RB is what we've seen in the Browns and Watson--the three RBs he signed out of HS. Quick and all-purpose. I will have to go back and pay specific attention to it but didn't notice how the RBs did in pass protection. Isaac hits the hole like a lightning bolt and he has a different change of pace than the other backs; the other long run he had aside from the TD he did a hesitation move up the Louisville sideline that was like the one Lamar had at Boynton Beach in HS that went viral. The safety's tackle was more accident than design.

Beyond just the workload being spread across the entirety of the RBs, they didn't have to run many plays or show their hand much to do it; it was very basic zone plays and dive plays out of the Pistol. We look like our running attack will be more of an edge hitting, spread look more than the straight ahead looks we had with Guerendo in particular and with Jawhar.

3. I couldn't help coming away from that first half thinking an overall improved aerial attack would be downright lethal with the presence of Caullen Lacy; Brooks is the real deal and provides something we haven't seen with a any frequency when you think back--he's good at going over DBs. Fitzpatrick was the last WR I recall with that type of ability. Brooks clearly has Shough's confidence. It was good to see Jadon Thompson join the spree though Bell's touches were limited. Nobody from among the twos jumped off the screen, but their opportunities were limited.

4. I was skeptical of all of the reports that it was Redman and Jamari Johnson as TE1 and TE1A--I am relieved that can now be put to bed. I was skeptical of Redman because like Thor Griffin he was a late report and skeptical of Jamari Johnson due to his frame when I last saw them in the Spring. Beyond that Kurisky started getting some quality reps in November and was instrumental in the win down in Miami. The TD catch for Redman was something you normally don't see in TEs at the College level--it required adjustment with the ball in the air, it required him not only beating the defender but going over him and the rarest of finishes for TEs...he had to get a foot down and maintain possession through the catch process. Invariably that template is with a wide receiver and not a TE at the college level. I'd submit as a polite reminder that Plummer wouldn't even have attempted that pass last year, and frankly didn't have the personnel at TE to even try it. I am impressed with the physical change in Jamari Johnson and glad to see him get a couple touches. You can see the raw talent and he is an improving blocker. I think we are going to see a lot more two tight end sets this year; when we had them last year it was generally in short yardage or signaled run. In essence they were adding blockers and removing a pass catcher. This year there is more flexibility to attack downfield with the personnel we have.

5. Lastly...a little underwhelmed with the overall pass blocking which is scary when you project ahead to Notre Dame in particular. We went Mills and Mendoza at the tackles, Gonzalez and Collins at the guards and Nygra at center. Cutler and Renato Brown were first off the bench. We looked like our protection leaks were between Collins and Mendoza. Of the shifting concerns that happen after seeing the team for the first time the O line has moved up my ladder of concerns because it directly impacts Shough. It is a group with experience which is promising but clearly needs more reps together to mesh; if the Jacksonville St game is sitting with a similar spread at the half as AP I'd leave them together for a couple second half series together.

Down to 8

Ohio State
Kentucky
Louisville
Kansas State
Kansas
Washington
USC
Arizona State

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CPK came in to talk to the volleyball team and hit a jump serve.
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Decided to tune into this one since we have BC later in the year up in Chestnut Hill.

First game for BC, second for FSU, and the game is at home for the Noles, who are smarting after the Week 0 loss in Dublin against Georgia Tech. I expected FSU to have the first game mistakes corrected and dominate this one, but it’s BC who is owning this game so far.

Early second quarter and BC has run 22 offensive plays to just 6 for FSU. Two three and outs for the Noles. Sophomore QB Thomas Castellanos with offensive guru Bill O’Brien calling the shots for BC. The Eagles look to be much improved team this year. That offense is going to be darned hard to stop.

Castellanos reminds me of a young Russell Wilson.