Louisville moves on without Lamar Jackson, is No. 66 in 2018 preseason college football rankings
Safid DeenContact ReporterOrlando Sentinel
The Lamar Jackson era at the University of Louisville is over for coach Bobby Petrinoand the Cardinals.
But Petrino believes he has a new quarterback in place ready to own the starting job after two seasons as Jackson’s backup.
And that player, redshirt sophomore Juwon Pass, will get to lead the Louisville offense in Week 1 against defending national champion Alabama at Camping World Stadium on Sept. 1.
The Cardinals are No. 66 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 66: Louisville
Coach: Bobby Petrino (8-5, entering ninth season; 75-27 overall)
2017 record: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference; tied-third in Atlantic Division
Look back: After a 9-4 campaign that saw Jackson break numerous offensive records en route to the 2016 Heisman Trophy, Louisville had high expectations entering the 2017 season.
The Cardinals fell short.
Louisville was blown out by Clemson in a highly anticipated rematch and suffered losses to surging NC State and Boston College during consecutive weeks by the middle of October.
The Cardinals won four of their last five games during the regular season before falling to Mississippi State in the TaxSlayer Bowl.
Despite Jackson producing another standout offensive season, the Cardinals were unable to break through in the Atlantic Division race.
Offensive starters returning: 7
Offensive starters lost: 4
Defensive starters returning: 3
Defensive starters lost: 8
Key losses: QB Lamar Jackson, DB Jaire Alexander, OL Geron Christian, RB Reggie Bobbafon, RB Malik Williams, TE Charles Standberry, DT De’Asian Richardson, DE Trevon Young, DE James Hearns, LB Stacy Thomas, DB Trumaine Washington, DB Zykiesis Cannon, DB Chucky William.
Top returnees: WR Jaylen Smith, WR Seth Dawkins, WR Dez Fitzpatrick, WR Traveon Samuel, LB Dorian Etheridge, DE G.G. Robinson, DB Dee Smith, DE Jon Greenard, DT Henry Famurewa.
Strengths: Jackson’s departure will drastically alter Louisville’s offense.
Instead of a dual-threat quarterback, Pass is a pocket passer who will allow Petrino to employ more pro-style elements into the mix.
During Louisville’s spring game, Pass completed 26 of 37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns.
And he already has a favorite target in the passing game in Dez Fitzpatrick, who had eight catches for 174 yards with two touchdowns during the spring game. Fitzpatrick led the Cardinals with nine touchdowns and 699 yards receiving last season.
Weaknesses: The Cardinals’ defense was in the bottom five of the ACC, giving up averages 27.4 points and 388.1 yards per game last season. And an already porous unit loses eight of its starters heading into next season.
But Petrino is counting on new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to help the unit make some strides. Linebacker Dorian Etheridge, who led the team with 83 total tackles last season, is emerging as a leader of the defense, which loses strong players such as cornerback Jaire Alexander, defensive end James Hearns, linebacker Stacy Thomas and defensive tackle Trevon Young.
Outlook: Petrino’s team could surely experience growing pains, with a new quarterback leading the offense and a new defensive coordinator implementing a new system.
Outside of matchups against Alabama, FSU and Clemson, Louisville could be a team in transition or an overachiever this season.
2018 Schedule
Sept. 1 Alabama in Orlando
Sept. 8 Indiana State
Sept. 15 Western Kentucky
Sept. 22 at Virginia
Sept. 29 Florida State
Oct. 5 Georgia Tech
Oct. 13 at Boston College
Oct. 27 Wake Forest
Nov. 3 at Clemson
Nov. 9 at Syracuse
Nov. 17 NC State
Nov. 24 Kentucky
Safid DeenContact ReporterOrlando Sentinel
The Lamar Jackson era at the University of Louisville is over for coach Bobby Petrinoand the Cardinals.
But Petrino believes he has a new quarterback in place ready to own the starting job after two seasons as Jackson’s backup.
And that player, redshirt sophomore Juwon Pass, will get to lead the Louisville offense in Week 1 against defending national champion Alabama at Camping World Stadium on Sept. 1.
The Cardinals are No. 66 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 66: Louisville
Coach: Bobby Petrino (8-5, entering ninth season; 75-27 overall)
2017 record: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference; tied-third in Atlantic Division
Look back: After a 9-4 campaign that saw Jackson break numerous offensive records en route to the 2016 Heisman Trophy, Louisville had high expectations entering the 2017 season.
The Cardinals fell short.
Louisville was blown out by Clemson in a highly anticipated rematch and suffered losses to surging NC State and Boston College during consecutive weeks by the middle of October.
The Cardinals won four of their last five games during the regular season before falling to Mississippi State in the TaxSlayer Bowl.
Despite Jackson producing another standout offensive season, the Cardinals were unable to break through in the Atlantic Division race.
Offensive starters returning: 7
Offensive starters lost: 4
Defensive starters returning: 3
Defensive starters lost: 8
Key losses: QB Lamar Jackson, DB Jaire Alexander, OL Geron Christian, RB Reggie Bobbafon, RB Malik Williams, TE Charles Standberry, DT De’Asian Richardson, DE Trevon Young, DE James Hearns, LB Stacy Thomas, DB Trumaine Washington, DB Zykiesis Cannon, DB Chucky William.
Top returnees: WR Jaylen Smith, WR Seth Dawkins, WR Dez Fitzpatrick, WR Traveon Samuel, LB Dorian Etheridge, DE G.G. Robinson, DB Dee Smith, DE Jon Greenard, DT Henry Famurewa.
Strengths: Jackson’s departure will drastically alter Louisville’s offense.
Instead of a dual-threat quarterback, Pass is a pocket passer who will allow Petrino to employ more pro-style elements into the mix.
During Louisville’s spring game, Pass completed 26 of 37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns.
And he already has a favorite target in the passing game in Dez Fitzpatrick, who had eight catches for 174 yards with two touchdowns during the spring game. Fitzpatrick led the Cardinals with nine touchdowns and 699 yards receiving last season.
Weaknesses: The Cardinals’ defense was in the bottom five of the ACC, giving up averages 27.4 points and 388.1 yards per game last season. And an already porous unit loses eight of its starters heading into next season.
But Petrino is counting on new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to help the unit make some strides. Linebacker Dorian Etheridge, who led the team with 83 total tackles last season, is emerging as a leader of the defense, which loses strong players such as cornerback Jaire Alexander, defensive end James Hearns, linebacker Stacy Thomas and defensive tackle Trevon Young.
Outlook: Petrino’s team could surely experience growing pains, with a new quarterback leading the offense and a new defensive coordinator implementing a new system.
Outside of matchups against Alabama, FSU and Clemson, Louisville could be a team in transition or an overachiever this season.
2018 Schedule
Sept. 1 Alabama in Orlando
Sept. 8 Indiana State
Sept. 15 Western Kentucky
Sept. 22 at Virginia
Sept. 29 Florida State
Oct. 5 Georgia Tech
Oct. 13 at Boston College
Oct. 27 Wake Forest
Nov. 3 at Clemson
Nov. 9 at Syracuse
Nov. 17 NC State
Nov. 24 Kentucky
