SB Nation - Louisville Cardinals

Goode possibly done for the year

Mike Rutherford — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:31:10 -0000

I think he plays tremendously hard and cares about the team winning as much as anyone who's worn a Cardinal uniform in recent memory. I feel awful that injuries have forced him to miss so much action thus far in his U of L career and hope like hell that he gets the opportunity to perform at 100% for the next two years.

All that said, this is one of the greatest quotes in Louisville basketball history.

"Unfortunately George fell down yesterday," Pitino said of the sophomore forward, "He didn’t bang anything. He just fell down."

Goode, who is notoriously clumsy, has already suffered two concussions this season and now might be out for the rest of the year with a meniscus tear suffered at practice Thursday. Here's hoping the injury isn't as severe as it appears or that if it is, his recovery is swift.

The good news is that Preston (Preston!) Knowles and Peyton Siva have both been ruled good to go for Saturday's all-of-the-sudden very important game with Western Carolina. Jerry Smith, who just returned to practice, will not play.

The best Louisville game of the decade tournament quarterfinals: 3 vs. 11

Mike Rutherford — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:35:27 -0000

The decade is rapidly drawing to a close, so we need to speed things up and make sure we name a best Louisville game of the decade before the clock hits midnight on Dec. 31. Because if we don't, you know, people are going to die.

Let's hit it.

3. LOUISVILLE NOTCHES FIRST BCS BOWL VICTORY OVER WAKE FOREST IN PETRINO'S LAST GAME

I don't think it is hyperbole to say that this was the biggest victory in UofL football history (with all due respect to the WVU/Black Out game) but it was far from the most exciting. Whether it was Fox's terrible coverage, the lack of crowd energy translating to TV, the limited possessions (remember, this was the only season of the new clock rules that allowed teams like Wake to waste a bunch of time), Wake Forest's stingy defense, or the lack of signature moments like a Mario stiff-arm, this game just sorta happened.

But in looking back, there were actually some really great plays, especially on the pivotal drive. A scoreless third quarter by the Cards, plus 10 unanswered points by Wake put us down 13-10 early in the 4th Quarter. An 8-play, 81-yard drive, highlighted by a swing pass that Kolby Smith willed into a 25 yard gain (I seem to remember making some guys miss in the backfield) led to an Anthony Allen 1-yard TD run.

The defense held Wake to a 3-and-out and then Jimmy Riley made the play of his career to complete a first down on third and long - remember, he caught the ball a few yards short of the marker with guys on him but somehow was able to get a huge first down. Bolen added the nail for a 24-13 lead, and the Cards won the Orange Bowl!

The big questions afterward were who would be back: Brohm? Mario? Malik Jackson? Harry? Less than a week later....I can't even type it.

At any rate, this is a #3 seed because a BCS bowl win is always a big deal, even if it is not the championship game. And because I'm sure I wasn't the only cards fan who said to himself, I don't want to spend the money to go down to the Orange Bowl, I'll wait until the Sugar Bowl next year. And even if Wake is not an ACC power, that was a good team with a smart coach and a stingy defense, and we still beat the spread and were not really challenged in the 4th quarter.

11. LOUISVILLE STOMPS PERENNIAL POWERHOUSE MIAMI AT PJCS (9/16/06)

The game wasn't competitive, but this was the moment Louisville football really captured the attention of the American public.

After the Cards had suffered a crushing three-point loss in Miami two years prior, this statement game was hyped all summer by Louisville fans and local media. The intensity was ratcheted up a notch when a war of words broke out between U of L linebacker Nate Harris (a UM transfer) and Hurricane quarterback Kyle Wright in the days leading up to the contest, and then set ablaze when players from The U elected to stomp on the Cardinal bird during pregame warm-ups.

After falling behind 7-0, Louisville ripped off 31 straight points to score one of the biggest victories in program history and establish themselves as a legitimate contender for the national championship.

"Well it was pretty obvious today we were embarrassed," Miami coach Larry Coker said after the game. "Our players are embarrassed. Our coaches are embarrassed. We thoroughly got whipped."

Everyone knows the details: Harris' fumble recovery, Brohm's injury, Cantwell's first pass, George Stripling's ridiculous speed and, of course, the Mario stiff-arm.

What an ass-kicking and what a day to be a Louisville football fan.

Vote or Fall Out Boy will dedicate a song to you.

Poll

Which Louisville game was better?

DeMarcus Smith commits to Louisville

Mike Rutherford — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:10:36 -0000

So this is already starting to get fun.

About 24 hours after being introduced as the Cardinals' coach, Strong met with and picked up a verbal commitment from DeMarcus Smith, Seneca High School's highly regarded junior quarterback.

Smith told The Courier-Journal that he talked with Strong by phone Wednesday night and went to the UofL football offices on Thursday to meet the former Florida defensive coordinator.

Smith said he was "very, very excited."

"I could tell he was just as good as advertised, maybe better," he said of Strong. "He let me know he was going to do whatever it was going to take to keep me here. He seems like a very cool guy. I told him I was his guy."

Smith threw for 3,227 yards and 32 touchdowns and run for 457 yards and three more scores during his sophomore season, but missed all of last year with a knee injury. Despite the injury, Smith was widely regarded as Kentucky's top recruit from the class of 2011 and was being courted by Kentucky, Oregon, Ohio State and Tennessee, among others.

According to Jody Demling, Strong will now turn his focus to landing Central linebacker Tim Patterson and Ballard wide receiver DeVante Parker. Patterson is the top-rated recruit in the state for the class of 2010 while Parker, a junior, is a football and basketball star who has previously stated his desire to play at PJCS.

Good god I've missed this.

Morning (Strong) coffee: The day after

Mike Rutherford — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:11:35 -0000

It's happening. THE PUNS ARE HAPPENING.

1. A fantastic day for Louisville football yesterday as I'm not sure the introduction of Charlie Strong as head football coach could have gone any better. He came off as extremely genuine and showed significant emotion, something we'd grown unaccustomed to over the past three years.

I really, really, really can't believe he's 49-years-old.

If you missed or want to relive the panty-dropping magic that was yesterday's press conference, you can watch or listen to it right here.

2. The Courier has a copy of Strong's contract, which will pay him $1.6M a year, about what Bobby Petrino was making before he bolted for a three-week stint in the NFL.

It's worth noting that if Strong leads the Cards to a BCS bowl he will receive a $100,000 bonus, while if he leads them to the BCS National Title game he gets just $50,000. To make up the difference I'm willing to offer up my soul. It's still got a little value left. Yes it does, mom.

3. Teams with Strong on their coaching staff are 19-1 against Kentucky.

If he can find a way to beat the Cats in his debut, in front of a packed house in the newly expanded stadium, I'll create a dance in his honor. Odds of it involving pants: 0:0.

4. The biggest issue now becomes who Strong will bring in to make up his staff.

As far as offensive coordinator goes, Billy Gonzales is out and I'm still hearing that the No. 1 candidate is now former Florida QB and current Jacksonville head coach Kerwin Bell. Yes, that Kerwin Bell. Bell is 18-16 in three seasons at JU, and the Dolphins are averaging 32 points per game this year.

Also worth noting is that in addition to he who shall not be named, the only coach who has been removed from the roster on UofLSports.com is defensive coordinator Brent Guy. As miserable as this season was, I thought Guy actually did a highly commendable job with the situation he was handed and I wish him nothing but the best wherever he lands.

5. OK, Kentucky's good and they're only going to get better. Also, John Wall's the best player in college basketball and he's only going to get the best player in college basketballerer.

Watching him take the game over last night, I kept busting out the lines by the cocky leader of the team with uniforms from The Sandlot. "It's pretty easy when you play with a bunch of rejects and a fat kid, hey John. Except for Wall, you're all an insult to the game."

Nobody laughed, but they were female UK fans - who, as we all know, don't count - so I didn't think twice about continuing. For the record, female U of L fans are god's gift to the world and absolutely do count. Female U of L fans who read Card Chronicle count five times as much and will bear children who will someday bring about world peace and multiple Cardinal national championships. Thank you for being who you are.

6. I'm getting really worried about this Western Carolina game. The Catamounts are a legit contender for the ~~DavidsonCon~~ SoCon title and if they come into Freedom Hall and spring the upset then the Cards are automatically thrust back into the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

I know we usually wait until sometime in early January for this, but we need to go ahead and get the train properly on the tracks this Saturday.

7. Things aren't getting any better for T-Will in Jersey. Turns out his benching Tuesday night wasn't because of his dubious Twittering, but because he stayed out late Monday night and missed the team bus the next day.

The rookie wing missed the bus to the morning shootaround Tuesday, which carries an automatic fine and – as most coaches play it with rookies – a benching that night.

But just as relevant, the team learned that Williams stayed out very late Monday night – and that’s why assistant coach Doug Overton made the executive decision to test Williams by having him run the United Center steps, according to two officials who required anonymity because they are not authorized to speak for the team.

"So they decided to put him on ice," one of the officials said. "Now let’s see if he gets the message."

I realize that the situation with the Nets sucks, but T-Will's got to understand that he's being paid millions of dollars and his job is playing a game. Suck it up, enjoy being rich and understand that things are going to get better. Also, if you want out of Jersey that bad, you're not doing a real good job of marketing yourself for other franchises.

I still love you.

8. Reminder: There will be a T-Will autograph session this evening at 8 p.m. at Angio's on Bradstown Rd.

Mike Rutherford of CardChronicle.com and University of Dayton intramural basketball fame might very well be making an appearance.

9. The fine folks at The Spotted Bass are already selling "Card Strong" t-shirts. Pretty solid Christmas gift.

10. Strong posted the following message on his official Facebook page last night.

Charlie Strong: had a great time at the press conference, thank you too all of the fans who came out and supported me and my family. Down to the waterfront for the banquet, go cards!

Yep, after six years of pretty persistent bashing, I bit the bullet and got on Facebook. My next move: purchasing a camera phone and starting to watch The Office. Predictably, I've taken a lot of heat for the move, but receiving an email saying Charlie Strong has confirmed me as a friend is the moment that made it all worthwhile.

11. Charlie Strong.

We are friends.

Open Thread: Charlie Strong press conference

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:32:49 -0000

Try to "bag" this guy and see what happens.

Trent Guy the lone Cardinal honored by Big East

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:44:06 -0000

Yikes. Here's the full list of the 2009 postseason awards:

2009 BIG EAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL AWARDS

BIG EAST CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh (Fr., Albany, N.Y.)

BIG EAST CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh (Jr., Coral Springs, Fla.)
Mick Williams, Pittsburgh (Sr., Monessen, Pa.)

BIG EAST CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati (Sr., Bunnell, Fla.)

BIG EAST CONFERENCE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh (Fr., Albany, N.Y.) *

BIG EAST CONFERENCE COACH OF THE YEAR
Brian Kelly, Cincinnati

HONORARY CAPTAIN, ALL-BIG EAST TEAMS
Jasper Howard, Connecticut

ALL-BIG EAST CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Pos.	Player	School	Cl.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School
WR	Mardy Gilyard	Cincinnati	Sr.	6-1	187	Bunnell, Fla./Flagler Palm Coast
WR	Jonathan Baldwin	Pittsburgh	So.	6-5	225	Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa
OT	Jason Pinkston	Pittsburgh	Jr.	6-4	305	Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin
OT	Anthony Davis	Rutgers	Jr.	6-6	325	Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway
OG	Zach Hurd	Connecticut	Jr.	6-7	314	Waterford, Conn./Waterford
OG	John Malecki	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-3	285	Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional
C	Chris Jurek	Cincinnati	Sr.	6-2	286	Southfield, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup
TE	Dorin Dickerson	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-2	230	Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny
QB	Tony Pike	Cincinnati	Sr.	6-6	210	Cincinnati, Ohio/Reading
QB	Bill Stull	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-3	215	Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle
RB	Dion Lewis *	Pittsburgh	Fr.	5-8	195	Albany, N.Y./Blair Academy
RB	Noel Devine *	West Virginia	Jr.	5-8	175	Fort Myers, Fla./North Fort Myers
K	Tyler Bitancurt	West Virginia	Fr.	6-1	188	Springfield, Va./West Springfield
RS	Mardy Gilyard	Cincinnati	Sr.	6-1	187	Bunnell, Fla./Flagler Palm Coast

DEFENSE
Pos.	Player	School	Cl.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School
DL	Lindsey Witten	Connecticut	Sr.	6-4	255	Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville
DL	Greg Romeus *	Pittsburgh	Jr.	6-6	270	Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Glades
DL	Mick Williams	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-1	280	Monessen, Pa./Monessen
DL	Jason Pierre-Paul	USF	Jr.	6-6	265	Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach
DL	Arthur Jones	Syracuse	Sr.	6-4	291	Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott
LB	Lawrence Wilson	Connecticut	Jr.	6-1	221	Tuscaloosa, Ala./Paul W. Bryant
LB	Adam Gunn	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-2	230	Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area
LB	Kion Wilson	USF	Sr.	6-2	235	Jacksonville, Fla./Raines
LB	J.T. Thomas	West Virginia	Jr.	6-2	224	Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Ely
CB	Aaron Berry	Pittsburgh	Sr.	5-11	180	Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt
CB	Devin McCourty	Rutgers	Sr.	5-11	190	Nanuet, N.Y./St. Joseph's/Montvale
CB	Brandon Hogan	West Virginia	Jr.	5-10	188	Manassas, Va./Osbourn
S	Aaron Webster	Cincinnati	Sr.	6-2	211	Southfield, Mich./Birmingham Groves
S	Robert Sands	West Virginia	So.	6-5	211	Opa Locka, Fla./Miami-Carol City
P	Rob Long	Syracuse	Jr.	6-4	175	Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West

* unanimous selection


ALL-BIG EAST CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Pos.	Player	School	Cl.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School
WR	Armon Binns	Cincinnati	Jr.	6-4	200	Pasadena, Calif./Pasadena
WR	Tim Brown	Rutgers	Sr.	5-8	165	Miami, Fla./Northwestern
OT	Jeff Linkenbach	Cincinnati	Sr.	6-6	311	Sandusky, Ohio/Margaretta
OT	Selvish Capers	West Virginia	Sr.	6-5	298	Kenner, La./St. Augustine
OG	Alex Hoffman	Cincinnati	So.	6-5	293	Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral
OG	Jason Kelce	Cincinnati	Jr.	6-4	290	Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights
OG	Ryan Bartholomew	Syracuse	Sr.	6-3	290	Mitchellville, Md./DeMatha
C	Samson Genus	USF	Jr.	6-1	314	Lake City, Fla./Columbia
TE	Ben Guidugli	Cincinnati	Jr.	6-0	237	Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands
TE	Nate Byham	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-4	265	Franklin, Pa./Franklin
QB	Jarrett Brown	West Virginia	Sr.	6-4	221	West Palm Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Lakes
RB	Andre Dixon	Connecticut	Sr.	6-1	201	New Brunswick, N.J./New Brunswick
RB	Jordan Todman	Connecticut	So.	5-9	189	North Dartmouth, Mass./North Dartmouth
K	Dan Hutchins	Pittsburgh	Jr.	5-11	190	Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Township
RS	Trent Guy	Louisville	Sr.	5-9	166	Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte

DEFENSE
Pos.	Player	School	Cl.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School
DL	Ricardo Mathews	Cincinnati	Sr.	6-3	294	Jacksonville, Fla./Terry Parker
DL	Gus Mustakus	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-3	285	Cooper City, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna Prep
DL	George Selvie	USF	Sr.	6-4	245	Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest
DL	Chris Neild	West Virginia	Jr.	6-2	298	Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg
LB	Greg Lloyd	Connecticut	Jr.	6-1	245	Clermont, Fla./East Ridge
LB	Derrell Smith	Syracuse	Sr.	6-1	224	New Castle, Del./Paul M. Hodgson
LB	Reed Williams	West Virginia	Sr.	6-1	228	Moorefield, W.Va./Moorefield
CB	Robert McClain	Connecticut	Sr.	5-9	202	Lusby, Md./Patuxent
CB	Jerome Murphy	USF	Sr.	6-1	185	Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth
S	Dom DeCicco	Pittsburgh	Jr.	6-3	230	Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson
S	Nate Allen	USF	Sr.	6-2	206	Cape Coral, Fla./Cape Coral
P	Scott Kozlowski	West Virginia	Sr.	5-11	191	West Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach

Strong links

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:53:43 -0000

The official word from U of L is that there will be a press conference at 4 p.m. at the Brown & Williamson Club followed by a fan event at 5 p.m. No word yet on exactly what the fan event will entail, but I think I speak for everyone when I express my hope that Kragthrorpe pinatas will be involved.

Closure, people. It's healthy.

If you're going solely off the opinions of Florida fans, then the Louisville football program with Charlie Strong at the helm should be dominating both the Big East and the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony for the better part of the next decade. EDSBS offered up this yesterday.

Strong did nothing but create ballsy defenses, including the one carrying Florida to the 2006 title almost singlehandedly–a defense that, last year’s unit mentioned with no disrespect, may have been his crowning achievement since the ‘08 unit had such support from the offense. (Though the one game award may have to go to the BCS Title game last year, where Florida stymied what many considered one of the best offenses to ever take the field in the modern era.)
The opportunity is long overdue, and richly deserved. Now let us hug like men, though not too tightly in your case, lest a broken rib scar the memory of our parting. If Louisville gets nothing else by hiring a tireless recruiter and brilliant defensive mind, it gets a coach capable of demonstrating the benchmark weights in all exercises for incoming recruits all by himself. Vaya con dios, sir.

The comments below are equally flattering.

As noted earlier, Strong has made just one formal quote about the Louisville job, saying earlier: "It's a great opportunity for me. I think I'm going into a situation where I have great support and great resources to win. And it's also a good chance to build a program.''

My desire to shout out, "How do you plan on utilizing Rock Keys?" right when they open the floor for questions this afternoon is ridiculously high.

If you haven't checked out Eric Crawford's column yet, please do.

Charlie Strong > Rider Strong

It's closer than you'd think.

The big thing to watch today is whether or not Strong will bring Billy Gonzales with him to take over as offensive coordinator. If he does, it'll be cool.

Strong piece from the Orlando Sentinel.

Easily the most excited I've been about Cardinal football in two years. If you're able, please head out to the stadium this afternoon and help welcome Coach Strong to The Ville.

Charlie Strong is your new head football coach

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:30:22 -0000

So apparently I blacked out while driving back from the Orange Bowl, but I'm told Petrino's at Arkansas. That's a weird move. Oh well, if Brohm comes back we're going to have enough firepower to win ten games with Ryan Seacrest as head coach.

What?

To Syracuse?

Three years in a row?

Connecticut too?

Who the hell is Preston Knowles?

CARMODY DIDN'T WIN THE GROZA AGAIN?!?!

Good god. At least this guy sounds confident.

"It's a great opportunity for me,'' he said. "I think I'm going into a situation where I have great support and great resources to win. And it's also a good chance to build a program.''

If Falcon Beach got cancelled then you should probably keep it to yourself because lord knows I couldn't stomach the blow right now.

Exclusive CC video: Louisville's new head football coach

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:40 -0000

Charlie's brother = Big East.

U of L press conference scheduled for 4 p.m. tomorrow

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:50:56 -0000

Again, I haven't been told by anyone why it's being held, but as of right now U of L has absolutely scheduled a press conference for 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Brown & Williamson Club.

When asked about these three facts, respectively, a source close to the Louisville football program responded: "yep," "uh-huh" and "yep." When asked if the questioner would be correct in assuming that the respondent would not be able to confirm the rationale behind calling the press conference, the respondent had the following to say: "yep."

See, that right there, that's how I got here, people. That's how I afford cordless phones.

In all seriousness, I'm excited...until this turns out to be for the unveiling of the 2011 softball schedule.

UPDATE: Official: U of L athletic personnel committee to meet tomorrow at 3:30

Just waiting for the OK to launch the pun assault.

C-J:

The University of Louisville has announced that the Personnel Committee of the U of L Athletic Association Board of Directors will meet to discuss personnel matters at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

The school is seeking a replacement for football Steve Kragthorpe. Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong is considered to be athletic director Tom Jurich’s top target.