LOUISVILLE vs. UTEP
September 20, 2003 | 3:00 p.m.
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Quotes
Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino (ITV) |
On starting 2-0: "I really couldn't predict what our record would
be. Besides our record, it's nice to be 2-0, but I like the way we're playing. I
like the confidence we have. I like the way they've worked hard. I like the way
we've traveled. We've gone to meetings properly and acted well on the plane and
the bus. We've traveled like a more mature team that we really are."
On having a normal week of practice: "This will be
good for us to get into that routine. We've had all the time to get ready for
Kentucky and two weeks to get ready for Syracuse. This will be good for us. Last
night, the coaches started game planning. It will be good to get into a
three-day practice routine."
Gary Nord (UTEP) |
UTEP Head Coach Gary Nord
On his relationship with his brother and Louisville assistant Greg Nord:
"I talk to him four or five times a week, sometimes everyday. I've got a
funny feeling that I won't talk to him this week. It's difficult. He's my best
friend."
On his team's nation leading 14 turnovers:
"When you turn the ball over half the time you have it, it's unacceptable.
When you have unforced turnovers, it's unacceptable. I don't know what to do.
The defense played hard. The offense played hard, but played stupid."
Notes
LOUISVILLE
- The Cardinals are attempting to start 3-0 for the first
time since 2001.
- The Cardinals begin their sixth season in Papa John's
Cardinal Stadium when they host UTEP on Saturday. Louisville is 3-2 in home
openers at PJCS, and have won three of their last four home openers.
- Head coach Bobby Petrino will be just the third
first-year Louisville head coach to win their first three games if the
Cardinals can defeat UTEP on Saturday. Petrino would join Frank Camp and Tom
King as the only other two coaches to accomplish the feat. Camp won his first
three in 1946, while Tom King won all eight contests in 1925.
- With three more field goals made, senior kicker Nate Smith will become Louisville's leader in career field goals.
- Even though he is just a sophomore, Broderick Clark is
already 5th on the school's career kickoff return yards list. With just
114 more return yards Clark will surpass Aaron Bailey, who played for U of L
from 1992-93.
- Sophomore running back Eric Shelton loves the fourth
quarter. Shelton has rushed for 127 yards in the final period, averaging
an impressive 6 yards per carry. Shelton's 143 yards per game average
ranks him 7th in the country.
- The Cardinals are now 11-0 since the 2000 season when
an individual rushes for over 100 yards in a contest.
- Should Eric Shelton rush for more than 100 yards
against UTEP, he will become the first Louisville back to reach that mark in
three consecutive contests since Frank Moreau accomplished it in 1999.
- Louisville is averaging an amazing 6.9 yards a play on
first down through two games.
- The Cards are perfect in the red zone so far, going
7-for-7 to this point.
UTEP
- Head coach Gary Nord has many ties to the University of
Louisville. First, he's the brother of current Louisville assistant head coach
Greg Nord. Second, Gary was a three-year letterwinner for the Cards from
1977-79 and also served on the Louisville staff from 1981-94.
- The Miner's lead the nation in turnovers committed with
14 (4.7 per game).
- UTEP has lost 16 straight games on the road, with their
last road victory coming against Nevada on November 4, 2000. During that
span, opponents have scored 40 points or more 10 times and 50 points or more 5
times.
- Junior punter Bryce Benekos is on the Ray Gay watch
list, which is awarded to the nation's top punter. He is currently
averaging 40.1 yards per punt.
- UTEP currently ranks 25th in the nation in kickoff
returns with an average of 25.3 per return. Junior Jahmal Fenner leads
the Miners with an average of 26.6.
- The Miners are a young squad with just eight seniors on
the roster, six being on the two deep depth chart.
Statistical Comparison
| |
Louisville |
UTEP |
| Record |
2-0 |
0-3 |
| Total Offense |
420.0 |
264.0 |
| Points Scored |
35.0 |
6.7 |
| First Downs |
20.0 |
15.7 |
| Rushing Yards |
212.5 |
103.3 |
| Rushing Touchdowns |
3 |
0 |
| Passing Yards |
223.0 |
160.7 |
| Passing Touchdowns |
4 |
2 |
| Time of Possession |
30:37 |
28:14 |
| 3rd Down Conversion |
13/27 |
20/54 |
| Points Allowed |
22.0 |
36.7 |
| Total Defense |
395.0 |
408.0 |
| Rushing Yards Allowed |
162.5 |
192.0 |
| Passing Yards Allowed |
232.5 |
216.0 |
| Turnover Margain |
+2 |
-9 |
| Louisville |
UTEP |
| Rushing Yards |
|
| E. Shelton.......................143.0 |
J. Smith...........................29.0 |
| Passing Yards |
|
| S. LeFors.......................223.0 |
O. Cruz...........................82.0 |
| Receptions |
|
| B. Clark.........................5.0 |
J. Crafts..........................4.3 |
| Receiving Yards |
|
| J.R. Russell....................89.0 |
J. Crafts..........................43.7 |
| Points Scored |
|
| N. Smith........................10.0 |
J. Gonzales.....................2.0 |
| Interceptions |
|
| J. Minkins......................0.5 |
J. Fleskoski....................0.3 |
| G. Smart........................0.5 |
|
| Tackles |
|
| R. McCune...................11.5 |
T. Howard.......................9.3 |
ITV Prediction
Defensively UTEP is expected to play mostly man coverage
on Louisville's receivers, which should open numerous opportunities for the
Cards receivers and tight ends. Tack on the fact that the Miner's have had
a difficult time stopping the run, allowing nearly 200 yards a contest and
Louisville is poised to have a large offensive outing once again.
Louisville must stay focused throughout the game and
protect the ball. Upsets happen when teams are careless with the ball and
make unforced mistakes, so the Cardinals must stay within the game plan and play
like they have in their first two games.
UTEP's biggest threat may be on kickoffs, so Louisville's
kickoff cover team can not allow frequent long returns, giving the Miner offense
a short field to work with.
Expect to see a number of younger and inexperienced
players to get action on Saturday.
Louisville wins going away, 52-13.