Kentucky at Louisville
September 5, 2004 | 3:30 p.m.
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
ESPN2 | 840 WHAS
QUOTES
Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino
On QB Stefan LeFors:
Stefan is a calming influence for our team. He's very confident and plays with a lot of poise and he's done
a nice job of leading since I've been here. He's a very accurate passer, always makes good decisions and he understands the offense and distributes the
ball to the open man and doesn't try to force things. Basically, you can trust where the ball is going to go any time he's out there.
On the game:
It's different. Last year we were the underdog. This year we have a lot of players coming back. We've done a nice job of concentrating
in practice and everyone is real excited for it. I think it is going to be a really good game. It should be a real good battle because they guys that
can make big plays and we have guys that can make big plays. I'm interested to see how their offense and our defense matchup.
On Kentucky's defense:
As I watched Kentucky's defense [last year] and saw how much they improved week in and week out last year throughout the season. All of those
guys are back, so I think it's a good challenge for our offense. I think it'll be a real good battle.
Kentucky Head Coach Rich Brooks
Shane Boyd (UK) |
On QB Shane Boyd: I think he’s doing very well. He has a very good grasp of the offense, and he’s in better shape
than he was a year ago. He’s lighter than he was a year ago. We’ll find out how he is Sunday when we get him in the whole game.
On whether Louisville’s offense or defense is the greatest cause for concern: They both pose a concern.
Offensively, they’ve got a lot of great weapons coming back. They had one of the most productive offenses in the country a year ago,
and they return most of the people responsible for that. Their quarterback is a great playmaker, a great leader, and just a heck of
a quarterback. They have an experienced offensive line, great running backs, and fast, talented receivers. We’re missing a few healthy bodies
on the defensive side even though our depth is improved in some areas. It’s still a concern when you go in without a starting linebacker, a starting corner and
an injured all-SEC defensive lineman. So, that is a concern. Their offense is explosive, so we have to deal with it. Defensively, we
don’t know exactly what they’re going to do because they have a new defensive coordinator. So, we’re going to have to be flexible early in
the game and try to get a bead on how they’re trying to defend us and make some adjustments.
On the Rivalry:
It really hasn’t changed. I knew it was important. I’ve lived a year of hearing about how we got our fannies kicked. It wasn’t a fun year,
not only from that standpoint, but also from having four wins. Obviously, this is a very important football game. I don’t think anybody has
to nudge me and tell me that.
NOTES
LOUISVILLE
-
Louisville is looking to win its seventh straight game in the month of September.
-
The Cardinals offense returns nearly intact, including the school's single season receiving yards record holder in J.R. Russell and the Conference USA 1st Team quarterback, Stefan LeFors.
Eric Shelton (ITV) |
-
The running back group of Eric Shelton, Lionel Gates, Michael Bush and Kolby Smith rushed for a combined 2,241 yards during the 2003 season. The team total of 2,966 yards of last year was the most in school history.
-
The Cardinals 6,355 total offensive yards last year was also the most in school history for a single season, surpassing the previous mark of 6,156 set by the 1998 squad.
-
U of L racked up 420 yards of offense against UK in 2003, including 240 on the ground.
-
Kentucky quarterback Shane Boyd has attempted one pass against the Louisville defense in his career. Gavin Smart intercepted Boyd's only pass and returned it 41-yards and setting up an eventual Cardinal touchdown.
KENTUCKY
-
Kentucky has won 2 of 3 meetings against Louisville at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The Wildcats have outscored the Cardinals 124-91 in the three games held in Louisville.
- UK has eight players from Louisville including: WR Keenan Burton, LB Justin Haydock, C Casey Shumate and OT Matt Huff.
-
UK has an all-time record of 78-30-5 in season openers, but is just 6-13-1 when starting the season on the road.
-
Defensive end Sweet Pea Burns, who has been limited during fall camp because of an injury, is on the Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List, an award given to the nation's top defensive end.
-
Offensive guard Jason Rollins was named a 3rd Team Preseason All-American and 1st Team All-SEC by Phil Steele's College Football Magazine.
-
The Wildcats top rusher, Arliss Beach only gained 366 yards in 2003.
-
First year starting quarterback Shane Boyd averaged 6.0 yards per carry last fall.
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
(2003 statistics)
| |
Louisville |
Kentucky |
| Rushing Offense |
228.2 |
125.1 |
| Passing Offense |
260.7 |
202.2 |
| Total Offense |
488.8 |
327.2 |
| Scoring Offense |
34.6 |
27.3 |
| Rushing Defense |
170.3 |
186.7 |
| Passing Defense |
258.3 |
195.6 |
| Total Defense |
428.6 |
382.2 |
| Scoring Defense |
27.8 |
26.8 |
| Net Punting |
36.2 |
39.9 |
| Punt Returns |
9.2 |
10.2 |
| Kickoff Returns |
18.4 |
22.9 |
| Turnover Margain |
+3 |
+3 |
Tentative Starter Experience Comparison
|
SR |
JR |
SO |
r-FR |
FR |
| U of L |
9 |
9 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
| UK |
6 |
11 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
ITV PREDICTION
I've reviewed the depth chart, considered a likely option
style offense by UK, injuries and realized the effect that hype can play, but no
matter who many different angles I take I still come to the same conclusion....Louisville
will win this game.
However, it is a rivalry game and this series has had some
strange outcomes over the past few years. Many keep bringing up the 2002 upset victory
by Kentucky against a highly-touted Louisville program. Problem is, the problems
that existed then, don't now. Louisville returned nearly everyone on both sides of
the ball, while Kentucky is filling numerous holes with inexperienced players and
in some cases true freshmen.
The Kentucky defense will not be able to limit the Louisville
offense that can strike on the ground and through the air. On the flip side, I
expect the Kentucky offense to actually confuse the Cardinal defense for a series or two, but
it won't be enough to keep up on the scoreboard.
The Louisville defense will strengthen throughout the game,
while the Kentucky squad will tire. Cardinals rack it up on the ground and through
the air. U of L fans will get a chance to see Brian Brohm play early. Louisville wins
41-17.
