Louisville at Memphis
November 4, 2004 | 7:30 p.m.
Louisville, KY | Liberty Bowl
840 WHAS | ESPN
QUOTES
Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino
On of the Memphis defense: Defensively, they play a difficult scheme.
They're going to come after
us and blitz and play a lot of man coverage. They're not as experienced
as they were a year ago. I thought Cincinnati did a good job of running
the ball right at them and being very patient. Last year we made lot of
mistakes, and it was a game where we didn't execute and make plays. We
had opportunities to make plays and didn't do it, so we've just got to
make sure that that team doesn't show up again.
On the Memphis offense: Offensively,
they have 10 out of 11 starters returning from a year ago.
They have a real good scheme, they execute it very well and it will be
a good challenge for our defense. We've got to do a great job of
preparing for them and playing our style and being aggressive.
On Memphis RB Deangelo Williams: He's
really good. He's so quick and he's got such a strong lower body.
He has great vision and can catch the ball really well. He's got a
bright future.
Memphis Head Coach Tommy West
On
losing to Cincinnati last week: Getting behind took
us totally out of what we
wanted to do. Our intentions were to put that game on DeAngelo's
shoulders. We were going to run the ball more. Then, all of a sudden,
that was gone.
Memphis RB Deangelo Williams
On playing U of
L: It's
not the ranking. When we
played Louisville last year we were just as excited. It's just playing
Louisville as whole. I know they are going to get up for us; they
always have. It's just going to be two great teams on the field on
national television playing the finest football in America.
NOTES
GAME NOTES
Tonight's game marks the 40th meeting between
the Cardinals and the Tigers.
Louisville's 14th ranking in the AP poll is the
programs highest ranking since being ranked 13th in 1993.
U of L holds a very slight series advantage at
20-19.
Memphis defeated Louisville 37-7 last year at
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
U of L has four of the last five meetings.
LOUISVILLE
-
Senior quarterback Stefan LeFors is currently the most efficient passer in the nation. LeFors has completed more
than 80% of his pass attempts in three games this season, including
going 21 of 26 in the win over South Florida.
-
Linebacker Robert McCune,
who led the team with 143 tackles in 2003, is again tops on the
team. The senior has totaled 61 stops so far this season, an
average of 10.1 per outing, which ranks him 23rd in the NCAA.
-
U of L is 5-1 this season when seven or more
players catch at least one pass in a game. The team is 11-2
overall under Petrino when seven or more record at least one reception
in a game.
-
Stefan LeFors needs just 81 passing yards to
surpass John Madeya for 8th place on the school's career yards
list. With 215 passing yards, LeFors to move ahead of Browning
Nagle for 7th all-time.
- Through six games, the Cardinals have totaled 24 rushing
touchdowns, which along with Virginia, is the most in the country.
U of L's single season record for rushing touchdowns is 38.
MEMPHIS
-
When teams have off weeks, they like to use that
time to get better. Well, the Tigers have done just that. Of its last
three off weeks dating back to the 2003 season, Memphis is 3-0 in the
following games.
-
Tailback DeAngelo Williams is now one of 17
finalists for the Hossman Trophy which is presented each year to the
top collegiate player, regardless of position. He is also one of 24
finalists for the John Wooden Trophy which is presented to one college
and one professional athlete who best displays character, teamwork and
citizenship.
-
With the win over Tulane,
Memphis improved to 5-1, marking the first time since 1967 that Memphis
had opened with a 5-1 record.
-
Running back Deangelo Williams ranks 8th in the
nation in rushing with a per game average of 134.43. Williams is
averaging 5.17 yards per carry.
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
| |
Louisville |
Memphis |
| Rushing Offense |
228.33 |
179.43 |
| Passing Offense |
278.17 |
258.86 |
| Total Offense |
506.50 |
438.29 |
| Scoring Offense |
42.0 |
35.29 |
| Rushing Defense |
98.00 |
108.29
|
| Passing Defense |
181.83
|
270.85
|
| Total Defense |
279.83
|
379.14
|
| Scoring Defense |
13.0
|
27.29
|
| 3rd Down Conversion |
22/80 |
38/100 |
| Turnover Margain |
+9 |
-2 |
ITV
PREDICTION
The Louisville - Miami contest will be a nail-biter. The Tigers offense has a dangerous one-two punch in back Deangelo Williams and quarterback Danny Wimprine. Memphis will force the Cardinals defense to play honest, guarding against both the ground and air attack. Louisville, even more so than the host Tigers, has a potent and balanced offensive attack, which will create trouble for Memphis defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn.
Problem for the Tigers is that they are suspect against the pass, so Petrino, LeFors and company will likely face a frequent blitz in an attempt to slow down the Cardinals passing game. Look for U of L pick Memphis apart early with short passes and then eventually burn them deep.
Both teams will run the ball with some success, so this game will be decided through the air. Advantage Louisville.
Louisville 37 Memphis 24
"Get Used To It!" - Bobby Petrino