Tuesday, September 10, 2002
Improved Cardinals prepare for stiff test
By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville coach John L. Smith said the Cardinals improved — but not that much — between their season-opening loss to Kentucky and their 40-3 win over Duke last Saturday.
“Not dramatic, but a step forward,” Smith summarized at his weekly news conference on Monday.
He has already warned his players they'll have to play a lot better to win at No. 25 Colorado State (2-1) on Saturday.
“That's not a Colorado State team we played last week. We've got to understand how good this team coming up is going to be,” Smith said.
The Cardinals (1-1) dominated Duke on both sides of the ball, but Smith said his team lost its mental edge after building a 26-3 halftime lead. He's seen the same trend in recent practices, so he's shaking up the schedule this week, moving harder-hitting scrimmaging to the start.
“The later (in practice) is where we're having problems,” Smith said. “We're pretty intense early, so what we want to do is move that team segment up to where we are really getting after it, rather than have it late to where we're losing focus.”
Smith made several other adjustments following the 22-17 loss to Kentucky on Sept. 1. They yielded mixed results against Duke.
Quarterback Dave Ragone moved under center after spending all of the Kentucky game working out of the shotgun. He threw two interceptions, but also completed 23-of-34 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
“David's got to be more secure with the ball. He can't throw the picks that he's throwing,” Smith said. “He's trying to do a heck of a lot more than he should.”
After a dismal showing by the offensive line in the opener, Smith replaced starting offensive guards Antoine Sims and Jason Weathers with Will Rabatin and Jason Spitz.
The Cardinals rushed for 192 yards against Duke after gaining only 55 yards on the ground against the Wildcats. But Ragone was sacked four times, one more than Kentucky registered the previous week.
“Our front played much faster than it did a week ago,” Smith said. “We're still not doing some things right, but at least we're getting effort. If we can take another jump up this weekend, playing even faster, we're going to be OK.”
Rabatin, a 6-foot-1, 301-pound sophomore, broke his right leg against Duke and is out at least four weeks.
In an emergency move, Smith moved junior defensive lineman Chad Pinkston to the offensive line. Pinkston figured he'd be crossing over when Smith summoned him to his office last week.
“He's very sharp, very intelligent, and we needed help,” Smith said. “He walks into my office and says, 'Coach, you want to move me?' I said, 'How did you know?' He said, 'I'm not a dummy.”'
Louisville's veteran defense, as expected, has turned in two solid performances. The Blue Devils didn't make a first down until late in the second quarter and mustered only eight first downs in the game.
But Louisville still hasn't generated a turnover after recording 69 takeaways over the past two seasons — second only to defending national champion Miami.
Smith is more worried about the offense committing turnovers, than the defense eventually getting some.
“Turnovers are going to come,” he said. “We're playing good defense, and we've had opportunities for the turnovers. If we just continue to hustle and run to the football, good things are going to happen.”
Sports Stories
Reds 9, Pirates 8
Reds Box, Runs
Reds left to guess on budget for '03
Left shoulder injury ends Casey's season
Sasaki says elbow OK
Sosa fed up, wants changes
Ballplayer's kindness honors mother's heroics
Cardinals 3, Brewers 0
Cubs 3, Expos 2
Astros 6, Rockies 5, 10 innings
Athletics 2, Angels 1
Giants 6, Dodgers 5
Frerotte says he'll play with a bum thumb
LeBeau: We will fix it
Stats paint a stark picture
Brown concerned with fan support after defeat
Browns get encouraging report on Tucker
To Browns fans, it's Rudd - as in Mudd
Cowboys sign Darnay Scott
NFL coaches take it on the chin in Week 1
No debating real national pastime anymore
Texans still glowing after their victory over Cowboys
Williams inks Dolphins deal
Pats rough up Steelers on MNF
Mountaineers are first, Buckeyes later for UC
Boys golf leaders, results
Girls golf results
Boys soccer results
Girls soccer results
Field hockey results
Girls tennis results
Volleyball results
Improved Cardinals prepare for stiff test
