Stop the presses! Bilal Powell's first media comments in three years (or something like that)...

...and he is just adorable. From Eric Crawford's blog.

"I told our offense that Bilal Powell wasn't going to come out of the game until he got his thousand yards."

Strong's postgame.

Louisville defense dominates, shuts out new breed of pussycat-huskies 26-0

This day, this game -- Louisville's first victory in conference play -- all belonged to to the play of the Cardinals' defensive unit. They led the way.

By no means were they perfect. While our defensive linemen and linebackers, and even cornerbacks and safeties, were tearing through UConn's offensive line early on, they kept missing tackles, allowing Jordan Todman to scoot by. Both the sheer number and awful timing of first half penalties -- by offense and defense -- were horrendous, nullifying great plays and threatening to keep close a game that Louisville was otherwise dominating. There were signs of frustration on the face of Charlie Strong throughout that penalty-bloody second quarter, though I couldn't quite make out any of the traces of "nervousness" on his face that was suggested elsewhere.

(As an aside: at this point, for this squad, I think we may just have to get used to the high number of penalties our defense incurs, as a necessary sacrifice to the Gods of aggressive play and chance-taking. Then again, the Cards committed not a single penalty in the second half, when they really stepped up their level of play. So I don't know. Okay, end aside).

But you can't argue with what the final stats say about the overall performance of this Louisville defense. The Cards kept UConn off the scoreboard -- their second shutout of the year -- and held them to 195 total yards. The Huskies managed only 11 first downs -- compared to Louisville's 20 -- for the entire game. Quarterbacks Zach Fraser and Michael Box could only manage 87 yards in the air against our secondary. I know, I know, neither player was UConn's true starter before the events of this past week. But in a game where UConn trailed all the way and thus had to throw, holding the opponent to 87 yards was still pretty damn good.

Most critically, Louisville dominated the turnover margin 3-0. With our offense having difficulty getting revved up and yellow flags flying all around, it was the forced fumbles, interceptions and recoveries by our alert defenders -- Johnny Patrick's INT, Hakeem Smith's strip, Deon Rogers' recovery after UConn bobbled a punt -- that ultimately put the game beyond reach.

Thanks to the defensive domination, Doug Beaumont's second career touchdown on a punt return (which should have been his third touchdown given the phantom penalty that nullified his other touchdown punt return), Chris Philpott's rediscovered accuracy (nice call Mr. Red, though conservative as it turned out -- Philpott nailed four), and of course Bilal Powell, Louisville beat a Connecticut squad that many had picked to beat us at season's beginning.

By no means has the list of areas in need of rapid improvement diluted much from last week. The red zone offense is still abysmal, and if dropped-pass-disease isn't soon cured amongst our receiver corps, we might have to start talking exorcisms over Halloween weekend. But I gotta say, watching and thinking about this game compared to the loss against Cincinnati, what screams loudest and in greatest contrast is that in this game, it was like we knew how to win. Turnover margin is part of it. Increasing maturity is another. Experience gained with every game is maybe most important of all.

We are now 1-1 in conference play, and not a single conference game left is unwinnable. Cards fans aren't being shy about it anymore: we want a bowl game. As it stands, this is also the first true surprise win on our schedule, even if supported by other factors. Charlie Strong has Louisville fans believing again; thus, no one believes it will be our last.

Congrats on the quality win... Go Cards!

...and predictions

Bilal Powell will have an "off game" -- only 12o yards rushing. Adam Froman will have a real off day with a fumble and an interception (no jinx this week), but his receivers, especially Cameron Graham Andrell Smith (screw it... I think Smith is due), will pick up the slack and make some exceptional catches. And Josh Bellamy will break a play for at least fifty yards (by the way, you know how great it is to make predictions like "Josh Bellamy will break a play for at least fifty yards" and not get laughed in your face? Nice to have an offense again).

The defense will play better than last week, with Darius Ashley raising his stock from "man he's learning fast" to "man he's something special." If the defense can hold the Huskies under thirty points, and/or Johnny Patrick returns an interception for a touchdown, call this one for the Cards (with a bit of weird karma score-wise), 35-27. Player of the game: Powell. Suck it UConn!

Wait, we're favored!

By 2! Against an FBS team! How come no one told me? There should really be a website or something that keeps people up to date on this kind of thing.

And yes, I know that Vegas equates home field as getting 3 points, so they may not actually think us the better football team, but I don't care. It's just been so long. So, so long since we've been given the nod from the Las Vegas gurus. I think I might just cry a little, continue your web-surfing.

Predictions, predictions...

Getting mine out of the way early. I liked the Cards by double-digits before I found out about the Cody Endres suspension, so now I love the pick.

I think the Cards get the ball first and score on a Cameron Graham TD set up by a long Froman scramble. I think the defense, particularly the defensive line, has a banner day against their freshman QB registering at least 5 sacks and an INT. And I think Sanford has one more trick play up his sleeve that will ignite the crowd, the team, and set the stage for what could still become a special season.

I think Froman takes player of the game honors this week, mostly because UConn stacks the box to try and prevent Powell from beating them (though he'll still eek over 100).

A few more. I think Philpott redeems himself with a 3/3 outing, Phil Collins will not be heard (and if it he is, I'm taking hostages) and Chichester will drop a big gain pass in the 1st quarter, but make up for it with a TD in the 4th.

34-21. Book it. C'mon Cards, we need this one.

Night note

Since you would have to recalibrate the Apathy Scale to properly register how much I don't care about UofL parting ways with Terry Meiners, I'll let other haymakers make hay over that "scandal".
 
Instead I'll take a moment to discuss the commitments of Deuce Bello and Quincy Miller to Baylor today. It wasn't much of a shock, reports for the last 10 days or so had them going that way, though most thought it was down to Baylor and the Cards.

I was impressed with the way both handled their announcements, both were low-key, classy, and excited about their decisions. Best of luck to them down there.

I do have one eyebrow raised, however, over the recruiting muscle that Baylor has flexed in recent years. And this isn't just me spouting off, Baylor is currently being investigated by the NCAA for recruiting violations, and have self-reported themselves on others. The most recent accusations surround assistant coach Mark Morefield.

While recruiting foreign-born player Hanner Perea last summer, Morefield sent this threatening text to Perea's coach...

I guarantee u if he does [commit to another school] he will be in Colombia for the spring and summer and next year. Don’t forget it

Threatening deportation? Puts Masiello's trangressions into a little perspective, doesn't it? Pile this on top of leading scorer LaceDarius Dunn's alleged assault on a woman (though we may be in the glass-house market) and, wait for it, THE FACT THAT A BAYLOR PLAYER KILLED ANOTHER BAYLOR PLAYER not that long ago, and one does have to marvel at the resilience of Baylor basketball.

So in some strange way, I find comfort in the successes of Baylor, who's lowpoints dwarf anything that has happened at Louisville over the past few years. It reminds me that for all the bloviating of those that do this for a living or a hobby (see opening line), it's just fluff. No school is ever more than one recruiting class away from being "back".

And in that respect, I'm still brimming with optimism. It's not how we thought we'd get there, but the 2011 class for the Cards still appears to be stacked.

theHoff's Top 25 Breakdown

Note: theHoff is a special contributor to Cardinal Laws

Another week, more upsets. The curse of #1 continues, and we see some major shifts in the top 10. The BCS is out as well and the talking heads are already arguing. Honestly, I'm getting annoyed with it already. Hmmm, let's see, what would be the best way to decide which teams are better than others??

Maybe they should play EACH OTHER!! I'm not getting on that soap box yet, but just be prepared. Let's take a look at the new AP top 25:

1	Oregon (39)	6-0	1471
2	Boise State (15)	6-0	1433
3	Oklahoma (3)	6-0	1355
4	TCU (3)	7-0	1340
5	Auburn	7-0	1279
6	LSU	7-0	1132
7	Alabama	6-1	1121
8	Michigan State	7-0	1062
9	Utah	6-0	1019
10	Wisconsin	6-1	920
11	Ohio State	6-1	895
12	Stanford	5-1	828
13	Iowa	5-1	768
14	Nebraska	5-1	684
15	Arizona	5-1	619
16	Florida State	6-1	615
17	Oklahoma State	6-0	575
18	Missouri	6-0	552
19	South Carolina	4-2	372
20	West Virginia	5-1	346
21	Arkansas	4-2	343
22	Texas	4-2	267
23	Virginia Tech	5-2	122
24	Mississippi State	5-2	111
25	Miami (FL)	4-2	85

• Dropped from rankings: Nevada 19, Florida 22, Air Force 23, Oregon State 24

• Others receiving votes: USC 80, Kansas State 40, Nevada 19, North Carolina 8, Northwestern 8, Hawaii 8, Michigan 7, Georgia Tech 5, Oregon State 3, North Carolina State 2, Baylor 2, East Carolina 1, Air Force 1, Kentucky 1, Washington 1,

#1 Oregon (BCS 2)- The #1 offense keeps rolling with a win at Washington State followed with an off week. A bit of an odd game this week on Thursday against UCLA. The Bruins haven't been too impressive this year, sitting at .500, but this is a team that won at Texas. UCLA and Oregon have both had 12 days to prepare for this game. Oregon wins, but it might be a little closer than you think. Great excuse to drink beer Thursday.

#2 Boise St.(BCS 3)- The Broncos are making their perennial climb to the top as others lose to good teams. The margin in points is down to 38 between them and first. Boise doesn't play until next Tuesday, the 26th. Yes, Tuesday. We can thank their weak schedule for giving us reasons to drink and watch football on days that aren't Saturdays. The following game might be a bit of a challenge when they take on Hawaii, but playing the Rainbows on the Smurf Turf instead of flying over the Pacific will be advantage Broncs.

#3 Oklahoma (BCS 1)- Their last road game against Cincy was a squeaker, coming out with a 3 point W. This week they will face a much tougher test against #11 Mizzou. The Tigers will be playing their first ranked opponent in the Sooners. Oklahoma will have to score more than the 10.8 points per game that Mizzou is allowing to stay in the top 5. The Sooners only have two more tough tests left, @ Mizzou and finishing out the regular season @ Oklahoma St.

#4 TCU (BCS 5)- The Horned Frogs improved to 7-0 with at 31-3 win over BYU. Their #1 defense had better be ready for the #1 rushing offense (yards) in the country. Air Force comes in averaging 347 yards on the ground per game. TCU needs to play well here and start to turn up the heat because in a few weeks they will face Mountain West cohorts #9 Utah. These are two key games in a span of three weeks. The Horned Frogs are bound to show us what they're made of over that period.

#5 Auburn (BCS 4)- The Tiger's (War Eagles, or any other nickname they claim) game against Arkansas last week has got to be one of the most entertaining games of the year. Catching bottom screen score updates was like being on a teeter totter. Their bend-don't-break defense has got to give soon, right?? This week I'm not sure it happens though. #6 LSU is still a mystery to me. I don't think that they can match Auburn's Cam Newton's ability to score. Somehow the SEC West is stacking five of their six teams in the top 25. The Tiger's remaining test after LSU comes in the last game of the season in the Iron Bowl.

The Others:

#6- Les Miles.

#7- Dick Saban.

#8- Heart Attack Guy.

#9- Shaky Smithson (Utah). We have all seen various attempts at the Wildcat offense, but the "Shaky Formation" leaves something to be desired.... seriously.

#10- Badgers, aka Buckeye killers.

#11- Badger Food. Pryor is still good... in the Big Ten.

#12- Cardinal (s?).... what's with the Tree??

#13- Huskers better watch it, or they could lose three in a row.

#16- FSU is the best the ACC has to offer, that's not saying too much.

#20- WVU is slowly climbing in the ratings, but don't worry Big East, basketball is just around the corner.

#23- Va Tech is starting to put a little run together since dropping their first two. Maybe that Boise St. win over them is starting to look better, damnit!

What to Watch:

Thursday 9:00 pm- UCLA @ Oregon- God only knows what unis Phil Knight is test running for this contest!!

Saturday 12:00pm- Syracuse @ WVU- Before Last week's loss to Pitt, the Orange looked as if they might be the best team in the Big East. Mountaineer fans are wondering if Orangemen taste like their cousin/ girlfriend.

3:30- LSU @ Auburn, Wisconsin @ Iowa, Nebraska @ Oklahoma St. This is a valid opportunity to go out and buy two more TVs, seize it! Carpe HD! If you're not going to the UConn/ Cards game you can find it on ESPNU... so that means most of you will be forced to go to a bar to watch.

8:00- Oklahoma @ Mizzou- Major BCS implications. Air Force @ TCU- Best game of the week not on TV. I don't know that I can put a team I've never seen in the BCS Title game, even if they are undefeated.

Enjoy Saturday! I'll be firing up the smoker, cooking copious amounts of meat, and maybe having a beverage or two.

UConn QB OUT for Saturday...

And for the rest of the season, for what it's worth. QB Cody Endres has been suspended for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

(Hat tip: Card Game).

Honoring the past?

If anyone can find a confirmation-link, please post in the comments, but word on the street is that UofL will be honoring the '91 Fiesta Bowl team before/during the UConn game this Saturday. Watching the shellacking this squad put on Alabama is my first specific, detailed memory of Louisville football.

Nagle. Washington. Dawkins. Flores. Buchanan. Goosebumps.

So be sure to show up early to relive Schnellenberger's greatest triumph in red.

Giles to Louisville

Jarvis Giles, running back at South Carolina, will be transferring to Louisville. Giles was a former 4-star prospect out of high school, and Rivals named him the 3rd best "all purspose back" propect in in 2009. His role diminished in the Gamecock's offense after the emergence of freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore.

Another Florida boy, and another fine pickup by Charlie Strong. I love finding polished talent that's looking for a change of NCAA scenery. They can pave the way while his young recruits develop and mature.

Recappin

Thumbs DOWN: Phil Collins. For me, this year's battle for the Keg of Nails will forever be known as the Phil Collins Game. For some reason, with about 6 minutes left in halftime, someone who I hope no longer has a job decided to play a soporific Phil Collins ballad for the remainder of the break. And not just a clip of the song, the whole damn thing.

The fans were left fending off yawns, the players must have been thoroughly confused, and the entire song played until about 20 seconds left to kickoff, when all the sudden the audio staff tried to snap back into, "All right, let's play some football!" mode.

It was very, very odd, and segued perfectly into a lackluster 3rd quarter when the Cards looked flat on the field, and the fans were slow to get back to their seats and back into the game. The whole place seemed to be in a Phil Collins funk until Darius Ashley's pick snapped everyone out of it.

Damn you Phil Collins. And same to whomever decided to play that song. Is that job really that hard? Play something energetic. That's it. Our audio staff hasn't learned how to win yet.

Thumbs UP: Bilal Powell, for giving us one of the most memorable games from a running back I've ever seen. I still feel cheated that he's a senior and we lost some great years together, but I'm somewhat comforted by the fact that we'll be seeing him on Sundays in the future.

Thumbs DOWN: Froman's legs. The nimbleness he used so effectively against Oregon State was nonexistent against the Bearcats. He held onto the ball too long in many cases, often made the wrong choice when stepping either up, or back, of the pocket, and decided to take off at bad times. The offense doesn't seem to fully click without Froman's scrambling ability.

Thumbs UP: Froman's arm. Having said that, however, I was impressed with many of the throws he made, even some that weren't completed. He was putting the ball into tight windows, staring downfield for big plays, and checking down when they weren't there. He made one completion to Graham on a big 3rd down off his back foot that was spectacular.

Thumbs DOWN: The "fan cops" that were in abundance at the end of the game when many headed to the exits, though te game was technically still in play. Look, I'm not commenting on the wisdom of leaving early,  hope I've made clear my feelings on that subject. But it does no good to start yelling and cussing at your fellow UofL brethren at that moment, as I heard several fans do in our section. It marred an otherwise stellar and electric environment for the rest of the game.

Thumbs UP: Mike Sanford's playcalling. I know the team struggled in the red zone, but I still chalk that up to a mix of inexperience and lack of key personnel. I was mostly thrilled by the playcalling, especially during the 2nd quarter, that had the Bearcats completely baffled and on their heels. He found the perfect balance between run and pass, and was utlizing trick plays at the exact right moment. It was really something.

Thumbs DOWN: Chris Philpott. A bad night for Chris, as the misses weren't just missed, but ugly. I hope it was just a poor outing, and not coming back down to his actual ability.

Thumbs UP: 4th sellout of the year for Saturday's game.

Anyway, the highlights...

...from Louisville-Cincy. We may have lost, but Powell's run was still sensational (and has drawn a good deal of national attention). Here, you see it from a different angle than most of the video glimpses I've seen. From that same vantage point in the end zone, Chichester's touchdown grab in the first quarter also looks spectacular.

How did we NOT win this damn game?! (Penalties, red zone offense, and secondary). But I digress again... the highlights.

The "We Can't Do Anything Right" parade continues

So two men with loaded weapons apparently got onto the field during the Louisville-Cincy game.. Not what I wanted to see while looking up highlights of the game. Though I'm always amused to see Kenny Klein cleaning up another mess... whether its pushing back against rumors in the blogosphere, releasing press statements announcing our latest recruit is ineligible, or now commenting on how U of L could allow armed men near the players, his must be the most thankless job in America.

Woods to Louisville

Insidetheville is reporting that Tony Woods will be seeking a transfer to the Cards.
Joy.

What a novel idea

Some pictures, taken by the CJ, from the inaugural Eagles concert at the Yum Center last night. I know I risk reprisal from those freaked out by the potential for traffic by saying this, but did anyone else swell with pride upon seeing our downtown streets filled with... people?