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Coach Mack & staff get a head start for 2021

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Coach Mack and staff got a win on the court today and have got another win tonight getting an early 2021 commit from 4-star Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick prospect Bryce Hopkins.

Hopkins is a versatile shooter who can play either shooting guard or small forward, the 6-5 prospect can take players off the dribble creating his own and slash to the basket. He is also a player with some versatility and can post up by the basket.

Hopkins currently falls around the Top 150 players in his class but look for him to keep climbing up the rankings. Hopkins quickly raised his stock over the summer with stand out performances in EYBL. He received scholarship offers from Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Texas and Missouri in June 2019 alone. He also held offers from Kansas, Ohio State, Iowa, Illinois and Cal.

After a slow recruiting cycle things have certainly picked up on the recruiting front for Louisville Basketball. They got a good start for 2021 with this kid.

The Louisville Basketball season starts tonight

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It’s around this time every year that I have to remind myself that the College Basketball season is a marathon and not a sprint. There are going to be ups and downs along the way and all I can do is hope that our guys learn what their roles are on this team and that they can bring all of their talents and ability together for that season that we all expect.

The naysayers and prognosticators all said that it would take years for Louisville Basketball to be a real contender for a National Title again. It took two years and this Louisville Basketball team is a contender.

This Louisville team isn’t getting to dip its toe in for a taste of the new season. With the new ACC scheduling format, they’ll dive in headfirst tonight. I don’t think Miami has the depth to beat the Cardinals down the stretch but playing a conference game this early will pose a challenge. Especially with the game being away.

This Louisville team hasn’t had all of its parts together for a game yet. And they won’t tonight. The Cardinals will be without starting center Malik Williams. He averaged just under 10 points per game and 8.4 rebounds in his last 5 games but it will be his defensive presence that is missed the most. He had 41 blocked shots last season. I expect him to be one of the premier shot blockers in the country this season. He will make a big difference once healthy.

Steven Enoch is projected to be in the lineup in place of Williams. Enoch averaged 10 points and over 5 rebounds per game last season and can more than make up for that lack of offensive production but still not the defensive threat that Malik is.

Louisville will have the best player on the floor this season in every game they play. Jordan Nwora will give the Cardinals the edge most nights. The dude is just playing on another level offensively and will score when he wants. He will have an off night along the way and we will have attrition as the season wears on. I think Coach Mack has enough bodies now that he can compensate for this.

The same can’t be said about Louisville’s opponent tonight. The Hurricanes will be without a key transfer in Keith Stone. And only have three guys that were contributors last season. Miami is led offensively by Chris Lykes, Lykes averaged 16.2 points a game last year. The Hurricanes were not a deep team a year ago and will be looking for newcomers to step in. I think it could take a few games for Miami to start to gel offensively.

I think it’s going to take a while for this Louisville team to gel but think the Cardinals will have more depth and capable depth in this one. I don’t expect it to be an easy game considering how early it is but the Cards should win.

The season is here! Enjoy the ride…

GO CARDS.COM PREVIEW:
No. 5 Louisville Opens the 2019-20 Season at Miami on Tuesday Night

Good Times for Louisville Hoops Recruiting

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The 2020 recruiting class started off slow for Coach Mack and Louisville. But in the last few weeks business has picked up and tonight the highest-ranked player in Kentucky gave a verbal commit to the Cardinals. JJ Traynor is listed as a four-star recruit and the No. 79 overall player in the class of 2020 by 247Sports.com.

Just 10 days ago 4* D’Andre ”Dre” Davis, a 6-foot-5, 170-pound shooting forward from Indianapolis verbally committed to the Louisville 2020 Class. Much like Davis JJ Traynor is a player that came out of nowhere during the summer and impressed coaches. I even read one article where recruiting guru Evan Daniels raved about Traynor. He referred to the Kentucky native as “the biggest sleeper in the country.”

JJ has made a name for himself with his impressive size, length, athleticism, quickness and scoring ability for a primary ball handler. Sure sounds familiar. Traynor’s father, Jason Osbourne, a former Kentucky Mr. Basketball and a legendary Cardinal in his own right used to wow the Freedom Hall crowd with his athleticism. Jason is one of my favorite all-time Louisville players and I’m certain that the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.

Traynor averaged 11.2 points and 8.6 rebounds last season for a Bardstown team that went 15-16. Traynor is coached by another Louisville legend Bardstown head coach James “Boo” Brewer. I got a chance to interview Boo a few years ago. Coach Mack really kept it in the family with this recruit. A few weeks ago folks were thinking this 2020 class would be a wash but things are certainly looking up and I’m here for it all.

Traynor also held scholarship offers from Cincinnati, DePaul, Evansville, Missouri, Northern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and Xavier.

Coach Mack & staff land another “We” guy

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(Photo: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)


College basketball recruiting has been a hot discussion on social media. Some Louisville fans getting themselves all worked up because the NCAA cloud still hanging over the program is seemingly having an effect on the staffs recruiting efforts. I don’t see it that way.

Sure it’s not ideal to have an NCAA cloud hanging over your program but I think it serves as a way of only getting the guys who want to really be a part of your program. Guys that are buying into the “we” part of the recruiting pitch instead of the ”what can you do for me” approach.

Coach Mack and his staff have been really good at finding the “we” guys. Today they found another one. 4* D’Andre ”Dre” Davis, a 6-foot-5, 170-pound shooting forward from Indianapolis has verbally committed to the Louisville 2020 Class. Davis was originally committed to Tim Miles and Nebraska but decided to open back up his recruitment last week.

Ranked as the 96th player in the ESPN 100 the Davis decomittment garnered a lot of attention. Several Power 5 programs including Louisville jumped in the mix pretty quick. Coach Mack beat out Purdue and several others for the long athletic 3 man’s services. Davis is known as a player who can drive to the lane and create his own as well as shoot the step-back three. I think he is a guy that will fit well into Coach Mack’s system.

A guy who started out inside the top 200 Davis is a blue-collar player that has worked his way into the conversation with a great AAU season. Give me these Top 100 guys all day long. They are kids that it takes to win a championship and usually make up the backbone of a college program. I hope those Top 10 guys have all the success in the world but I just think they have too much of that ”ME” mentality to give a program the long term commitment it sometimes takes to win a championship. We see this play out every year at our arch-rival Kentucky. Not much of a backbone there.

I want to get guys at Louisville who want to be here. I want the guys who want to sink themselves in the traditions and lore that surround the Cardinal Nation. I want to get to know these guys and watch them develop and grow. I want the ”we” guys and I think Coach Mack and his staff got a commitment from another one of those today.

Recruiting is fine… And Louisville Basketball will be fine. Go Cards!

The Beak Red & White Scrimmage recap

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The Louisville Basketball team took the Yum Center court for the first time on Saturday at the annual Red & White scrimmage. Team 106 is stacked. A preseason top 5 by most publications this team has the talent, depth, and attitude to make a National Title run. It was great to be back in the Yum Center and I’m excited that another basketball season is upon us.


I just watched the Louisville Football team win their first game over a ranked opponent since 2016. The football team has a new physicality about them this year and that has helped them turn things around pretty quick on the football field. Watching the basketball team at the scrimmage I noticed a significant difference in their physicality.

It was so physical on the Yum Center court on Saturday that you could hear it. Guys body checking, putting an arm in someone’s chest and guys looking to create contact on every play offense and defense. It really is crazy the difference a year has made under Coach Mack’s system and it too will start paying off. I don’t see this team getting pushed around by anyone.



I ask the players and Coach Mack about my observation during the scrimmage. Coach Mack said that it was good to hear someone talk about the improved physicality. Says that it’s hard for them to see the difference in the physicality of the team because they are with these guys every day. Ryan McMahon said that practices had gotten so physical that Coach Mack brought in referees to call fouls. This has paid off. Two of the most physical guys during the scrimmage were Dwayne Sutton and Steven Enoch. Between them, they drew 12 fouls but only had 3 personal combined. They are being very physical but not out of control.

The physical nature of this Louisville Basketball team is the biggest thing that stood out to me during the scrimmage but there were other observations.

Jordan Nwora should win Player of the Year. He made the decision to spurn the NBA and come back to Louisville for his junior season. He made the right one. He is surrounded on this team by offensive weapons. This should allow him to focus on his own game and develop his role on this team without having to be the primary source of points. Last year I felt like some games he was forced to take on too big of a role and that slowed his progression.

There will be nights when Jordan has to put the team on his back but it won’t be every night. I saw more quickness in his game on Saturday. And his vertical game has continued to get better. He had the scrimmages only blocked shot today. Jordan’s game has gotten much more active and is less reactive. I call him swag and his game is legit.

Speaking of legit game. Steven Enoch has gone full beast mode. He had an All American stat Line in Saturday’s scrimmage. He earned his 21 points. Aidan Igiehon did not give him any easy ones. Those guys battled in the paint all scrimmage. The Louisville frontcourt is loaded and the competition between these guys is going to make them all better. It already has.

Can’t say enough about Dwayne Sutton. He is such a workhorse. 20 minutes of grind. He is a guy that thrives in a physical game and really knows how to extend the play through contact. He drew a team-high 7 fouls during the scrimmage. Was 9-11 at the free-throw line. He’ll be another guy who will benefit from having a team full of offensive weapons. Sutton is the ultimate role player.

It has been awesome watching Darius Perry figure things out. His newfound self-awareness has carried over into his game on the floor. He is much more poised than he was a year ago and his improved court awareness makes him a more effective player. He had 5 assist to 1 turnover in the scrimmage. A year ago it would have been the opposite.

I’ve looked forward to seeing the Super 6 on the Yum Center court. I think their class is going to be pivotal in the success of the Louisville program during the next 10 years. If Coach Mack and his staff can go on a run like I think they can it will all have started with this 2019 class. Four of the six were in the ESPN 100. Out of the six, I think Williamson, Johnson, and Igiehon will see the most minutes this season. None of them had a stand out performance at the scrimmage.

Fresh Kimble and Ryan Mack also with a quiet scrimmage but you can bet they’ll both stand out as the season progresses.

All in all, there was nothing really surprising about the Red and White scrimmage. This team is going to come into this season with some lofty expectations. They looked the part on Saturday and have the parts to live up to the hype. It will be fun watching it all come together.

Go Cards!

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Cards need win to keep things moving forward

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Things are looking up for the Louisville Football program. A much-improved effort and attitude have highlighted the early part of the season. This team had a great second half effort a few weeks ago against Florida State and most felt like they really let a big one slip through their fingers in Tallahassee.

After a much-needed bye week, the Cardinals are back in ACC play on Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium. Depth was a big concern heading into the season and in my opinion cost this team that win against Florida State. So it’s good to get some of these guys healed and rested up. Louisville Football hasn’t won a conference game since November of 2017. This weekend is a great opportunity to break that streak.

The Louisville defense had looked impressive in the first three games of the year, holding opponents to an average of 18.7 points per game and 285.0 total yards in those games. They did struggle a bit allowing the Seminoles to score 35 points and gain 522 yards of total offense. While Boston College doesn’t have the athletes FSU does they still have some playmakers.

Boston College QB Anthony Brown has thrown for 1,057 yards and eight scores this season. And he spreads the love around. Eight different players caught a pass for them last week. And folks AJ Dillon is back for his junior season. Remember him? He had 272 yards and 4 TDs on his last visit to Cardinal Stadium on his way to the ACC Rookie of the year back in 2017. He didn’t play against us last year due to an ankle injury. He currently ranks fourth in the nation with an average of 125.4 yards per game. He has rushed for 627 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Dillon will face a much improved Louisville defense on Saturday. After finishing near the bottom in total defense last season, the Cardinals are the 45th-ranked overall defensive team in the country and rank 45th in rushing defense this season.

Khane Pass recorded a career-high 12 tackles, while linebacker C.J. Avery added nine stops and a sack in the last game holding FSU running back Cam Akers to 112 yards. Below his average. I still worry about depth issues especially in the 4th quarter with this unit but Coach Brown will have them up for this challenge.

The Cardinals have a pretty good rushing attack of their own led by Javian Hawkins. He has been a spark plug for the offense averaging 97.5 yards a game. The Cardinals enter this week 22nd in the country and second in the ACC in rushing offense. They can also go vertical with great playmakers like TuTu Atwell and Dez Fitzpatrick. Nationally, the Cardinals rank in the top 15 in plays of 30 or more yards while ranking fifth with five plays of 50 yards or more and eighth with three of 60 yards or better.

How good was it to see Fitzpatrick get back in the groove against FSU? He recorded the third 100-yard receiving game of his career, with seven receptions for 133 yards and that 74-yard bomb. That circus catch was the longest of his career. Hope this is a sign of things to come. We need Sixpatrick. Gonna need him Saturday.

The Louisville offense has been pretty balanced averaging 212.2 yards per game through the air and 225.2 yards on the ground. I think they’ll have to be really effective in the ground game Saturday and continue to take those big shots down the field when they can. That might not be as easy against the BC defense.

While Eagles are allowing an average of 438.6 yards of total offense this season, including 183.0 yards on the ground. They are third in the nation with eight interceptions. Their DBs are very active. DB Mike Palmer leads them with two picks on the season. This BC defense has taken it’s licks this season. But there are still some capable bodies. They played much better last week and I expect them to play out of their minds Saturday. That’s how it goes right.

We can talk about guys making plays and individual performances all day long. I don’t think execution will be a problem this season. Reality is this. Coach Satterfield has played nine former walk-ons, including five who have started games this season. And has played 5 true freshmen. Depth is going to be an issue all season. More so on defense than offense. This coaching staff has worked magic moving guys around but it is what it is. Gonna lose games because of this alone.

In saying that Saturday should not be one of those games. Depth should not be an issue coming off a bye week and pound for pound Louisville has the better athletes in this matchup. This team has us all emotionally invested again. They even have the guys in Vegas invested again. Louisville enters the Boston College game as the biggest favorite it has been vs. a Power 5 opponent since the 2017 season. We are all invested. Now make us believe.

The team is wearing some awesome Ali themed uniforms to honor the great one on Saturday. One of my favorite Ali quotes “Don’t count the days; make the days count.” The Cardinals need to make this game count. I think it’s a must-win to keep things moving in the right direction. Lose this one and I think things could go in the other direction.

Cheer loud. Go Cards!

Jay Scrubb decides to bring his legend to Louisville Basketball

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Louisville Basketball gets the first commitment of the 2020 class and it’s a big one.

If you love a good come back story then you will love cheering for Jay Scrubb. A guy who came up in the tough part of town Scrubbs personal and academic issues plagued his early basketball endeavors. He struggled to find his groove. A guy who could have easily given up and fell threw the cracks but continued to fight and find a way.

He found a way at Trinity High School and things started to change his junior year. Scrubb averaged 16 points per game and was named Seventh Region Player of the Year by The Courier-Journal. As a senior, he averaged 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and repeated as Seventh Region Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for Kentucky Mr. Basketball.

For Scrubb the struggle was real and he had to join a junior college team after his senior season because he was academically ineligible for an NCAA Division I scholarship. Again he overcame adversity and instead of becoming just another Juco casualty he turned up. And turned up in a big way.

Scrubb is the #1 JUCO player in the country. He has made a name for himself with his grit, determination, athleticism and unique skill set.

He has a 40-inch vertical leap and a silky smooth jumper. This dude can score at every level and has superior court awareness. Scrubb averaged 20.2 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 46.4 percent from 3-point range last season for John A. Logan College.

Recruiting guru Evan Daniels said:

”Landing the JUCO standout is equivalent to getting a top 15 high school prospect”.

This summer Scrubb was invited to training camp for the United States national under-19 team. He was the only junior college player to earn an invite.

I love it when the University of Louisville gets the hometown guy but this is something even bigger. This young man has took all of crap that life threw at him. He took some big punches and got back up. He embodies the spirit of a young Ali.

Jay Scrubb has created quite a legend for himself over the last few years and I love that he decided to make the Cardinal Nation part of his story. Can’t wait to cheer for him and can’t wait to see how this story ends.

Scrubb will have two years of eligibility once he arrives on campus next season.

Ready to see what Satterfield’s Cards have for the ACC

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The team’s around the country are heading into the conference grind. This is where the rubber meets the road and it takes another level of play. The Louisville program has made some huge strides over the last couple of weeks and can take another big step forward on Saturday afternoon.

The Louisville offense found another gear taking out Eastern KY 42-0 and Western KY 38-21. Benefitting from some big passing plays in their win last weekend they’ve now scored 80 points across their last two games.

We’ve seen different offensive players breakout in the games with FSU. I go back as far as Dave Ragone and Joshua Tinch. Ragone completed 15 of 27 passes for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tinch was Louisville’s leading receiver with 101 yards on 5 receptions in that program defining win in 2002.

And most recently was the Heisman performance of Lamar Jackson in 2016. Jackson ran for 146 yards and four touchdowns. He threw for 216 and another. Don’t think any of us will forget that performance and College Gameday win against FSU.

Now a new group of Cardinals hopes to leave their mark in this game. Malik Cunningham posted 119 yards and two scores in the backup role last week. Even tho Jawon Pass is expected back on Saturday I think we’ll see Cunningham on the field in some capacity.

Javian Hawkins led the rush with 93 yards and a score. TuTu Atwell led the receiving corps with 141 yards and three TDs on four grabs last weekend. I can guarantee these guys will play a role in the outcome on Saturday.

The Cardinals are sixth in the nation in scrimmage plays of over 50 yards with four, and 11th in the nation in plays of 40+ and 30+ with six and 10, respectively. Tutu Atwell is tied for the national lead with three plays of over 40 yards and is tied for third with a pair of 50-yard plays from scrimmage. Javian Hawkins is tied for first in the country with three runs of over 40 yards in the first three games this year.

The defense will also be key… Without the Anthony Floyd interception of Chris Rix’s pass in the overtime in 2002 and Jaire Alexander’s big plays in 2016 we might be talking about different outcomes of those games.

The Louisville defense has looked impressive in the first three games of the year, holding opponents to an average of 18.7 points per game and 285.0 total yards per game. The Cardinals held the Colonels to just 74 yards in the second half, including just six passing yards after the half.

A new group of defensive guys is also looking to leave their mark on this game. Russ Yeast and Chandler Jones have solidified the Louisville secondary this season. Yeast and Jones are tied for fourth on the squad with 12 tackles. Up front linebacker Rodjay Burns continues to excel in Bryan Brown’s defensive scheme. Burns is tied for first on the team with C.J. Avery and Khane Pass with 16 tackles this season. Look for these names to come up a lot if the Cards are having some success on Saturday.

This game Saturday afternoon will basically boil down to speed on speed. The Cardinals will be facing some really good opposing players. FSU QB James Blackman has thrown for 843 yards and nine scores in the first three games and is completing 68.2 percent of his throws.

Tamorrion Terry is their top receiver with 14 receptions for 234 yards and one score, while Cam Akers has already rushed for 387 yards in the first three contests, an average of 129.0 per game. Like Louisville, this FSU team can put up points fast and I think the Cards will have to absorb an initial explosion.

FSU defense not so much. They are near the bottom of the national statistics in total defense, allowing 485.0 yards of total offense and 37.0 points per game to start the season. Cory Durden leads the Seminoles with 2.5 sacks, while free safety Ham-sah Nasirildeen is the team’s top tackler with 28.

Like many of you, I have been impressed with the last couple of weeks and a bit surprised. I think most of us hoped that these guys would play hard for the new staff but didn’t expect this level of play so early. The Cardinals are heading into Tallahassee with some newfound pop. These games against FSU have been transformational over the years. A win Saturday would mean a lot to this groups progression and a potential Bowl bid.

Louisville’s last road win in the ACC was a 31-28 victory at Florida State on Oct. 21, 2017. I really like our chances. Think these are programs going in very different directions. Win or lose I’m just looking forward to seeing what this team has for the ACC. Enjoy it, folks! Go Cards!

Louisville Football the change is real

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Walking into the locker room area on Saturday night the walls vibrated as the Louisville Football team and coaches exorcised a year’s worth of demons with their post-game celebrations. The emotions of ridding themselves of the stigma of bad football were very raw and you could hear that in their voices.



Ending the programs second-longest losing streak is worth a celebration but going out and winning it in dominant fashion is something this team can build from. It’s something the program can build from. Just like losing winning can also be contagious. This team has the bug.



The game of football is mental but it’s also very physical. This team over the last two weeks has been physical. GG Robinson talked about the team’s newfound physicality on Saturday night mentioning that football is about being able to run and stop the run.



This team is doing both. Not only are they looking the part but the numbers don’t lie and Louisville finds it’s self vaulting in the FBS stats. Ranking 95th overall in rush defense and 33rd in total defense it’s a new day on this side of the ball. They have allowed just 576 yards during the first two games giving up 4.57 yards a play. A far cry from last season.

Talk about a new day… Louisville currently ranks 11th in rushing offense. Behind a much improved offensive line led by Tyler Haycraft and Mekhi Becton, the Louisville rushing attack has gained 571 yards this season averaging 6.72 yards a play. It also helps to have a running back duo like Javian Hawkin currently ranked 13th in the country racking up 245 yards and Hassan Hall ranked 109th pitching in 127 yards in the first two games this season.



It’s been fun to watch the transformation over the last two weeks and it was refreshing to see our Cardinals get back in the win column this past weekend. It will be the first of many I’m sure of it. A lot of good things happening at 2800 South Floyd Street… The change is real! L’s Up!

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Louisville Football is fun again

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For the first time in 7 years, I didn’t take the time to write a game break down. I hadn’t spent any time around this Louisville team. Other than media day I hadn’t seen them. I just didn’t want to anticipate anything this season.

I hadn’t seen this Louisville team on a football field since last November. The only thing colder than the seats at Cardinal Stadium that night were the player’s hearts towards the program.

That along with the clowns dancing around on our logo at the 50 yard line with their L’s down was the low point for me. My beloved program had hit rock bottom.

Things were really dark on 2800 S. Floyd Street when Coach Satterfield and his staff rolled in. Coach Satterfield said that goal #1 was to put his arms around the team and love on them. During the spring, thru the summer and this fall, we witnessed that.

Crazy what a little love can do…

I had never seen a player more isolated and disconnected than Jawon Pass was at the end of last season. Monday night I saw a player out on that field giving it his best for his team and for the name on the front of the jersey. He never hung his head. More importantly, I saw a player who had confidence in the name on the back of the jersey again. Jawon led a few great drives down the field rushing for touchdowns of 8 and 17 yards in the first quarter. There was a Puma sighting.

The Cardinals had the worst defense in the country last season. I hadn’t seen any real pop out of a Louisville defense since 2014. The clickity-clack is back. Those big stops on third down were awesome. It was that stop on 4th and 1 that really stood out. The D line/linebackers shut those gaps down. LB Rodjay Burns second in tackles with 6. And the secondary was on skates. My son kept hearing Russ Yeast name and smiling. He’d say. ”Dad that’s ur name”. Russ led the team with 6.5 tackles. You couldn’t even hear the third-down music because the crowd was so loud. Been a long time since the D had the place rocking like that.

I went into this game excited about our running backs and the offensive line. Freshman Javian Hawkins rushed for 122 yards becoming the first 100-yard rusher since 2014. Oh and the Cardinals outrushed the #9 ranked Irish by 19 yards on the night. A lot of great execution and effort from these offensive units on Monday night. All a reflection of this young and hungry coaching staff.


We lost and that sucks but I’ve never been a football snob. Give me a good Bowl game every year and play competitive football. Just make it fun.


Card March was a fan frenzy, we had the Good Year blimp circling around Cardinal Stadium on Labor Day with the Cardinals in primetime. We had the lead on the #9 team in the country at one point. Cardinal stadium was rocking. Louisville Football is fun again.

L’s Up!