I can’t wait to hop in my car and head up to South Bend Indiana on Saturday and watch my Louisville Cardinals take on the Fighting Irish. It is one of those sports trips that every avid sports fan has on their bucket list. The tradition, pageantry, mystique and history that defines the University of Notre Dame football program is unmatched in college sports. The lore of Notre Dame Stadium rivals that of some of the most legendary venues in all of sports. And it’s one of College Football’s most sacred grounds.

There have been many magical moments in Notre Dame stadium since it opened in 1930. If those walls could talk they’d tell stories of one of the greatest motivators in the history of sports Knute Rockne, great players like the Four Horsemen, George Gipp, “Jumpin’ Joe” Savoldi, Joe Montana, and Raghib “The Rocket” Ismail.

The Stadium has been described as having the power to inspire. And it has inspired some great athletes over the years, but it also was the backdrop to one of the biggest underdog stories in sports. There’s not a sports fan alive that hasn’t seen the movie “Rudy”. A film based on the real life events of the small town steel worker Rudy Ruettiger.

On Saturday I hope to be witness to one of these special moments in Notre Dame stadium. But this time I hope it is a Cardinal that leaves his story of triumph and glory among those walls and with those thousands of ghosts of seasons past. On Saturday I hope I hear the chants of Reggie, Reggie, Reggie echoing across that hallowed field.

I have had the privilege of speaking with Louisville’s true freshman quarterback a couple times this season. Reggie Bonnafon is polite and articulate and speaks softly, his voice barely carrying over the hustle and bustle of the post game locker room. But rumbling beneath the quiet demeanor is a football player with a gritty edge. That grit is what has got him through this tumultuous first season at Louisville.

Reggie who won the second string duties during spring ball has been thrown into action early and often during the Cardinals first run through the ACC. He has started three games tallying 662 passing yards with four touchdowns and one pick. Things haven’t come slow or easy for him and tragedy followed as his father Wallace died of a heart attack on Sept. 15, two days after Bonnafon’s third college game.

They say the death of a father is like the falling of a great tree, suddenly leaving a son’s trembling branches exposed to the world. Reggie only missed the following week’s game at FIU to attend his father’s funeral, and has been on the football field ever since giving it his all. Inspired by a motivational wrist band given to him by his father before his passing Reggie vowed to finish the season in his honor. The wristband said: “Know the rules. Play the game. Own your destiny.”

On Saturday Reggie Bonnafon will lead our Louisville Cardinals on to that legendary field at Notre Dame stadium. A field that has seen many a destiny fulfilled will now play host to a young man looking to claim his own. Reggie said “I just think God’s put me in a situation that he knew I was able to handle,” “A lot of things have gone on this season. I don’t think anybody but him could get me through that.”

There is a lot of holiness around Notre Dame stadium. The large mural of Jesus from the school’s library is visible inside the stadium. It is known as “Touchdown Jesus” because Jesus’ arms are raised like the touchdown symbol. I’d like to think that another father will be watching over that stadium Saturday. Watching the son he loved so dearly living out his dreams and having his special moment. Reggie… Reggie… Reggie.

As Kentuckians from Paducah to Pikeville cast their votes for state senator, legislators, county leaders and other representatives will they be voting for issues like the war on coal, the economy? Studies suggest that they may not be really voting on the issues at all, and that the current state of the Red and Blue political parties may not be what sways voters on this Election Day. It may be the current state of the Red and Blue athletic programs in the state that have the biggest impact.

We have watched Coach Rick Pitino cheer for his son both at the barn in Minnesota and during post season tournaments in March. We watched Rick full of pride last March as his son Richard won the NIT. Father and son will open against each other in the upcoming college basketball season on November 14 in Puerto Rico. And there has been talk of an annual game between Minnesota and Louisville that will start in the 2015-16 season.

Before Russ Smith was a Louisville legend and before “RUSSDICULOUS” he was up in Connecticut’s Northwest hills at the South Kent Prep School grappling with his studies, and trying to get noticed by big time college programs. He chose to go there for a year to get stronger, work on his academics and learn the point guard position.

Russ has always been a guy that has had a clear vision about where he was going, but it’s great to also see that he is a guy that never forgot where he came from. I sure will miss seeing Russ in a Cardinal uniform this season but am glad that he is out there being a great ambassador and still making us all very proud. L1C4

We are always writing stories about our athletes when they are scoring baskets, making touchdowns, hitting homeruns, ect. However, we often miss the other important things these folks do while off the field of play. Tonight at a Fellowship of Christian Athlete meeting some of our athletes gathered to talk about the ultimate prize.

(Photo @UnderArmourHoops)

It hasn’t even been a year since I was standing in a cold and rainy Nippert Stadium watching Teddy Bridgewater play his last regular season game as a Cardinal. On that December night Teddy reminded all of us and the ESPN television audience just how special he was. On that night he was part QB and part escape artist scrambling and breaking tackles. It was Mr. Clutch, who would throw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to give Louisville a chance to win in overtime. One of those touchdown drives very similar to his game winning drive last night in Minnesota.

Watching that game last night took me back to that evening in Lexington, the night in New Jersey, the night in New Orleans and that night a few months ago in Cincinnati. I had seen that heroic drive in the final minutes, those clutch touchdown passes many times, and had been a part of that crowd who was yelling Teddy… Teddy… Teddy…. for the first time.

Teddy’s first NFL game winning drive:

I had the privilege of going to Valhalla today to watch the opening round of the PGA Tournament. I really loved watching the guys who have mastered the toughest sport ever invented. I also loved being out there today knowing that this PGA event allowed the great city of Louisville to showcase one of the many things that make it so special.

Today started the next chapter of the UofL football program and the Bobby Petrino era. The anticipation of a new football season is as high as it’s ever been. Although expectations seem to be tempered the Cardinals were picked to finish 3rd in the Atlantic Division at their first ACC media days and were ranked #36 in the first USA Today Coaches Poll, receiving 32 votes.

Petrino, led the Cardinals to a 41-9 record from 2003-06. He inherits a team that went 23-3 the past two seasons but will see a much higher level of competition in the ACC. There is a lot of talent remaining on the team and there are a core group of guys who know what it takes to be winners.

“I compare it to when I was here the first time and was coming off a team that was coached by John L. Smith,” said Petrino “(They’re) a group of guys that know how to work hard and have positive attitudes and are used to winning games.

“That’s really made the transition easy for our staff because the guys really have a good work ethic. The quicker that we get over that there’s a change and just adapt to it, the better chance we have to be a championship team. I’ve been really impressed with our attitudes.”

There was a good turn-out to help welcome in the start of this new season tonight at the open practice. You could feel the anticipation in the air. The Cardinal faithful have boarded the train and it has left the station. There are many exciting stops along the way this season starting with the September 1st date with Miami and hopefully ending with the final stop in a BCS Bowl game.

I was most impressed with the Running Backs this evening. That group is going to be huge for us this season. The practice was very intense and the guys were going hard. Got a lot of photos and some video tonight. Hope you enjoy!

Offense vs Defense

Home » Cardinal Football’s first practice: The train has left the station » First Open Football Practice of 2014 » First Open Football Practice of 2014

   

 

This past week the air has been a little cooler, students are moving back into the dorms and fall is on the horizon. For avid sports fans this also means that football and basketball season will be here soon. Louisville fans are anticipating a new sports year that will welcome in a lot of change and new beginnings.

For the last three or four years Cardinal fans have relished in the consistency of our athletic programs. We have had the privilege of watching some great players who became legendary. They left their mark on the program by being champions on the court, and field. And they were athletes that also set the right example academically, socially, and spiritually. Guys like Teddy Bridgewater, and Russ Smith became a staple for their respective sports and you knew when they played that they were going to do so with a sense of pride and purpose. Those guys weren’t playing for the name on the back of their jerseys.

There have been many guys and gals over the years who have cared enough to give their very best and the Louisville athletic programs are rich and vibrant because of that. I could name them all here, but you know who they are. And that’s not the point of this article.

Every three or four years there is a symbolic passing of the torch and in successful programs like at the University of Louisville tradition never graduates. As we transition into a new era we will officially say good-bye to the past. Not forgetting, but pouring our passion and support out to the guys and gals who will take that symbolic torch and write their own chapters in the Cardinal history books.

You might have ask yourself over the course of this past year what athlete could possibly evoke the feelings of support and admiration that Teddy and Russ did. And you may be wondering if it’s possible to replicate the overall success these guys had. In an attempt to answer those questions I say where there’s a WILL, there’s a WAYNE.

In my opinion there are two guys who will be vital to their team’s success during the upcoming season. Two guys, who will be expected to step up, accept their role as leaders, challenge themselves and their teammates to be great, and set the tone for a successful season. In my opinion Will Gardner and Wayne Blackshear are ready.

Will and Wayne have followed similar paths in their athletic backgrounds:

Will Gardner was considered the best quarterback in the state of Georgia in the class of 2012, and was one of the top prospects in the country at his position. He was named one of Tom Lemmings Top 25 combo QB’s. He had scouts singing his praises for his ability on the football field, and his pedigree is that of a champion. When he committed to Charlie Strong and the Cardinals he turned down the likes of Alabama and other top programs. He was considered one of Strong’s best recruiting grabs. During his senior season in high school Gardner tore his ACL causing him to miss most of his senior campaign. To make things worse, when he got to Louisville he had another setback, reinjuring his knee in practice. Teddy ultimately became the starter and Gardner embraced the back-up role, rehabilitating and waiting for his time.

It is now Will Gardner’s time. He had a great summer and has already impressed coach Petrino with his height, arm strength, and poise in the pocket. He was sharp and in control, completing 32-37 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns in the Spring Game.
“It was good to see Will in command of the offense, I liked the way he carried himself, I like the way he took charge in the huddle,” coach Bobby Petrino said. “He looked comfortable in delivering the football and for the most part, he was very accurate with his throws.”

Wayne Blackshear was considered the best basketball player in the state of Illinois in the class of 2011, and was one of the top prospects in the country at his position. He was named Chicago’s Player of the Year, and was an All-American. He had scouts singing his praises for his ability on the basketball court, and his pedigree is that of a champion. When he committed to Rick Pitino and the Cardinals he turned down the likes of Kansas and other top programs. He is considered one of Pitino’s best recruiting grabs. During the end of his High School career he suffered an injury to his left shoulder, had surgery to repair it, and had spent the summer rehabilitating. To make things worse, when he got to Louisville he had another setback, reinjuring his shoulder in practice causing him to miss his entire freshman season. This injury has nagged him for the last 2 seasons leaving him waiting for his time.

It is now Wayne Blackshear’s time. Fully healed for the first time in his Cardinal career he had a great summer of workouts. Coach Pitino challenged him to finally step up and put in the work required to be the player that he wants to be. Coach Pitino has raved about Wayne’s improvement calling him the “biggest surprise” this summer.
“The most noticeable change, when he said, ‘I’m tired of this,’ and that’s Wayne Blackshear,” Pitino said. “He’s been working twice a day, every single day, since school ended. He’s the biggest surprise and the biggest change. I don’t want to get too excited because we’re not in July yet, but he’s everything I hoped would change.”

There are many players during the upcoming football, and basketball seasons who will be vital to the team’s success. The two most important players are guys who have had their fair share of tough luck. These are two great guys who have carried themselves with integrity and pride during those struggles waiting for their moment. If the football team and basketball team have the success we all have come to expect Will Gardner and Wayne Blackshear will be the biggest reason why. It is their time and where there’s a WILL, there’s a WAYNE.