Even-keeled Conley stays poised
Evan Conley’s poise doesn’t surprise Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield.
The freshman has been in plenty of tight spots in his three appearances as a backup quarterback, but always seems comfortable leading the offense. Satterfield says the quarterback, who was named ACC Freshman of the Week, never gets too excited or emotional.
“That’s just kind of his makeup, I think he’s a very even keeled kind of guy to begin with,” Satterfield said. “Here’s a true freshman just showed up and you can tell that’s all he’s known. That’s in his DNA and he is a competitor.”
Conley completed 12 of 18 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 79 yards in Louisville’s win over 19-ranked Wake Forest Oct. 12. He earned ACC Quarterback of the Week honors after leading Louisville to its first road win over a ranked team since 2011.
A week earlier, Conley completed 10 of 16 for 140 yards in a win against Boston College.
Conley followed Satterfield. The quarterback was committed to Appalachian State before Satterfield accepted the job at Louisville.
Satterfield brought eight to 10 quarterbacks, including Conley, to a summer camp at Appalachian State and was impressed.
“He really outshined them all by the way he threw the football,” Satterfield said. “Very catchable accurate ball, but he also had good velocity. You check his grades, a very smart player. You talked to his coaches, they said he works extremely hard.”
Conley committed to Appalachian State two days after the program offered him a spot. When Satterfield arrived at Louisville, the roster needed quarterbacks.
He called Conley, who visited the campus with his family. Conley had one question: Would he have an opportunity to play?
Satterfield told Conley that every quarterback would get a chance to compete for playing time. Conley has made the most of his chance.
He has completed 24 of 37 throws (64.9 percent) for 422 yards and four touchdowns in three games. His 41-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-1 with 2:15 left helped seal Louisville’s victory over Wake Forest.
