Louisville Displaying Defensive Tenacity to Start 2023 Season

Over the first two games of the season, the Cardinals have played mostly outstanding defense, and have shown a knack for finishing strong.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - When Jeff Brohm was first hired to be the head coach of the Louisville football program last December, most storylines over the ensuing offseason revolved around how the Cardinals will look on offense. With his reputation as a coach who lights up the scoreboard with a high-flying passing attack, it was fair for most to be fixated on this area

However, over the first two games of the season, Louisville has shown that they are capable on the defensive side of the ball. While their competition hasn't been the toughest they will face all season, they have demonstrated the ability to suffocate the competition and finish strong when the opportunity arises.

"I like our defense," Brohm said following Louisville's dominating 56-0 win over Murray State Thursday night. "I’ve liked them all spring and summer and fall camp."

Admittedly, Louisville's defense was very up and down during their first game of the season against Georgia Tech. In the second quarter alone, the Cardinals were letting the Jackets score nearly at-will, allowing 28 points and 282 in the period.

But in the second half, the players not only operated with a much more noticeable uptick in effort, but the staff made crucial changes to their game plan. After halftime, Louisville almost completely shut down the Ramblin' Wreck, allowing just 167 yards and six points in the second half. Throw out the abysmal second quarter, and the Cardinals allowed the Jackets to only post 206 yards of offense, and forced two turnovers. Louisville eventually won 39-34 after overcoming a 15-point halftime deficit.

"We had some things the first week that just kind of got us spinning, and that’s on me and the coaching staff a little bit," Brohm said. "We kind of narrowed this plan down and made sure, ‘Let’s get these guys lined up and set and let them go play.’ That doesn’t mean you can’t make different calls. We do want to make different calls. But we’ve got to make sure that when that ball is snapped, we’re all ready to go. I think if we do that and if we’re in the right position we have a better chance to make plays."

When it came time for Louisville to take on in-state foe Murray State for their week two matchup, despite the Racers being an FCS opponent, they still had to approach it like any other game. After all, Murray State was coming off of a 41-10 demolition of Presbyterian, and were looking to parlay that momentum into their game with UofL.

Instead, Louisville left no doubt. They allowed Murray State to put up just 166 yards of total offense, forced three turnovers, collected five tackles for loss, gave up just eight first downs, and allowed just three third down conversions in just 14 tries.

Of the Racers' 13 total drives, just three got past midfield, and non got past the Louisville 40-yard line. Starting quarterback D.J. Williams went just 7-for-16 for 68 yards, and just one skill position player had more than 40 yards from scrimmage.

Even in the second half, where is was mostly backups that played, the Cardinals didn't take their foot off the gas. Louisville not only allowed Murray State to just gain 66 yards after halftime, the third and fourth stringers were able to preserve the shutout as well.

Brohm said he was proud of the effort, from start to finish, by both the players and members of his coaching staff.

"I think that they prepared well, the plan was good," Brohm said. "We always try to work hard at fixing our mistakes, owning up to them first behind closed doors or even in public, and then trying to fix them and identifying them. I just think it’s important that you do that. Every team is different. There’s a new scenario that comes up every week, so I’m very proud of our coaches and players."

Of course, Georgia Tech and Murray State are far from the toughest offenses Louisville will face all season. Teams like Notre Dame, Kentucky, Miami and Duke will certainly test the Cardinals' defensive capabilities later in the season.

Even though the competition they have faced early on hasn't been the strongest, having the success that they have had on that side of the ball right out of gates has allowed Louisville's defenders to quickly get settled into their roles on the defense. 

"Getting the first two games under our belts allows us to be comfortable in our roles," safety Devin Neal said. "Players are starting to get more familiar and get back into the repetition of things. I feel like we're on a great path to keep this thing going."

(Photo via Jamie Rhodes - USA TODAY Sports)

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