Louisville defense struggles in consecutive weeks
Louisville football has consecutive conference wins for the first time since 2017, but the defense has allowed 39 and 59 points in consecutive weeks. Wake Forest finished with 668 yards of offense, the fifth highest allowed in program history, but forced three turnovers to help aid in Louisville’s 62-59 victory.
After his team has allowed 500 or more yards in three straight games, Louisville coach Scott Satterfield said yards don’t bother him as much as points.
“Yards are not a concern, points are, we’ve given up a lot of points the last two weeks,” Satterfield said. “We have to do a better job keeping guys out of the end zone.”
Louisville’s defense ranks 102 in total defense and 104 in passing yards allowed.
Wake Forest scored 28 points in the fourth quarter last Saturday, but Satterfield didn’t think his team ran out of energy.
“They’re [Wake Forest] a fast team offensively,” Satterfield said. “We ran 72 plays, they ran 102. That’s 30 snaps.”
The Cardinals are tasked slowing another dynamic offense this week in second-ranked Clemson. The Tigers (6-0) are averaging 39.2 points and 497 yards per game.
Trevor Lawrence has thrown for 1,301 yards and 11 touchdowns while Travis Etienne has rushed for 589 yards and five scores for Clemson.
Satterfield wants his defense to improve in the red zone and hold opponents to field goals instead of touchdowns.
“This week right here, you’re playing another very explosive offense,” Satterfield said. “They’ve got speed on the outside, have one of the better running backs, obviously everyone knows about the quarterback. You have to limit those big plays that get in the endzone. I think that’s the key.”
