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Football Enjoys Off Week, Continues Preparation for BIG EAST Opener
Oct. 2, 2012
Shawn Watson | Senorise Perry | Jeremy Wright LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville football team is enjoying its first open week of the year, but it was back to work on Tuesday for practice. The Cardinals are 5-0 for the first time since the 2006 season, but have won their last three games by a total of 15 points. After defeating nonconference foes FIU and Southern Miss on the road, the Cardinals begin their eighth season in the BIG EAST Conference with a road game at Pittsburgh on Oct. 13. Despite the undefeated start, the Cardinals know they are going to have to improve on their last 10 quarters of football, especially on offense, where they haven't played their best football of late. The weather conditions played a major role in the 21-17 win over Southern Mississippi. A torrential downpour and flooding conditions on the field forced the coaching staff to eliminate most of their playbook and stick to running the football. The Cardinals were held to a season-low 269 yards of offense in the win and just 85 yards through the air, which was due to the unplayable weather conditions. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson knows his unit can play better and continues to work on getting the spark back on the offensive side of the football. Two players who have provided that spark are junior running backs Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright, who have combined to rush for 847 yards and 10 touchdowns through five games. Perry, who is averaging 5.5 yards a carry, has run for 458 yards and five scores, while Wright has run for 389 yards and five touchdowns. "We expect our offense to be balanced," said Wright. "Senorise and I have been competing in practice and go about our business in practice the same way. We never take plays off and thrive to be the best each and every day. Senorise and I take an equal amount of reps, and we just work it out that way." Perry recorded 118 yards in the win over Southern Miss and Wright added another 84. "They did a great job," said Watson. "I thought they did a great job of holding the football and being aggressive with the run. They really ran the ball downhill. Senorise was very impressive. Jeremy had his spots, but Senorise found some nice inside seams and made some really good runs." The Cardinals must continue to get better on the offensive side of the football if they are going to run their record to 6-0 with a tough game coming up at Pitt, where the Cardinals haven't played well in their last two trips. "There is a lot we can do to get ourselves better and that's what we are going to do," said Perry. "A lot of people are saying we aren't No. 19 in the country and we have to come out and show people we are No. 19 in the country. We just have to go out and execute." As the Cardinals continue to enjoy their first open week of the season, the team is determined to put forth the effort on the field in preparation for the league opener at Pitt.
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