Today coach Strong met with the media to talk about his team as they get ready to take the field tomorrow at 1:00PM in Papa Johns Cardinal stadium for the annual Spring Game. He mentioned that most people think the number 13 was an unlucky number but that it could be a very lucky number for his football team this year. Strong was very enthusiastic talking about his guys and the opportunities they have this year. Coach Strong says that leadership, consistency and execution will be the keys to reaching their goals this season. Louisville’s priorities this spring have been refining conference offensive player of the year and potential Heisman Trophy candidate Teddy Bridgewater, solving the backfield riddle, and finding a new left tackle and center to replace All-Big East performers Alex Kupper and Mario Benavides. This looks to be another great football season and one that could take this program to another level from where it went last season. Get out and support the football team tomorrow as they take the field for the last time this spring.

CS: “The 1st year in the program was more about them learning who we were as coaches. Now they know and they understand it’s about executing.”
CS: “Consistency. Will we show up to play? No matter who we’re playing, will we show up to play? It’s all about being consistent.”
CS: “The key for us this year will be the leadership… where is the leadership going to come from? You have the guys, but who will lead?”

SPRING DEPTH CHART OFFENSE:

Here are some of the quotes about this group today:

CS: “It’s been pleasant to see the return of Dominique Brown. He’s been running the ball well this spring.”
CS: “The wide receiver position is probably the strength of our football team.”
CS: “Teddy just keeps better and better and better.”
CS: “To run the football, we know the game has to be won up front. Last Mario and Kupper were the anchors. We have to find that anchor.”
CS: “We’re going to let Teddy go & play, but we also want to let the 2 young guys get experience in front of a crowd. We must find a backup.”
CS: “Teddy doesn’t want to let people down and he doesn’t want all of the attention. He wants to win first and foremost.”
CS: “I like the way Teddy throws the football and he doesn’t turn the football over. You can count on him to play well.”
CS: “You have to pound people with the running game. You saw it in the Sugar Bowl as it worked to get more yards in the 2nd half.”

SPRING DEPTH CHART DEFENSE:

Here are some of the quotes about this group today:

CS: “On defense, we only lose one starter. We’ve had some injuries but we have experience.”
CS: “I dont know if there’s a player on the team that goes harder than Lorenzo Mauldin does.”
CS: “We expect a lot out of Preston Brown. We expect him to be our leader on defense.”
CS: “We probably have the two best safeties in the conference in Hakeem Smith and Calvin Pryor.”
CS: “Our players have to understand it’s all about competing. Our def goes against best QB in the country. That should make everyone better.”

SPRING DEPTH CHART SPECIAL TEAMS:

Coach Strong also talked about his team being able to stay humble this season a midst their lofty expectations. And he even mentioned that he could show them the video of the Syracuse game from last year. Coach closed out today talking about the Basketball team and how impressed he was with the fan support. Lets not let coach down tomorrow and get to those seats early and cheer on these guys. The basketball teams will also be honored at half time tomorrow and fans will get a chance to take a picture with the Championship trophy. Oh yea and 1$ beers.

CS: “When you have teamwork and you have sacrifice, you’re going to get your championship. That’s what the MBB team had this season.”
CS: “What we can’t do is become our own worst enemy. You can’t talk too much about winning Sugar Bowl.”
CS: “What I can do is always bring back Syracuse game film from last year and I did that last week. That keeps guys humble.”