Bolin’s stats definitely give him an edge over Reggie Bonnafon, who played against Auburn, and Lamar Jackson, who also played against the Tigers and started last week’s matchup with Houston before Bolin relieved him.
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Clemson, which has aspirations of making the College Football Playoff, began with easy home wins over Wofford (49-10) and Appalachian State (41-10) and boasts the preseason ACC Player of the Year in quarterback Deshaun Watson.
But a case can be made that if it were not for all the mistakes at the quarterback position, Lousiville might very well be 2-0 this season instead of 0-2.
“The game is getting slower for them”, Swinney said. “It was very exciting to see such a young team respond to having practice the next day”. The Cardinals showed a different look on defense against Houston in different formations, but the secondary was still bad.
LOUISVILLE – The Cards had a full ten days to prepare for the Houston Cougars, and they still lost.
It’s safe to say this is a big one for the Louisville football team. Louisville has had more test than it could handle and still seeks its first win after dropping its opener to Auburn and a stunner to Houston.
Despite the unusual timing, left guard Eric Mac Lain saw no drop off in intensity as the Tigers prepped for their toughest task challenge this season at Louisville on Thursday night.
But the injury certainly fueled his appreciation for the game.
“I enjoy it”, Watson said. “We’re not focused on the other opponents’ problems or issues or their record, what they have going on. You really have to have that desire and really love the game to come out and perform at your best”. “This Thursday, it’s going to be a fun one”.
And the Tigers hope to continue that trend tonight when they battle Louisville in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener in a nationally televised 7:30 game. I look for the Tigers to bring pressure and get after the quarterback early.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do”, said Petrino, whose team aims to avenge last year’s 23-17 road loss at Clemson in which a rally fell short after reaching the Tigers’ 1.
Norton becomes the third major Tiger starter to miss the Louisville game, joining wide receiver Mike Williams and placekicker Ammon Lakip.
“He’s a guy that we’re counting on to have a great year”, Swinney said of Watkins, who had an interception return for a touchdown against Appalachian State last weekend.
Louisville’s players said the locker room was quiet after the game on Saturday night, and Petrino said they reported back to the football facility quiet and pensive again on Sunday.
Petrino’s offense is averaging 27.5 points per game and is unsettled on a primary quarterback. “Committing here I knew that games like this would happen each year and I think I’m ready for the moment”.
“It’s kind of like us”.
2) They’ve got some play makers.
Watson and his teammates hope to remain in control against Louisville, which is winless but unsafe.
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“(Watson) throws the deep ball extremely well”, Petrino said.
