Fort Worth Star-telegram write-up
Fort Worth Star-telegram write-up
Frogs try to slow down Cardinals' potent offense
By Damien Pierce
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
When Louisville's offensive juggernaut had finally finished plowing through another overwhelmed defense Thursday night, Memphis coach Tommy West took a stat sheet into his office after the game and studied the daunting numbers.
The Tigers had given up 56 points, 599 offensive yards and couldn't stop the Cardinals from scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final minute.
In other words, it wasn't nearly as bad as West thought.
"I know it sounds crazy, but I thought we played better defense against Louisville than we had a week earlier," said West, whose team lost to Cincinnati 49-10 the previous week. "I've got bad news [for whoever plays Louisville]. They're about the best offensive team I have played in a very long time. It wasn't an accident, what they did against us. You just have to hold your breath."
Louisville's take-your-breath-away offense will have TCU on high alert tonight when the Horned Frogs become the latest school to attempt to slow down the No. 12 Cardinals. No defense, including Miami's once-proud unit, has had any success in doing that.
The Cardinals, who haven't scored fewer than 28 points in a game this season, lead the nation in total offense (519.7 yards per game) and are third in scoring offense (44 points per game). Louisville has a balanced attack that leads Conference USA in rushing and passing.
Making matters worse, the Horned Frogs haven't exactly struck fear into opposing defenses this season. Despite showing improvement in the past two games, TCU's defense has been ridiculed for missed tackles most of this season and ranks last in the nation in pass defense (304.3 yards per game).
"The best chance you have is to be like them and attack," TCU coach Gary Patterson said of slowing down Louisville. "They're very good at what they do. Their wide receivers are good at breaking tackles, their quarterback scrambles against everyone and they run about five tailbacks at you. You have to fight back."
Patterson's defenses have relied on an aggressive nature since he arrived in 1998, and the Horned Frogs once again lead the conference in sacks with a blitz-happy scheme.
But so far this season, the Horned Frogs have struggled in pass coverage, haven't tackled well and haven't created much pressure with their front four. The result has been a defense that is giving up 33.2 points per game.
Now come the Cardinals. Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors, the nation's second most efficient passer, has the ability to scramble out of trouble, and the Cardinals will make TCU respect the run before trying downfield passes.
"I've had some pretty good offenses, but this unit runs the ball with a little more power than we've had in the past," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said. "That's what really makes us consistent. You can't take one thing away."
Petrino said LeFors is the player who makes it all work. Rather than targeting one player, the quarterback spreads the ball around to multiple threats. J.R. Russell draws the most attention of Louisville's receivers, but LeFors doesn't rely solely on him.
"Stefan understands our offense very well," Petrino said. "He's one of the few quarterbacks I've coached who doesn't care what player is at what position. He reads the defense and reads the coverage and throws it to the guy who is supposed to be open. It sounds simple, but it's actually pretty unique."
The Horned Frogs are counting on their recent improvement in dealing with such a quarterback and offense. In the past two games, TCU limited Houston and Cincinnati to an average of 205.5 passing yards.
However, TCU allowed Cincinnati a season-high 255 rushing yards. The Cardinals, who have the league's top ground game, can certainly match that with a group of talented running backs that includes Eric Shelton, Michael Bush and Lionel Gates.
It might not sound very promising. But that's what facing Louisville has been about this season.
"On film, we've been impressed with what we have seen," safety Marvin Godbolt said. "They can make plays, but we're confident in our ability. We have to slow them down."
TCU KEYS TO THE GAME
STOPPING THE QUARTERBACK: Louisville's Stefan LeFors, above, is at his best when he is on the move. The Horned Frogs have to keep him in the pocket or the points will pile up in a hurry. LeFors can help Louisville score by running or throwing, and the Frogs would be well-advised to contain him in the pocket and make him beat them passing.
STOPPING THE RECEIVERS: Louisville might have several big-play receivers, but the Frogs can't leave J.R. Russell, above, in one-on-one coverage. The secondary will need to play a lot of zone and must gang-tackle whenever a wideout gets his hands on the football. This offense thrives on big plays, so TCU must minimize them.
STOPPING THE RUNNING BACK: The Horned Frogs have one of the better run defenses in the league, but Louisville's running-back committee, led by Eric Shelton and Michael Bush, above, is the most physical group TCU has faced. If TCU allows Louisville's backs to establish the physical tone of the game, the Cardinals will run wild.
