The Louisville offensive line is facing some of its toughest challenges early in the 2020 and it is likely to see the biggest of the season this Saturday at No. 21 Pittsburgh. A week after facing a Miami Hurricanes defensive front that has multiple NFL prospects, the Cardinals will face yet another group that ranks among the nation’s best.
The early challenges is something that provides immediate evidence of the strengths and weaknesses that may be present.
“I like it,” UofL offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford said on Tuesday. “It forces these guys to really see right away, are the fundamentals where they need to be? Are they where they need to be as far as alignment, assignment, technique, execution. I love it, I think it's really good and I told the guys today, looking back to last year to where we were at the beginning of the season or any point, I think the guys up front are straining, they're playing physical. I like how they came out this season and have worked. They cleaned up some issues we had in the first game. I really like being tested early out of the gate. You know right now what you've got to get better at, what you've got to work on and the guys are getting to see it.”
Against Miami, the offensive front helped produce a 164-yard outing for running back Javian Hawkins and provided ample protection for quarterback Micale Cunningham. It wasn’t a perfect outing, but one that displayed progress and the ability to compete against the best.
“I thought they did a really good job,” Ledford said. “I was very pleased with what they did on Saturday. Obviously, there's stuff we still have to clean up, but as far as the way they came out and prepared during the week of practice and playing a real physical defensive front. It was a good, physical game up front and I like the way the guys played. I've been very pleased from an effort standpoint and some of the things they're doing right now.”
Up next is a Pittsburgh defense that ranks among the nation’s best in multiple categories. The Panthers lead the nation with 10 sacks through two games and sit third in the country with 22 tackles for a loss.
Stressing just how good the Pittsburgh defense is has been a priority for Ledford.
“I spent a good amount of time in our meetings [Tuesday] just making sure the guys understand,” Ledford said. “I said, 'You guys understand what I'm telling you. When I tell you these things, do you think it's just coaching talk or do you really believe what I'm saying? Because what I'm about to tell you about this defense is they're really, really good. I talked to them about the history of that program. That team prides themselves on playing sound, physical defense and obviously they've done that. They're a defensive front from the back end all the way up to the front end that's very talented, they're physical, they've got great size and year in and year out they're a great defense. I told our guys this is a big-time test for them. Huge.”
Pitt’s all-out approach in bringing pressure is just part of the difficult challenge of keeping the Panthers defense in check.
“Well, it's difficult because you're watching the whole thing and you're looking how they're going to play the run fits, what they're trying to take away,” Ledford explained. “At the same time you're looking at what they're doing on the outside with their corners and safeties and what they do schematically it's really good. The kids know it real well, they're a lot of upperclassmen, a lot of redshirt juniors and seniors who have been in that system for awhile. They fly around, they know it well, so it's going to be a huge challenge for us because they're going to be where they're supposed to be and they're flying around.”
Saturday’s kickoff between the Cardinals and Panthers is set for noon on the ACC Network.
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September 23, 2020 at 11:54PM
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Louisville OL prepping for difficult challenge of Pitt defense - 247Sports
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