⚡ CFB Dashboard

Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm returned for his usual Monday press conference after UofL's win over SMU this weekend.  After the press conference, CardinalAuthority's Jacob Polacheck and Michael McCammon are sharing some of their takeaways from Brohm's presser.  Taking Care of the Football Through three games this season, Louisville is yet to commit a turnover. That's been a main point of emphasis for this team early in the year.  "Winning the turnover battle is critical when playing good football teams," Brohm said. "For us to have done that through three games has helped us be where we're at right now. It's just something; occasionally, they're going to sneak on you and happen. You just have to minimize them as much as you can."  Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has 10 total touchdowns this year without an interception. Meanwhile, Louisville's running game has found its rhythm without giving up the ball.  -Jacob Polacheck 'That Dude, He's My Quarterback' Louisville offensive lineman Cason Henry was asked about protecting a quarterback that doesn't seem shy of contact.  In three games, first-year starting quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has been anything but bashful when it comes to contact. Instead, he prefers to stiff-arm a would-be tackler or dive into a pile in an effort to pick up a first down or cross the goal line. "He's a dude," Henry said. "I mean, he's a football guy, he loves contact, he loves running, he loves football. There's nothing much I can do about that. That's a personality thing for him. I love playing with a tough guy like that, and I think it makes my life a lot easier and hypes me up on the field when I see him stiff-arm somebody to the ground or like run over somebody. I'm like, 'That's my quarterback, man." -Michael McCammon Offensive Line Delivers Louisville's offensive line responded after another change in personnel by helping the Cardinals rush for 265 yards and allowing zero sacks.  Anwar O'Neal returned, and Lance Robinson stepped up at center to give the Cardinals a much-needed boost. Brohm acknowledged that Robinson must improve his snaps, but praised his versatility, intelligence, and toughness.  "Overall, our offensive line - running the ball like that and - I know our quarterback is a scrambler, but giving up zero sacks says a lot for the offensive line," Brohm said.  Brohm said that he'll need the offensive line to "play outstanding for us to get a win" against Wake Forest on Saturday.  -Jacob Polacheck Looking Good, But Improvement Needed Every team is seeking for ways to improve and Jeff Brohm is fully aware of areas that his squad needs to tighten up. During his Monday comments, he noted that the defense needs to be "way better" at stopping the run and that "it's important that we don't give up big plays." Clearly, penalties remain an issue. The Cardinals were flagged, once again, for multiple personal fouls penalties, among others. "[There are] plenty deficiencies that we need to work on," Brohm said. "And you work to try to find a way to play that perfect game, which probably won't happen, but you strive for it. And we know what our weaknesses are and where we need to get better. So, I think if we work on that while continuing to get it to our playmakers to be efficient in that, then we should have a chance." -Michael McCammon No Time For a Victory Lap Louisville won't have much time to celebrate the win over SMU. They'll face a tough test against Wake Forest on Saturday, and it's one that Jeff Brohm isn't overlooking.  "Just like last week, this is another tough opponent. We're going to approach it like another one-game season," Brohm said. "You can't let your foot off the gas for one second. You can't allow anybody to pat you on the back, and you relax for one minute, because it's not going to work."  That means that Brohm, as well as Louisville's coaches and players, are "cranking it up this week" ahead of Wake Forest. With playoff hopes intact, every week is critical.  -Jacob Polacheck "Dumb & Silly" We know this. Many of the miscues that have led Louisville to sit at No. 123 of out 138 in penalties per game have been of the "dumb and silly" variety. "It'll be a huge emphasis," Brohm said. "I thought it was last week, obviously that didn't work." There were discussions and repercussions, but the personal foul penalties, and the like, continued against SMU. "Some of really just dumb and silly, and unnecessary. We have to eliminate those. Quite a few of those this week were on the defense when we didn't need to do it." The discussion and consequences will continue. "The 15-yarders are going to cost us," Brohm said.  -Michael McCammon