LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The first University of Louisville football scrimmage of the 2024 season was closed to the media at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium Saturday morning.
That’s not a criticism of head coach Jeff Brohm. That’s standard operating procedure everywhere in college football today. Opposing programs will steal everything but your field turf if you allow too many people to watch what’s going on.
But it’s also a reminder that writing a column about what happened at a scrimmage you did not watch is like throwing into coverage with your eyes shielded.
You saw nothing. There were no statistics. There was no video. The task on Saturday was to interpret what Jeff Brohm said and how he said it.
And my interpretation was this: Overall, Brohm wanted to see more from the performance of his second U of L team during its first session of extended live hitting.
The players who were supposed to be prime contributors performed the way Brohm expected.
Except quarterback Tyler Shough threw an interception that Brohm criticized. And the defense allowed several big running and passing plays.
That happens. It’s scrimmage No. 1. There will be another one next Saturday. And likely one more after that before the Cardinals open at home against Austin Peay at noon on Aug. 31.
But the concern Brohm mentioned multiple times was not enough new faces stepped forward to dazzle the coaching staff.
Brohm reserved any bonus praise for two players: defensive back D’Angelo Hutchinson and freshman running back Isaac Brown.
Other than that?
Ask Brohm.
“Typical good first scrimmage,” Brohm said. “Saw some good things. Definitely the playmakers that showed up to this point were the playmakers that showed up today. So that was good to see.
“They're going have to be our steady guys every year.
“I would have liked to see a few guys emerge and didn’t really see that yet. But we're getting better and we have some depth that has some potential. We just got to get them ready to go and they’ve got to make plays when it comes into scrimmage situations.”
But nobody beyond the expected headliners stood out?
“Well, that’s what I was saying,” Brohm said. “Really not.
“You know what? I think D'Angelo Hutchinson in the secondary has come around and made plays. It gives us some depth out there.”
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I asked Brohm what he focused his attention on during scrimmages — as it happened from the sidelines and in his office watching post-practice video.
“Well, we're looking for guys to make plays and to do their jobs and improve and to see something that's noticeable,” Brohm said.
“Sometimes with linemen, if the O-line is not noticeable, that's a good thing. It means they've done a pretty good job. I think we have made some improvements there.
“We got to continue to build the depth on the D-line. I think we got a ton of depth. We just got to get some production and get in the backfield and get sacks. We have some depth in the secondary. So that is good.
“We gave up some big plays today at times which wasn't good, but overall, we still had quite a few stops as well. So I just think being consistent. While you're consistent, not turning it over and getting turnovers is going to be critical for us.”
Brohm said this was the most overall depth he’s had, especially on the defensive line. He believes the Cards have two or three guys at each spot capable of making powerful contributions. Ditto the secondary. There is not as much depth at linebacker.
“I feel like we have the players and the personnel to play really good defense,” Brohm said.
And the quarterback play?
“Kind of what we've seen in camp,” Brohm said. “Tyler Shough definitely made a ton of plays.
“Had a costly interception where he tried to force things but he can make plays. He can create a little bit. He can make plays and throw the ball vertically. He definitely has some savvy, and overall did a good job.
“The backup position I think is highly contested between Pierce (Clarkson), Harrison (Bailey) and Brady (Allen) and they all did some good things and all did some things not as good. We’ve got to keep getting that position better.
“So we'll look at the video there. I would have liked to see us make some more plays at the backup quarterback position, but we'll keep working through it.”
Brohm said that his post-scrimmage message to his players was Football 101. The guys who made plays need to do that every practice.
And the others?
“Some new guys need to emerge,” Brohm said. “I didn't see that as much.
“So new guys need to step up and stand out. And yeah, it's good to be consistent and steady, but you’ve got to stand out and make plays on whatever side of the ball you're on.
“I know it's a little hard on the O-line and D-line to show that. But in the skilled positions, you've got to show it.
“You've got to be playmakers and that I didn't see as much as I would like, just based on being on the sidelines. But that's what we got to continue to work through. And hopefully we will.”
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