UL OL Pete Nygra

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- With new University of Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, there are plenty of sexy statistics.

The 334-yard, three-touchdown passing game against UCLA in 2020 as well as the 436-yard, two-touchdown game against Oklahoma in 2022. Don't forget that he threw for three scores and ran for 101 yards against Oregon last season.

But until Shough proves that he can plant his feet in the pocket and occasionally scramble through an entire football season, these are the stats that begin every conversation about the Cards' starting quarterback.

Games played:

  • 2019 — Five at Oregon
  • 2020 — Seven (which was the entire Oregon season)
  • 2021 — Four at Texas Tech
  • 2022 — Seven at Texas Tech
  • 2023 — Four at Texas Tech

Nobody had to repeat those numbers for guard Austin Collins and center Pete Nygra, a pair of Cardinal offensive linemen, who spoke to the media after practice Monday. They were aware.

But they were also asked about the importance of keeping Shough from violent landings on his collarbones while also protecting the fibula that Shough broke in the fourth week of the 2023 season at Texas Tech.

"It's in the job description to protect for him," Nygra said.

"We take pride in not getting our quarterback hurt," Collins added.

Assistant coach Richard Owens built an offensive line that was generally a strength of the 2023 Cardinals. U of L finished fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing, sending a pair of backs (Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo) into the National Football League.

But the unit did allow 2.29 sacks per game, which ranked 11th in the 14-team ACC. The Cards were also eighth in offensive plays that resulted in tackles for a loss at 5.29.

Two starters return — tackle Michael Gonzalez, a preseason first-team all-ACC performer and Collins, who took over after Renato Brown was injured.

Owens said that he wants the 2024 offensive line to be deeper and more versatile. He expects guys to be able to play multiple positions.

"The depth helps with the competition and guys pushing to get better every day," Owens said.

"We've got some pieces we can move around and fit guys in when somebody gets tired or somebody's struggling a little bit, let's change it up. Get somebody else in and get them reps."

Collins played three high school seasons at Christian Academy in Louisville before finishing his prep career in northwest Ohio at Perrysburg High School. This is his fifth season in the U of L program, first as the likely opening game starter.

He saw what Jordan and Guerendo accomplished, combining for more than 1,900 yards and 24 touchdowns. Collins said the offensive line expects big numbers from the Louisville running game again this season.

"I don't see any drop off," Collins said. "We had two of our three star running backs go to the league and they're already excelling in the preseason … I think (this year's backs) have a big dynamic as well."

This is the fourth season of college football for Nygra, but first at Louisville. The Cards list him at 6 feet, 4 inches tall and 310 pounds. As a senior at Brownsburg High School in suburban Indianapolis, Nygra said that he was 6 foot, 3 inches tall and 245 pounds.

That's not Power 5 football size. Nygra said he did not have any Power 5 scholarship offers. He signed with Northern Illinois in the Mid American Conference, where he started 23 games, including a dozen last season at center for the Huskies.

Was he motivated by the opportunity to prove himself at a higher level of competition?

Yes, he was.

"When you're in college, you're always comparing yourself against the best," Nygra said. "That's what the best do, they compare themselves to the best to see what they do and how they play the game. To see if you can emulate that and build your game up."

Both know they will also be judged by how much the Louisville running game produces and whether they can keep Shough off the injured list.

Collins and Nygra have watched their quarterback perform. They sounded convinced that the hype surrounding Shough is legitimate.

"He can throw the rock, man," Nygra said. "You give him time to throw and he makes plays happen. He makes plays happen. He's a great player and he'll be good for us this year."

"One, he's a stand up guy, a very good person," Collins said.

"And two, he's out there rolling to the left, slinging it 40 yards downfield, like no man's business. Like, no reason he should have a pass that accurate downfield and he can do it."

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