LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) — Spring football games are trending in the direction of Wing-T offense and paper tickets.
The world has found a different way.
Word is that ESPN gave every Atlantic Coast Conference program the option to air its spring football game on television or via a digital network.
Two programs raised their hands — Virginia and Georgia Tech. Everybody else passes. Some did more than pass. The canceled the party.
Everybody else is fretting about the most alarming force in college sports — the transfer portal.
Don’t want other teams to see how you’re utilizing the new guys on your roster. Don’t want them to see who looks good so another program can make them an offer to leave. Don’t want them to note who isn’t playing so opposing coaches say search for a disgruntled soul.
I’ll stop there. But I’ll also give credit to Louisville coach Jeff Brohm because he went forward with the Cardinals’ spring game Friday night at L&N Cardinal Stadium.
No, it was not televised. But the gates were open for anybody to enter without a fee to enter or park.
That’s nothing dismiss after I tell you that Texas, USC, Nebraska, Florida State, Michigan State, Minnesota, North Carolina State and North Carolina’s Bill Belichick all passed on having spring games.
Brohm said that he learned things from the Cards’ spring game that the White offensive team won over the Red defensive team, 32-24.
“It’s invaluable,” Brohm said. “So to waste a spring game and not (find out what your players can do in game conditions), to me, you’re hurting yourself.
“Of course you don’t want to get guys injured.
“I think some people are scared that other people are going to watch and steal their players. In my opinion, people already know who we have and people already know who the other teams have. So it is what it is.”
He liked the way that new quarterback Miller Moss threw the ball, especially deep, while completing 18 of 26 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown and interception.
But he knows — and Moss knows — that the quarterback from Southern Cal will have to throw it better. Moss is smaller and not as athletic as departed U of L quarterback Tyler Shough, who has played his way into becoming a second-round NFL Draft pick. But Moss throws a crisp deep ball.
“I think Miller’s had a really good camp,” Brohm said. “He’s a good leader. Works really hard. Throws an accurate football. Has good poise. He’s been battle tested. He can handle adversity …
“… he’s got a chance to be really good. He knows where our weapons our. He’s got to continue to develop more weapons.”
Brohm knows that receivers Caullin Lacy and Chris Bell will be solid playmakers. But he will challenge them to become elite playmakers without any off weeks. Antonio Meeks looked capable of becoming a third dangerous weapon, catching a pair of balls for 63 yards.
Tight End?
Brohm said that remained the thinnest position on the roster and hinted that the Cardinals would be looking for help when the transfer portal opens again.
Running back?
No reason to dwell on that. Isaac Brown and Duke Watson eliminated all doubts about their ability to succeed last season, especially when they combined to put 282 yards and four touchdowns in the Cards’ thunderous 41-14 victory at Kentucky. Spring games are not the venue to work on a running game. It’s played without tackling ball carriers to the turf.
Defensive line?
Brohm said D-line looked like the most dependable position with the Cards nearly three deep at every spot.
“I like our defensive line overall,” Brohm said. “Some don’t have much experience, so that’s a concern. But they have talent.”
Cornerback Rodney Johnson, a transfer from Southern University, contributed a turnover and flashed a persistence of being in position to make plays.
“Rodney has come in a done a really good job at the corner position,” Brohm said. “He’s got really good size. He studies a lot. He’s in there all the time, which I really like.”
It’s only 141 days until the Cards’ opener against Eastern Kentucky on Aug. 30, the first of eight home games.
“You’ve got to take advantage of every practice,” Brohm said. “Whatever happens after these next couple of weeks (with the transfer portal) happens. And then you continue to move forward.”
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