Louisville defensive line

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The last time we watched the University of Louisville football team's defense the Cards were spectators, too.

They watched USC backup quarterback Miller Moss throw touchdown pass after touchdown pass after touchdown pass and generally impersonate Tom Brady while dropping 42 points on the Cardinals.

The last time we saw the Cards' defense on its home turf, Kentucky averaged nearly 6.2 yards per snap while scoring 38 points in an ugly upset.

The Cards allowed more than 430 yards in the two games prior to Kentucky but outscored Miami and Virginia to win each game by a touchdown.

This was a defense that allowed 300 yards or less in six of its first nine games.

Inquiring minds (and message boards) wanted to know: What happened to the Louisville defense that combined with the running game to carry the Cards in the first half of the season?

Was it more demanding competition?

Was it injuries?

Fatigue?

Boredom about playing in the Holiday Bowl?

Ron English

Louisville defensive coordinator Ron English during a preseason practice on August 5, 2023.

The answer, according to U of L co-defensive coordinator Ron English, is none of the above.

Ron English said the answer was Ron English.

"I didn't coach as well as I needed to," English said. "I didn't put the players in the positions they needed to be in. And that was the facts."

It was a refreshing and jarring bit of introspective analysis from English, in his fourth season working for head coach Jeff Brohm, two at Purdue and two at U of L.

Overall, the Cards delivered a solid defensive season. Fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring defense, at 21.3 points per game. First in rushing defense, the only ACC team to limit opponents to less than 100 yards per game. Third in total defense, behind only Clemson and Virginia Tech.

But ... in a five-game mid-season stretch, Louisville limited North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Duke and Virginia Tech to 226 yards per game.

Then ... in the five-game closing stretch, Virginia, Miami, Kentucky, Florida State and USC averaged 374 yards per game. That's how you slide from 10-1 to 10-4.

"Without depth, it shows up at the end of seasons, right?" English said. "It kind of showed up It kind of showed up in the middle of our defense last year with the linebackers and safeties.

"But I felt that coaching was a part of it. I would say this: I don't think we coached our best games against Kentucky and Southern Cal.

"I think we played well for a half and then I think we kind of got rattled (against UK). The kickoff return (100 yards for a touchdown by UK's Barion Brown) hurt us a little bit and we didn't really choke them out as well as we had.

"So I think we can coach better to be honest."

The U of L players were not the only ones with work to do during the off season. English visited Phil Snow, former defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. Snow coached English at the University of California and then worked for him at Eastern Michigan. English took another trip to Annapolis, Maryland to brainstorm with the staff at the Naval Academy.

"If you can pick up one or two things, it's good for you," English said. "I'm talking about putting a scheme together where (the opposing offense) is off balance because most of the year they were."

Here is something that's even better for you: a deeper, more talented roster. That is what English believes that he has with the 2024 Cardinals.

English said that he felt comfortable with four cornerbacks and six inside guys or safeties.

Last season?

"It wasn't like this," English said. "I will say this: The last time I had this much depth was Michigan."

Michigan?

That was 2003 when English ran the secondary for Lloyd Carr and the Wolverines, before he made his first stop in Louisville as the defensive coordinator in 2008.

English also said he believes the Cards are solid at linebacker. And the defensive line?

"I like the D Line," English said. "I like the D Line. They're deep.

"And, I mean, my gosh we got a couple pieces here. I like the D line. They're deep. We have some edge rushers to complement (all-American end Ashton) Gillotte. The D line is deep. They're deep."

Now it's up to Ron English to finish stronger than Ron English said he should have finished last season.

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