2003 Statistics

Quarterback
Louisville hasn't had many quarterbacks like Stefan LeFors. He's mobile, has a lively arm and has a good grasp of the offense. And, like most Cardinals quarterbacks in recent years, he played well enough to earn first-team all league honors. Sophomore Justin Rascatti, however, has a better arm and could someday lead this offense to big things. Of course, one-time prep All-American Michael Bush has more potential than LeFors and Rascatti put together, but his future is at running back. Or is it wide receiver? Then there's freshman Brian Brohm, who was named the USA Today National Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 and is one of the top recruits to ever sign at Louisville. This position is awash with talent for years to come.

Running Back
Lionel Gates runs with speed and power and stole some of the spotlight away from Florida State-transfer Eric Shelton. Like Gates, Shelton is huge (245 pounds) and loves to pound defenders. Together, they form the most punishing rushing duo in Conference USA. Don't forget about Bush, the best all-round athlete on the team, who will also see time at wide receiver.

Wide Receiver
Perhaps the best deep threat in C-USA is J.R. Russell who had a breakout year in '03. At 6-3, he provides a huge target. Russell will once again be the primary receiver while others like Bush and Joshua Tinch will have to share. All three are field-stretchers, meaning defenses have to play back when they head down field. Backups extend the depth adequately, meaning opponents will be seeing capable hands in each position of their three-receiver sets.

Tight End
This position will be wide open. Gone is Ronnie Ghent, one of the nation's best, as well as massive backup Richard Owens. Sophomore Wayne Riles has the size, speed, smarts, and especially hands to be the next great Louisville TE. The Cardinals mince no words when telling all of how they openly target this position for success. With the balance this team reflects, it is no wonder we feel this way about both Riles and Thomas Boyce's chances of positively impacting Louisville's assured offensive flare.

Offensive Line
Tackles Travis Leffew and Renardo Foster, along with guard Jason Spitz, are the lone returning starters from a strong unit. LT Leffew is the best athlete of the group and has improved tremendously since arriving on campus, while Spitz is capable of playing either guard position. Senior center Will Rabatin is solid when healthy. This was an improved unit that allowed only 13 sacks and provided plenty of holes for the running game. Still, some experience is gone and injuries have always been a problem. But look for this dimension to again shine as enough experience will make 5.7 yards per carry close to what the running game again averages.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The Cardinals will be fun to watch. Head coach Bobby Petrino's entertaining product averaged a staggering 36.2 points (ranked 15th in nation) and 488 yards per game of total offense (ranked 5th in I-A). But most important is their balance - they were one of a handful of teams to average 200 yards per game both on the ground and through the air, making for an offense that will again keep defenses guessing and constantly on their heels. Louisville runs 60% and passes 40% of the time, making it obvious that if the ground game is clicking, they need only pass to assure defensive honesty which ultimately produces more grinding, incremental success. The good news is most of the main cogs return. LeFors has two all-league tailbacks to hand off to and a potential all-American wide receiver. When the ball gets to Bush, something wonderful generally happens. Quality depth at wide receiver won't be a problem, and the offensive line needs a slight overhaul but remains solid.

Defensive Line
In his first season as a starter, defensive Marcus Jones delivered 10 sacks and an all-league performance. At 235 pounds he isn't that big, but has tremendous speed and great instincts. Bobby Leffew has been a solid player at both end and tackle, although leg injuries have hampered him throughout most of his career. He will be inside to start as things look now. Pencil in junior Montavious Stanley to spell the departed Scott Lopez, while junior Elvis Dumervil provides depth at end. Freshman Shane Bailey is the wildcard who will either inject the needed life, or add to the unreached potential of this crew. This group was outstanding at times with Jones always dancing in the backfield and not allowing much against the run. But they ultimately ranked 76th against the run, so this group has (its work cut out so as) to challenge themselves to keep teams under four per rush this campaign.

Linebacker
Former special teams gem Robert McCune is the man now. It can be argued that McCune was the unit's glue last season after leading the Cards in tackles. Still, important departee-Day's presence cannot be overlooked. Junior Brandon Johnson is blessed with speed and is a quality cover man. Dariontae Taylor is a smallish burner with safety speed and instincts. Senior Jonathan Jackerson has good size and, from sideline-to-sideline, will be the only experienced, upperclass depth here. While the linebacking corps is quick and athletic, they are not as deep as a year ago, and this could spell trouble with the already green elements of the front-four.

Defensive Back
Senior Kerry Rhodes, a former quarterback, is the most experienced of the safeties, but Brent Johnson, the team's second leading tackler, is perhaps more versatile. But Rhodes and Johnson have both been bypassed for greener, yet more-talented players in underclassmen Malik Jackson and Brandon Sharp. These replacements are not to say all won't be employed in nickel and ime scenarios, but this all bodes well for an average unit from '03. Antoine Harris was a wideout, but proved to be more valuable defensive back. William Gay is another DB/CB who has made it to the top of his position's listing on spring depth charts. Gay's nose for the ball will make this unit assuredly tighter in '03.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The Cards offense got the majority of the credit for the team's success, but the defense is often (but not consistently enough) as good and improved as the past season progressed. Rhodes and McCune are stars in their own right, and that makes the back-seven seem improved to us as we sit now. But much has to be done to make this bottom-third defense a better overall unit, and sizing up the players makes us believe they will have to play over their heads, so to speak, for results this way. The secondary will improve, and so should most areas as a majority of the starters are back. The defense will be the true measure for 2004 Cardinal team destiny - we know the offense will click.