Questions are being answered August 5, 2000 As the University of Louisville prepared for season, question marks were running rampant around the team’s practice fields. How would sophomore quarterback Dave Ragone respond to replacing Chris Redman? Who would fill the shoes of 1000-yard rusher Frank Moreau? Would the Louisville defense improve? Those are just a few of the questions that surrounded the program leading up to the season opener against in-state rival Kentucky. With the electrifying 40-34 overtime win over the rival Wildcats now behind the Cardinals, the coaching staff, players and fans, have more of understanding of what the 2000 University of Louisville football squad may be capable of. "I don’t think all those answers are totally answered yet," said head coach John L. Smith. "As the season goes I think we’ll definitely get answers to those questions." While they may not be completely answered after just one game, the answers are leaning towards a positive outcome. Dave Ragone, who was making his first collegiate start, played very well. Not once did I hear anyone mention the name Chris Redman. All though the Cardinals signal-caller fumbled the ball four times, twice from a bad exchange from center Jason Padgett and another being caused by a game official being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he did complete 76% of his passes for 256-yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. "He did some great things," commented Smith on Ragone, who ranks 20th in the nation in pass efficiency after his first start. "He did better than Lorenzen," added senior defensive tackle Derrick Kennedy. "They both did a good job, but Dave kept his composure, delivered the ball and he showed he could do it in a game. He has done good in practice and he stepped up in the game." During the first two seasons of his tenure as head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, John L. Smith seemed to find gems at running back in LeRoy Collins and Frank Moreau who both seemed to come out of nowhere to produce back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Heading into this season, Smith’s top two choices were Junior Tony Stallings, who had just one career rushing attempt and junior college transfer Chris Lester, who had no experience playing on the Division 1A level. Stallings received the start and accepted the challenge, rushing for 144-yards on just 15 carries. Lester also rushed 15 times, gaining 71-yards. Stallings who suffered from a position change to linebacker by former head coach Ron Cooper and various injuries became emotional when talking about finally getting his chance to run the ball. "It was lovely," said Stallings. "I thank the coaches for letting me get the switch. It gets me emotionally chocked up. I waited along time, three years, and it was great to be back…it was fun." "I think they helped each other out," said Smith of Stallings and Lester. "I think it’s good that we’ve got both of them, without a doubt." The Louisville defense, which has been one of the nations worst the previous two seasons, showed great signs of improvement. The unit held Kentucky to just 95-yards rushing, allowed just 15 first downs, intercepted three passes and blocked a potential game-winning field goal. "Our defensive line played well, but we still need to improve on some mistakes," said Smith at Monday’s press conference. "The linebacker spots played real good. Our secondary made some mistakes, but made some big plays, so we’re going to build on that." Sophomore safeties Curry Burns and Anthony Floyd came up with a number of big plays from their secondary positions. Burns led the team with 10 tackles, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and blocked the field goal attempt. Floyd was second on the team with 8 tackles, intercepted Jared Lorenzen’s pass in overtime and recovered a fumble. "This is a great start," commented Burns after the win. "We are still learning and we can learn a lot from this game. We still have to play better." A quick glance at the NCAA statistics show that the Cardinals excelled in numerous areas. The team ranks 28th in rushing and passing yards, 21st in total offense, 16th in scoring offense, 38th in rush defense, 11th in kickoff returns and 3rd in defense pass interceptions. While those numbers are impressive for such a young team, it is the character of this year’s squad that seems to impress its coach the most. "You never know about a young team and what they’re character is going to be and how they are going to adjust to adversity and all of those things, but I’m proud of our guys and how they handled that," said Smith. "We have a chance before the years out to be a pretty good football team. I really like these guys." Here's where the Cardinals stand nationally after the Kentucky win: Team Rankings: CATEGORY RANK AVG/GAME --------------------------------- Rushing 28th 186.0 Passing 28th 256.0 Total Offense 21st 442.0 Scoring Offense 16th 40.0 Rushing Defense 38th 95.0 Passing Defense 93rd 322.0 Total Defense 80th 417.0 Scoring Defense 80th 34.0 Net Punting 64th 34.0 Punt Return 88th 0.75 Kick Return 11th 31.2 Tunrover Margain 37th 1.0 Fumble Recover 13th 2.0 Pass Intercepted 3rd 3.0 Pass Effeciency 18th 159.98 Pass Eff. Def. 85th 155.22 Player Rankings: CATEGORY PLAYER RANK AVG/GAME --------------------------------------------- Rushing Stallings 11th 144.0 Pass Effeciency Ragone 20th 158.0 Total Offense Ragone 18th 276.0 Receptions/Game Branch 2nd 9.0 Jackson 11th 7.0 Receiving Yds Branch 9th 123.0 Interceptions Burns 3rd 1.0 Floyd 3rd 1.0 Holman 3rd 1.0 Kick Return Parker 4th 38.5 Scoring Branch 18th 12.0 Stallings 18th 12.0