Red Rage

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Kentucky Report Card

RED RAGE REPORT CARD

GRADE UNIT COMMENTS

A+ Quarterbacks Sure Dave Ragone fumbled four times, but you could argue that just once was it truely his fault. Sure he was quick to run early in the game, but who wouldn't under those circumstances, with his running ability? After he settled down, the new Cardinal general was great. Here's a guy who has only attempted two passes in his Louisville career and he comes out, against a rival, and completes 76% of his passes, has three touchdowns and no interceptions. WOW! I hope everyone has shades, cause his future sure is bright!

A+ Running Backs Very similar circumstances as Ragone. Not one experienced runner on the Louisville squad and junior Tony Stallings comes out and looks like a Heisman candidate. To nearly averaged 10-yards a carry. JUCO transfer Chris Lester also proved that he is worth all the hype and showed why everyone was recruiting him.

A+ Receivers Jackson was handcuffed all night, yet still managed to catch 7 passes and find the endzone once. Branch proved he's the real deal. Dorsey and Parker were more than efficient. They all blocked well down field. Tightend Ronnie Ghent is a serious asset...great blocker and has great hands.

B- Offensive Line This group will improve. While they dominated the Kentucky defensive line against the run, opening holes all night, they allowed too much pressure on Ragone.

C Defensive Line Just one sack and not much pressure all night. However, the did keep Kentucky's running game in check and performed better as the game went on.

B- Linebackers Harris looked better than I have ever seen him during the second half! Brown, Collins, Freitag and others did a nice job against the run.

B- Secondary The secondary showed signs of greatness, but also reminded us of the past two seasons units. They allowed a couple huge plays from the Kentucky offense, but unlike the previous couple years, the group came up with huge plays when needed. Burns and Floyd remind me of Buchanan and Madison.

C+ Special Teams Zek again dominated kick returns! The kicking game was decent, no missed extra points, but kickoffs were short. The punting game was below average, but it will improve.

A Coaching John L. Smith and staff had this team perfectly prepared and conditioned. There is no question that the Louisville staff outcoached their counterparts from Lexington. They quickly realized the Kentucky weaknesses and took advantage of them all night. They did a great job of rotating the defensive line, keeping them fresh, which was a big part of the outcome. Rotating Stallings and Lester was an excellent decision that kept Mumme guessing all night.

B Overall Too many fumbles and penalties, but it was of course the first game of the season, with a lot of new starters. Taking that into consideration, this team performed very well. The defense needs to find a way into the backfield more and the secondary needs to stick to their receivers and not gamble as much. Padgett needs to improve his snaps. However, while it is obvious that this Cardinals team still has room for improvement, Kentucky should consider itself lucky that the turnovers and penalties happened so frequently because these teams aren't as close as the score indicates.

RED RAGE REPORT CARD
GRADE	UNIT	COMMENTS
A+	Quarterbacks	Sure Dave Ragone fumbled four times, but you could argue that just once was it truely his fault. Sure he was quick to run early in the game, but who wouldn't under those circumstances, with his running ability? After he settled down, the new Cardinal general was great. Here's a guy who has only attempted two passes in his Louisville career and he comes out, against a rival, and completes 76% of his passes, has three touchdowns and no interceptions. WOW! I hope everyone has shades, cause his future sure is bright!
A+	Running Backs	Very similar circumstances as Ragone. Not one experienced runner on the Louisville squad and junior Tony Stallings comes out and looks like a Heisman candidate. To nearly averaged 10-yards a carry. JUCO transfer Chris Lester also proved that he is worth all the hype and showed why everyone was recruiting him.
A+	Receivers	Jackson was handcuffed all night, yet still managed to catch 7 passes and find the endzone once. Branch proved he's the real deal. Dorsey and Parker were more than efficient. They all blocked well down field. Tightend Ronnie Ghent is a serious asset...great blocker and has great hands.
B-	Offensive Line	This group will improve. While they dominated the Kentucky defensive line against the run, opening holes all night, they allowed too much pressure on Ragone.
C	Defensive Line	Just one sack and not much pressure all night. However, the did keep Kentucky's running game in check and performed better as the game went on.
B-	Linebackers	Harris looked better than I have ever seen him during the second half! Brown, Collins, Freitag and others did a nice job against the run.
B-	Secondary	The secondary showed signs of greatness, but also reminded us of the past two seasons units. They allowed a couple huge plays from the Kentucky offense, but unlike the previous couple years, the group came up with huge plays when needed. Burns and Floyd remind me of Buchanan and Madison.
C+	Special Teams	Zek again dominated kick returns! The kicking game was decent, no missed extra points, but kickoffs were short. The punting game was below average, but it will improve.
A	Coaching	John L. Smith and staff had this team perfectly prepared and conditioned. There is no question that the Louisville staff outcoached their counterparts from Lexington. They quickly realized the Kentucky weaknesses and took advantage of them all night. They did a great job of rotating the defensive line, keeping them fresh, which was a big part of the outcome. Rotating Stallings and Lester was an excellent decision that kept Mumme guessing all night.
B	Overall	Too many fumbles and penalties, but it was of course the first game of the season, with a lot of new starters. Taking that into consideration, this team performed very well. The defense needs to find a way into the backfield more and the secondary needs to stick to their receivers and not gamble as much. Padgett needs to improve his snaps. However, while it is obvious that this Cardinals team still has room for improvement, Kentucky should consider itself lucky that the turnovers and penalties happened so frequently because these teams aren't as close as the score indicates.