No. 25 Louisville's defense seeks improvement

By Gary Graves

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Sept. 3 2012 1:45 p.m. MDT

Louisville coach Charlie Strong, left, talks with cornerback Adrian Bushell (21) during a time out in their season-opening NCAA college football game at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, against rival Kentucky. Louisville won 32-14.

Garry Jones, AP Photo

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Summary

Louisville's defense got the job done and the No. 25 Cardinals won their season opener.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville's defense got the job done and the No. 25 Cardinals won their season opener.

Nonetheless, some aspects of the unit's performance in the 32-14 win against Kentucky give Cardinals coach Charlie Strong pause.

Louisville gave up 373 yards, including 280 passing — numbers that ultimately didn't affect the outcome with the Cardinals' offense rolling up 466 total yards and scoring seemingly when it wanted to.

But the Wildcats' no-huddle sets forced the Cardinals to react and contain rather than consistently pressure Kentucky quarterback Maxwell Smith.

Two sacks, two fumble recoveries and allowing just 93 rushing yards offset things some, though not enough to satisfy a unit used to having its way. The Cardinals feel like they have several things to improve on Saturday at home against Missouri State.

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