U of L's Parker a "matchup problem" for ND
They're par for the course at this point, but the rave reviews of Louisville receiver DeVante Parker's play continued on Wednesday.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, the first to chat with reporters on this week's ACC coaches teleconference, said the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Parker is "a matchup problem."
Parker has played in just three games this season after missing the first seven contests because of a foot fracture. He already has 25 catches for a team-leading 490 yards. His 29-yard touchdown catch at BC on Nov. 8 was his first score of the season.
"You have to know where he is at all times," Kelly said. "He just adds another dimension to a balanced offense."
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Kelly said on Tuesday that teams try to play zone defense against Parker, slotting one defender in front of or next to Parker while another defender helps out from behind. The goal in doing that, Kelly explained, is to flood Parker's area so much that the quarterback has to look elsewhere.
If teams stick with man-to-man coverage against Parker, Kelly added, Louisville's quarterbacks can just keep watching Parker run his route because he'll eventually get open.
"He's got range, but he's got the speed of elite receivers," Kelly said. "They're very rare to find. He's got top-end speed with that range. And those are so difficult to find.
"He doesn't drop anything. Range, speed and great ball skills make him a very difficult receiver."
Persistence key for line
Both Louisville coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee credit persistence for the Cards' improving offensive line.
O-line coach Chris Klenakis, McGee said Tuesday, stuck with his plan until it worked, and the line's performances in recent weeks have shown that.
Petrino added that stabilizing the line personnel made a difference, too. Aaron Epps has started at right tackle for the past three games.
"We have been able to keep the same five guys together so we have gotten better in our run blocking," Petrino said. "Some of it is our quarterback is getting the ball out of his hand quicker (and) receivers are getting open a little quicker.
"Everybody has improved a little bit to help us get better on the offensive front."
Senior showcase invites out
Louisville already has four players headed to senior showcase bowls after this season ends. Star linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, which is Jan. 24 in Mobile, Ala. Offensive linemen John Miller and Jamon Brown and running back Dominique Brown have accepted invites to the East-West Shrine Game, which will be played on Jan. 17 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reach U of L beat writer Jeff Greer at (502) 582-4044 and follow him on Twitter (@jeffgreer_cj).