Conservative offense new to Petrino
The trends pointed in this direction through the first six weeks of the season, but they came to a head at University of Louisville coach Bobby Petrino's weekly press conference.
Unlike many expected when the season began, the Cardinals have won games with a powerful rushing attack and stout defense. Those tenets don't exactly align with the high-powered, big-play offenses for which Petrino is known.
And by Monday, Petrino seemed to come to terms with that.
"We're not explosive," he said. "We're not a team that's going to go out there and rack up 700 yards. We're working to try to find a way to win the game, which is new for me.
"I haven't been in this type of situation, where you're real strong on defense and offensively you're working just to make sure you score enough points to win."
It's unfamiliar territory for a coach whose offenses ranked in the top 30 in the country in scoring and total offense in his final three seasons at Arkansas.
This year, Louisville's 88th in total offense and 53rd in scoring. The Cardinals rank 76th in the country in rushing and 67th in passing. They are 54th in the nation in passing plays for 10 or more yards.
Instead, what has won Louisville five of its six games is its elite defensive numbers and four 100-yard rushers in six contests. That the Cards are 25 of 27 in red-zone conversions, with 20 touchdowns, certainly helps, too.
On defense, Louisville ranks first in the nation in rushing and total defense, sixth in takeaways and scoring defense and 13th in passing defense.
The shift in strengths prompted a shift in Petrino's mind.
"You have to be a little more conservative (on offense) and not hurt our defensive play," Petrino said.
"That's what's new to me — we understand that our strength is on defense. We have to drive the ball, wear them down and get the ball in the end zone, and then win the game in the fourth quarter."
The changes have been uncomfortable for Petrino — and for a fan base that so desperately wanted Louisville to return to its high-flying offensive ways after four years of Charlie Strong's defense-first approach.
But, Petrino said, inexperience at the quarterback position and struggling pass protection have made that return to the offensive powerhouse days rather difficult.
Louisville ranks 119th out of 128 FBS teams in sacks and tackles for loss allowed and 112th in turnovers lost.
There's significant hope that a healthy DeVante Parker, Louisville's star receiver who returned this week from a foot fracture that kept him out for six weeks, can provide some much-needed fireworks for the Cards' offense.
The emergence of redshirt sophomore running back Brandon Radcliff could prove pivotal, too. He's run for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns in two consecutive weeks.
Those two factors, paired with the improved play of freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon and/or the return of regular starting quarterback Will Gardner, could ease the recent concerns.
"It's hard to win games," Petrino said. "The competitiveness throughout the country has really tightened up. Each week you have to go and prepare."
Don't mistake his tinkering, or frustration with elements of his offense, for complete dissatisfaction, Petrino added. His team is still 5-1, and when asked if it felt that way on Monday, Petrino laughed.
"Heck yeah," he said. "It's been a battle but we've really done a good job of finding ways to win the game in the fourth quarter."
It's just not the way anyone expected Louisville to win.
"We are what we are," Petrino said. "It's new for me. It's not something I'm used to – not being able to go out and just call plays freely and throw the ball deep – but we're not really there yet."
Reach U of L beat writer Jeff Greer at (502) 582-4044 and follow him on Twitter (@jeffgreer_cj).