Scott hit the groundrunning for Cardinals
When L.J. Scott arrived at the University of Louisville in January as an early enrollee, he figured that he might have to redshirt as a freshman football player.
After all, veteran running backs Michael Dyer and Dominique Brown were ahead of him on the depth chart. But Scott made a good impression, and an injury to Dyer opened the door for the freshman.
Last week he burst right through it. Scott earned Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie Player of the Week honors after rushing 11 times for 126 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 66-21 victory over Murray State.
"I came in ready to compete, to show the new staff what I'm capable of doing," he said. "For me to do what I did in my second game — what I consider my college debut — I was surprised."
U of L offensive coordinator Garrick McGee wasn't.
"We've been in love with L.J. since the first day we got here," he said of the 6-foot, 231-pound Scott. "You couldn't tell that he was a freshman that enrolled early. He's mature. He's very strong and powerful. He understands how to handle himself on a college campus. We always thought he would have a lot of success."
Scott, from Marion, Ohio, was a three-star recruit, according to Rivals.com. He said he wears No. 27 because one of his favorite players growing up was Ohio State alum and 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, who went on to star in the NFL.
Scott models his running style after George's.
"I got to watch Eddie George play," he said. "That's probably why I'm such a downhill runner. I saw how he played at his size."
Turnovers on the mind
On Saturday U of L will face a Virginia team that is tied for second in the FBS in turnovers forced with nine (six fumble recoveries and three interceptions). The Cavaliers collected seven of those turnovers in last week's 45-13 victory over FCS Richmond.
"They have two of the best pass rushers that we've seen," McGee said, referring to Max Valles and Eli Harold. "They're both tall and long. They're very explosive off the ball. They've been able to get to the quarterback and knock the ball loose. That's why they have so many turnovers."
Valles is tied for 10th in the nation with 3½ sacks.
U of L has lost only two fumbles and hasn't thrown an interception. McGee said the Cardinals will stress ball security, as they do before every game.
"It's definitely an emphasis, but it is all the time for us," he said. "The way that you win games is to not beat yourself. The way you beat yourself is to turn the ball over."
— Michael Grant