SPORTS

Cards camp notes: Day 2 morning session

Jeff Greer
@jeffgreer_cj

The second morning session for Louisville contrasted with the first. It was far more intense, and a little bit rockier. At least from my spot on the sideline.

Freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon, who impressed in Tuesday's opening session, was inconsistent throughout the practice. He rifled a perfect 30-yard pass between three defenders on one 11-on-11 play, but the previous two plays he threw two passes two or three yards short of open receivers.

He wasn't the only player with mixed reviews, and the up-and-down nature of the second practice should've been expected. This is the second day of practice for the newcomers on the team, and the playbook is challenging for new players to pick up.

"It's pretty tough with a fast tempo," said freshman receiver Javonte Bagley. "It's nothing like high school."

The second morning session of the August camp looked a lot like the first in terms of drills, with the players starting with their position coaches before moving on to 1-on-1, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods.

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino explained on Monday that the Cardinals will operate on a four-day system during preseason camp. In other words, the first and fifth days will look similar, as well as the second and sixth, third and seventh and fourth and eighth days.

Translation: The installation will be rough at times, particularly the first four days. The staff expected that, especially with the new players.

DAY 2 STANDOUTS

* QB Tyler Ferguson, a transfer from Penn State who is ineligible this fall, made several eye-catching throws on Wednesday, peppering completions other several drills. He especially did well during 1-on-1 receiver routes vs. cornerbacks and in 7-on-7.

* Senior WR Kai De La Cruz, practicing with the new guys, looked like a veteran should against the young'ns. His jab step into a post route sent one defensive back reeling during 1-on-1s, but he translated that success over to 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, snapping up, by my count, six catches. He ran a clean drag route for an easy completion and found a crack between the linebackers and safeties for another nice gain.

* Transfer Josh Harvey-Clemons played safety and nickel back in defensive drills today and once again impressed with his size and speed. The 6-foot-5, 212-pounder did especially well in man coverage.

NOTABLE

* My eyes have betrayed me before and they will again, but by my count today, a few guys switched practices. The player lists all week will be fluid as they finish up summer classes, so there's really nothing to read into it other than that. I did count among the newcomers practice today defensive end Kyle Shortridge, a redshirt freshman, and redshirt sophomore defensive back Kevin Houchins.

* And carrying on that topic, I did not see linebacker Lyn Clark or linebacker/D-lineman Finesse Middleton at the morning practice on Wednesday. They were there on Tuesday. Transfer Pio Vatuvei, a defensive end, will practice this afternoon.

QUOTABLE

"We never raced head-to-head, but I ran the fastest 40. Numbers don't lie. If he wanted to race, we could race. I know I'm the fastest. I ran 4.26, but that's unofficial. He doesn't stop talking. If you ask him for real, he knows. He'll tell you the truth." -- Louisville RB Corvin Lamb when asked if he was really faster than CB Charles Gaines.

INJURY UPDATE

Nothing to report from this morning's session. Freshman tailback LJ Scott is expected to practice this afternoon after tweaking a hamstring during Tuesday's afternoon practice.