SPORTS

Mauldin: Getting 1st stop will be key

Steve Jones
@stevejones_cj

University of Louisville outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, in no uncertain terms, said that how the Cardinals' defense responds at the start of the game will be key to how they fare in the hostile environment at Clemson on Saturday.

David Lee Hartlage, Special to the C-J
UofL's Lorenzo Mauldin (94) celebrates his sack of Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford on Saturday at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. UofL's Lorenzo Mauldin (94) celebrates his sack of Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford on Saturday at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. (By David Lee Hartlage, Special to the C-J) Sept. 27, 2014.

"I just know that if we get the first stop in the game, we're going to win that game," he said after Wednesday's practice. "Because we as a defense know that (by getting) the first three-and-out, we're in their heads already. We know that if we play with a confident defense, pretty much the game is ours."

Grantham: Death Valley 'an awesome place'

U of L defensive coordinator Todd Grantham knows the Clemson road environment well, having been on the sideline with Georgia's staff when the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 38-35 in the 2013 season opener.

"It's an awesome place," he said. "I think their fans are very passionate about their football. They're loud and very supportive of their team. It's why you come to college; it's why you play. It's our chance to be in front of a very vocal, hostile crowd and go play. I think it's fun. It's why you work. It's why you prepare."

Quick kicks:

**Senior safety Jermaine Reve, who's missed the whole season with a knee injury, is back and practicing and may be used this week if he responds well to increased reps the next two days, Grantham said. Reve can also play cornerback.

"Hopefully we can mix him in there a little bit," the coach said. "He's a guy that can give us some versatility in the back end."

**Grantham, the former UGA assistant, knows Clemson freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson from his days as a player at Gainesville (Ga.) High School.

"I think he's an awesome young man," Grantham said. "He's got all the characteristics you look for in a quarterback. … I've got a great amount of respect for him."