This team really proved me wrong.
After Hawkins ripped off that big gainer deep from within Louisville territory on a 3rd and 17 draw play I posted "we deserve to lose". It just seemed like we let them convert huge money down after huge money down. TOP and plays run favored Loserville, and I expected to see a completely gassed and demoralized defense. Well to hell with me! Instead they fought their tails off and made a stop.
Now our offense and our OC. Patenaude is starting to make a believer out of me. That drive before the half had some amazing play calls. The screen to finally get Gibbs in space. The reverse passs by AB to Camp for the score…are you kidding me?!?!? That kind of play has a big effect on a team. A trick play serves to loosen you up, and come the second half it was GT who was out there flying around and having fun, not Louisville.
I was frustrated at Patenaude's calling so many runs up the middle that went nowhere. But you know what? It was Louisville's defense that laid down at the end of the game, not GT's. Those body blows I believe bore fruit. Louisville looked gassed at the end of the game and we were mashing on the gas.
Now yes, if Louisville plays a clean game and protects the ball then they probably win. But we were more disciplined, had fewer turnovers, and were the less penalized team. We stole the game, yes. But we also stepped up and TOOK it. Like FSU, being behind didn't matter. We just kept playing and eventually they were the team that wilted, not us. I thought it was a culture win, and it showed a lot of character.