GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Louisville’s defensive line has looked porous so far this season. The Cardinals regained the service of linebacker Dorian Etheridge, last season’s leading tackler, but his presence alone won’t insure success against Georgia Tech’s frustrating offensive scheme. To try to help his front seven, Bobby Petrino and defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder spent time on Georgia Tech’s scheme in the Spring. “We knew it was going to be a Friday night game a long time ago, so we spent some time working hard at it in spring ball,” Petrino said. “We spent some time- and I’m talking about the defense- because the challenge with Georgia Tech is that’s the only offense that you face like that in five years.”
DRAFT SLANT
–WR Jaylen Smith was Louisville’s only preseason All-ACC talent. He returned to school for his senior season after receiving middle-round grades last season, but this season hasn’t started out like he had hoped. Smith had several key drops and Louisville’s offensive woes have cut into his reception numbers. He’s still a 6-foot-4, 225-pound physical specimen, but his draft stock hasn’t been helped thus far.
ROSTER REPORT:
–DE Jonathan Greenard is out after hand surgery
–FB Tobias Little is out for the season with a knee injury suffered in Fall camp.
–LB Dorian Etheridge returned last week after missing two games.
–LB London Iakopo left the WKU game on a stretcher but returned vs. FSU.
–RB Dae Williams suffered a bone bruise on the first play vs. Virginia
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