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And in the most damaging blow of all, head coach John L. Smith jumped to Michigan State ... and then lobbed a few shots at Cardinal fans' lack of understanding of the school's place in the college football food chain. So what's stopping the Cardinals from a significant fall this season? Because athletics director Tom Jurich moved quickly to replace Smith with former Auburn offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Folks in Louisville remember the good work Petrino did with Chris Redman and the Cardinals offense in 1998. And they were dazzled when Petrino signed high school All-American Michael Bush, who would not have signed with Louisville if Smith had remained the coach. "I'm pleased and excited," Petrino says. "We've got some work to do, but there are a lot of nice pieces to build with." OFFENSIVE KEYS: If Cardinals fans have one reason to forgive Smith, it is this: Former assistant Petrino has taken the job, and he may possess a more imaginative offensive mind.The new coach must pick a quarterback. Stefan LeFors is the only player with game experience. He will be pushed by Justin Rascati, a former Florida all-stater who excelled on the scout team last season. But Bush, from Male High School in Louisville, didn't turn down scholarships at Ohio State, Tennessee and other programs to carry a clipboard. The running game will be more powerful. Bruising Eric Shelton, a transfer from Florida State, gives Louisville the between-the-tackles strength it was missing last season. Lionel Gates and T.J. Patterson will have another chance to fulfill their potential. Petrino believes the receiving corps will become the team's strength. Ronnie Ghent was leading the nation's tight ends in receptions when he went down with a knee injury. J.R. Russell is a deep threat, and Joshua Tinch loves to take on defensive backs over the middle. DEFENSIVE KEYS: There's even more work to do here. The Cardinals lose sack-master Dewayne White as they shift to a more traditional 4-3 alignment. The new playmakers up front will be Bobby Leffew, Montavious Stanley and Tyrone Saterfield. Leffew, a former Freshman All-American, will line up at end and tackle.Linebacker Robert McCune is a ferocious hitter and sure tackler. Rod Day and James Greene can also run. What Louisville really needs is a playmaker in the defensive backfield. Three years ago the Cardinals were among the national leaders in turnover margin. Last season this team intercepted just nine passes, two by its starting cornerbacks. Josh Minkins returns to play the corners, but two-year starter Laroni Gallishaw was dismissed by Petrino during the summer. SPECIAL TEAMS: Placekicker Nate Smith has a powerful but inconsistent leg. He's dependable inside the 30, but a mystery beyond that point. Smith and Wade Tydlacka also must improve the punting game.The Cards excel on returning kicks. Broderick Clark, who averaged nearly 29 yards per kick return, is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. FINAL ANALYSIS: Petrino is respected as one of the game's best offensive innovators. He should eliminate the silly penalties that hurt the Cards last season. Shelton's arrival should solidify the running game, but the coach will have to make a quick decision at quarterback, where the Cards have little experience. Defensively, Louisville also has several holes to fix.Defense was supposed to be a strength last season, but the Cards gave up more than 30 points four times and held just one team (Duke) to single digits. They must improve against the run and the pass. • Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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