Louisville hasn’t had time to feel sorry for itself after its 46-23 season-opening loss to Ole Miss.
In some ways, that’s a good thing.
The Cardinals didn’t leave Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlantauntil well after midnight on Tuesday morning and got right back to work just hours later. Louisville couldn’t take a day offeven if it wanted to, because its next gameagainst Eastern Kentucky on Saturdaywas only four days away.
Three games in 12 days is the early scheduling setup Louisville signed up for, but it doesn’t make it any easier to navigate.
"The fact that it was a game going on at midnight and you have to play five days later, it's hard to spin that into a positive way because our guys are tired," coach Scott Satterfield said. "But they are anxious to get this taste out of their mouth and prove they are a good football team that can play with elite teams this season."
Still, after a loss like Monday’s, getting right back on the field is a good thing Satterfield and safety Kenderick Duncan said.
"It’s good we have this quick turnaround so we are able to get those thoughts out of our head and play against another opponent, fix the problems we had against Ole Miss and go 1-0 this week," Duncan said.
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The Cardinals landed back in Louisville about 4 a.m. Tuesday.Disappointed in its opening performance, on national T.V.nonetheless, Satterfield saw a fire in his team when they got back in the facility just a few hours after the plane landed.
After a long night then Tuesday'sclasses,the team was back preparing for an Eastern Kentucky team that beat Western Carolina 31-28 in its first game. And because of the quick turnaround, the entire practice week was different for the Cardinals.
Tuesday became an extended Sunday practice that included film study of Monday’s loss and practice. Instead of a normal day off after the film study, Louisville went right back to practice on Wednesday.
"We’re back on schedule now but it’s very condensed," Satterfield said. "It’s hard to relay that to your players. You have to keep itsimplefor sure as we head into thisweek."
In order to keep his players fresh, Satterfield said the team didn’t hit at all in Wednesday’s practice. The team has some bumps and bruises, Duncan said, but the only player ruled out of Saturday’s gameis wide receiver Shai Werts after an injury in Monday’s game.
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While it’s important to game plan for Saturday, Louisville has had to juggle its players' health and energy over long, grueling practices.
"I want our guys toplay fast and physical, you want them fresh so the best thing to do is not go as long and not to hit," Satterfield said.
Duncan said the players have put in extra work to make sure their bodies are prepared for the quick turnaround.
"We have been doing things outside of practice with our strength staff, taking care of our bodies. We are doing those little things to make sure our bodies are fresh and good to go," Duncan said.
When he interacts with the team, and especially his defensive teammates, he doesn’t sense any players still dejected by the opening loss. Oftentimes, a loss like that, especially with season-opening anticipation, can weigh on people longer, but Duncan said the team has moved on.
"I do feel like after watching film and coming together as a group we did put that game behind," he said. "I’m not going to say we sat here and forgot about that feeling of losing, because that’s not what we wanted to do but we have that thought of what happened. Now we have an extra edge to play Saturday and just go win this week."
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As for the defense, which gave up 43 points and 569 total yards, the swagger so many saw in the offseason is still there, Duncan said. One loss hasn’t taken their confidence.
"We know what we are capable of and the things we can do. We can’t let this game define us in a way," Duncan said. "... The first practice we got back was about making sure we go out there with that swagger and that energy and that mindset that we are still top dogs. All we can do is get better and play like we are the top dogs every week."
Louisville is expected to be “top dogs” on Saturday against its FCS in-state opponent. Still, Louisville is only halfway through its grueling three-week opening schedule.
Louisville likely won’t leave the facility until after midnight on Saturday, again. Then another shortened week with Central Florida awaits.
Cameron Teague RobinsonCTeagueRob@gannett.com;Twitter: @cj_teague;
