Wright and Perry: A Perfect Combination
Louisville's dominating performance against Kentucky was keyed by Teddy Bridgewater's accuracy in the passing game. But the Cardinals' rushing attack deserves just as much praise.
Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry brought a running attack on Sunday that fits with Strong's philosophy. Wright rushed for 105 yards and three touchdowns while his counter part Perry rushed for 108 yards and one touchdown.
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"I always say this: if you can run the ball, you're saying that you are more physical than the other team," said Coach Strong. "And that is what is going to win football games."
Having two running backs rush for over a 100 yards and a total of four touchdowns gives the Cardinals a rushing persona the Big East should fear. It is not only the stats from the first game that were impressive, but their running styles fit like a puzzle piece into the Cardinals offense.
"We're [Wright and Perry] just different types of pace backs," Wright said. "We set the pace differently on offense."
Wright is more of the power back, keeping his pads low and driving behind the offensive line. While Perry uses his blistering speed to bounce outside and turn the corner.
Perry's 47-yard touchdown run came from a quick move to the outside, where he sprinted down the Louisville sideline to the roar of the crowd.
"The holes were huge," Perry said. "I was excited to run through them because I didn't expect them to be that big."
Wright, on the other hand, pounded in three scores, two 1-yard runs and a 14-yarder.
When asked how he felt getting three scores, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior responded: "It felt great. I just give all the credit to the O-line. You don't want those guys just out there blocking and not give them something in return. So I just wanted to return the favor for them."
Both backs credited their offensive line. The offensive line was deserving of praise, but starting center Mario Benavides knew those backs needed some love too.
"Jeremy and Senorise were unbelievable," Benavides said. "…those running backs all during camp were breaking long runs, scoring touchdowns, and the offensive line coaches said, 'You just watch, if you do your job, they're going to do the exact same thing in the game.'"
What is even more promising is the relationship between these two backs and the selflessness they portray.
"There's no competition because whoever goes out there and executes, everyone is going to be happy," Perry said. "We know we're all going to play. We're all friends.
The most anticipated Cardinal football season in five years started off the right way Sunday and both Wright and Perry brought a dynamic to Louisville's offense that made Big East coaches take notice.