Louisville HC Jeff Brohm Recaps Pitt and Bye Week, Previews Duke (10/23/23)
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00:00 Well, we're looking forward to getting back on the field this Saturday,
00:04 play in front of our home crowd.
00:06 We'll buy weeks, I never hold on fun when it's happens after a loss,
00:13 but that's life and we gotta live and learn.
00:16 Try to find ways to improve and get better.
00:18 There are plenty of things that we need to do to get better.
00:21 So I think this past week was used to get guys as healthy as we can,
00:26 and that's very important as well, and then to try to identify the weaknesses
00:31 we've had and make sure we're getting better in those areas and improving.
00:35 So I do think, offensively, being more efficient in what we're doing.
00:41 These days, winning the turnover battle is vital to success.
00:47 We saw it in the Notre Dame game, it definitely helped us in the course of
00:49 the Pittsburgh game.
00:50 It hurts that we turned the ball over so much, especially when you play a game
00:55 where you have twice as many first downs as the other team, and
00:58 the turnovers were crucial.
01:00 And it really, really hurt us, so that was unfortunate.
01:05 Defensively, I think we've been playing some good football.
01:10 Of course, this team, last week, they would hit some big plays on us, and
01:14 we do play an aggressive approach.
01:16 So we may give up one or two every now and then, but we gave up too many.
01:19 And the other team was way too efficient on first and
01:22 second down to get the very manageable third downs.
01:25 That hurt us.
01:26 And then on special teams, we missed a kick, which is gonna happen.
01:30 But we've got too many penalties on special teams, so
01:33 we gotta make sure that that gets cleaned up.
01:37 Beyond that, we know we're facing a great Duke team that's lost two quality
01:42 opponents, they're really strong on defense.
01:44 They pride themselves on running the football and
01:47 letting their quarterback be efficient and drive it down, keep the game close.
01:51 And they're well coached, so this is a tough, physical football team.
01:55 They played very, very well this year.
01:58 And in order for us to win, we're gonna have to play our best football.
02:01 So we wanna work hard to improve as the season goes on.
02:06 And if not, then it's not gonna be a fun last stretch.
02:10 So we have to put in the work and prepare and
02:13 take the field game day and continue to still be aggressive.
02:15 [BLANK_AUDIO]
02:20 >> Jeff, you mentioned using the bi-week to get healthy.
02:23 What's the status of Jowar, Renato, and Jarvis?
02:27 >> Well, unfortunately, Renato Brown hurt his knee in pregame warmups.
02:33 Unfortunately, the field is slippery wet.
02:35 I'm not sure if that was some reason, but so he's had surgery.
02:39 He's out for the year.
02:40 We'll try to get him back by the start of next season.
02:45 Jowar, we wanna get him healthy.
02:49 He had a hamstring issue last week.
02:50 We'll see where that goes.
02:53 Jarvis had a foot issue that has flared up on him a little bit.
02:58 We gotta try to get him back to the game field.
03:01 I'm hopeful that we can this week, but we'll see how this week progresses.
03:06 [BLANK_AUDIO]
03:09 >> Jeff, am I correct that maybe you're a little frustrated with some of the calls
03:13 in that Pittsburgh game?
03:14 Do you get any feedback from the league on some of those things?
03:18 I mean, the one interception that looked like we received a response,
03:21 stuff like that.
03:22 >> Well, no, I did not like a lot of the calls.
03:24 It's not the first time that's happened throughout my past, but yeah,
03:29 I thought this game, some of the calls didn't go the way we'd like.
03:34 We've had discussions with the head of the officials and
03:37 gotten productive feedback that we have to adjust and go forward.
03:43 There were a couple calls that really hurt us that I can't comment on what they
03:48 told us in return, but I think some of them were obvious.
03:52 But they missed some, they make some, sometimes they go the way,
03:56 sometimes they don't.
03:57 So we just have to adjust and I know they're doing the best job they can.
04:00 But throwing the ball in some rain conditions,
04:04 I thought there was some questionable calls that hurt us,
04:10 whether we have officials or not.
04:13 We gotta continue to be as productive as we can and
04:16 adjust to whatever's being called.
04:18 >> Yeah, you take the week off, obviously, to get healthy, but
04:23 you also have time to kind of analyze on where you're at.
04:25 Where do you think, after seven games,
04:27 your team is compared to where you thought it would be at this point in the season?
04:31 >> Well, I think that our guys have worked hard, they've competed.
04:35 We've found a way to win close games, to get to where we're at.
04:38 Would we love to have the last one back?
04:40 Sure we would, but at the same time, we've probably won three games by the skin of
04:43 our teeth, and I'm sure the other team would like to have it back as well.
04:46 So we have to be realistic in that approach.
04:48 We played some really good football against Notre Dame that gave us a big win,
04:51 and we didn't follow it up with a great performance.
04:54 You know what, I know it's boring to say, but it's a one game season.
05:00 And if you don't play your best every week in conference play,
05:03 you're not gonna win.
05:04 We see that every week, it happens this week with other teams.
05:07 So I just think identifying our mistakes and what we can get better at,
05:12 and turn over battle is crucial, I just think.
05:16 I'm not for sure, we might have got inside the 30 or
05:19 about four times in the second half and didn't get any points.
05:22 I'm definitely not gonna win in that department.
05:25 Saw a stat yesterday, the Falcons and Desmond Ritter, and
05:28 those guys didn't score inside the red zone three times since the first time you
05:32 won a game since 2000 doing that.
05:35 We definitely had a bad day in that category.
05:39 And then being aggressive on defense,
05:43 trying not to give up too many big plays is important.
05:45 And I just think there's a lot of areas to improve on.
05:49 We gotta get better as coaches,
05:50 make sure we're putting our players in the best position to succeed,
05:54 doing what they do well, helping them have success.
05:58 That adjust and adapts every week, and we just gotta make sure that we continue
06:03 to know the right combination of being aggressive, but yet safe.
06:08 You look at the Notre Dame game, we were aggressive on defense, but
06:11 we were efficient.
06:14 And I wouldn't say overly aggressive on offense, but we took care of the ball,
06:18 we kept us in the game, we made plays when we had to.
06:20 So I just think having that perfect balance is important.
06:24 And within those small details, in football you gotta run the small details,
06:29 and turn over the battle, and throw down conversions, and give it a big play.
06:34 Those are some of the things we need to get better at.
06:38 >> Jeff, what have you seen from Duke, the impressive win over
06:41 Nassau State with a backup quarterback?
06:42 Obviously, Riley Leonard makes them different.
06:44 You don't know whether he's gonna play or not, and their defense is pretty good.
06:49 >> Well, their stat on defense, you look at it right here,
06:51 fifth in scoring defense, second in red zone defense.
06:54 I mean, they're ranked high.
06:58 They play a solid brand of physical football that keeps the ball in front of
07:04 them, they do some really good things up front, running games and
07:10 stunts, and creating some havoc for you, for your offensive line.
07:16 And they've just been very good, I think, until the Florida State game,
07:20 the hardest 24th on them, and they kept that game extremely close to the very end.
07:24 Their offense, they've been efficient, and that's kinda what they're about.
07:27 They've got an experienced quarterback, they run as well.
07:31 They run the football with some physical backs, they get a manageable third downs.
07:36 They try to win in the style they believe in, which is playing great defense and
07:40 solid running game, and taking care of the football.
07:45 So I just think you gotta understand what they're good at,
07:49 you gotta figure out a way to defeat that.
07:52 But they've been very good at this point.
07:53 Darrell Cove, Coach Elko's done a very good job.
07:56 >> How different are they with Leonard though, if he can play it?
07:58 >> Well, without question, they're a different ball team with him.
08:01 He's got a ton of experience, he can throw the ball, but
08:04 yet he's really good running the ball and in the run game as well.
08:08 Efficient getting the ball to his receivers, Matt Turner to oversight.
08:13 Without question, his experience factor back there,
08:17 his ability to execute the offense, gives them a high level
08:24 of expertise that position really needs and he's a really good quarterback.
08:29 >> So kind of going back to the loss to fit, maybe benefits not the right word,
08:34 but to have a bye week after the first loss of the season.
08:37 How's it make it easier for
08:38 you guys to hold in on some other things with that extra time?
08:42 >> Well, like I said, it's good to get guys fresh, it's good to get guys refocused.
08:47 It's good to kind of understand that you give them a week,
08:51 you can lose if you don't get ready to play, so that part's good.
08:55 As far as enjoying the bye week, it's not that good,
08:59 because we had a loss that was not fun.
09:02 But you identify things when you lose, you realize you better get
09:08 back to paying attention to details and being extremely efficient in our preparation,
09:14 but also the execution of it on game day.
09:16 And I thought the first half, every time they scored,
09:23 we responded, went in with a 20.14 lead, and
09:27 unfortunately didn't perform well in the second half.
09:29 So we just gotta look at that and make sure we're doing whatever we can as coaches
09:33 to help out, and then of course, we get to the, at that point,
09:38 the execution has to be better and just really the turnover service in the second half.
09:44 >> Kind of going off of that, obviously there was a big high of just being six and
09:47 O, beating Notre Dame, going, starting off conference play really well.
09:52 What do you feel like the guys have learned in this amount of time, or
09:54 what differences have you seen in them in terms of kind of trying to get this thing
09:58 back on the winning side?
10:00 >> Well, I think they were as disappointed as all of us in the loss,
10:04 and I'm pretty sure it hurt them pretty much, which it should.
10:11 And I think they care.
10:12 So the issue is we gotta get refocused and dialed back in.
10:16 We gotta realize that we're playing some good football teams,
10:20 that these games mean a lot each and every week.
10:24 And while we got off to a good start, it means nothing.
10:29 Really, you're judged on how you do at the end of the year.
10:31 So we've had some tough battles that we've found ways to win close games,
10:37 and I guarantee you we're gonna have more.
10:39 So we've gotta make sure we dig deep as coaches and
10:43 players and find a way to win all the close games we play.
10:46 >> There was a story this weekend that quoted Open Door as saying the average
10:53 starter in big time football is making $103,000 from NIA.
10:58 Do you think that's accurate?
11:00 And if so, do you think Lewin was competitive at that level?
11:05 >> Well, those are details I'm not for sure on.
11:08 Obviously, NIL has become a big part of football.
11:12 So I'm all for players benefiting as much as they can.
11:19 And I think our university does a good job of competing in that department.
11:25 And I think we're positioned to move forward each and every year.
11:30 >> You guys have been good on third down defense.
11:33 Is there something specific that sparked that success so far this season?
11:37 >> Well, I think we have been aggressive in our approach, and
11:40 that part has been good.
11:41 And I think once you do that a lot,
11:45 you've gotta understand that people are gonna study you and what you do.
11:49 And you have to make sure you have enough safe calls as well that you're able to
11:52 mix in.
11:53 So we've done some really good things.
11:57 The past game, we got beat over our head a lot more than we had in the past.
12:02 So obviously, you gotta fix those or dial some things back or
12:08 be a little more creative in our approach with that.
12:10 But we do wanna err on being aggressive.
12:12 But we have some things to shore up to make sure that we're
12:16 not being obvious in our tendencies.
12:21 Because in the end, we wanna give up as few points as we can.
12:27 >> Jeff, without Bernardo, Austin moved in there to the pit game.
12:30 I think he had played quite a bit of stats against Notre Dame.
12:34 How do you look at that rotation now?
12:35 And do you try to get someone else kind of in the mix behind them?
12:39 I know you had said you don't want all five to play the whole game.
12:42 >> Well, I think Renardo did a really good job.
12:45 He's got a really bright future.
12:47 It's unfortunate what he had happen in the pregame warm-ups, but it did.
12:52 So he's been in better spirits now after the surgery.
12:55 And he knows he's gotta rehab and get better.
12:58 I think Austin has worked hard.
13:00 He knows his number's called now.
13:01 He's gotta get in there and not only be a guard, but a backup snapper for us.
13:05 Brian's been battling through injuries as well.
13:09 Hopefully get him more healthy for this next game.
13:11 And we have guys that are close to going in.
13:16 And we've gotta figure out ways to make sure that whether we're getting them in
13:21 the game and playing six, seven, eight guys, or
13:24 whether they're extremely close and we need to put them in.
13:27 And that's kind of been what we're trying to balance,
13:30 is making sure we have our best guys out there for every series.
13:33 Every series is vital to success and scoring points.
13:35 But we also wanna continue to build the depth in a proper way
13:42 while still trying to win the game.
13:46 >> Okay, go ahead.
13:47 >> Jeff, is Juwar, did he practice?
13:49 Was he in treatment all week?
13:51 I mean, what kind of, you have a percentage of the likelihood of him being available?
13:55 >> Well, some of those guys, they're doing work on the side rehab wise and
14:00 trying to crank up the running speed, crank up the velocity so
14:04 that they feel comfortable.
14:05 So with him, as far as football practice, no, we did not practice last week.
14:10 But he did some strong rehab work on the side, on the field.
14:16 That continued yesterday.
14:18 They will gauge where he's at this week.
14:20 I'm always hopeful that we can get him back.
14:23 But until I see him practice football in a normal setting, I won't be able to tell you.
14:30 >> In addition to having a guy get time off, I'm sure you look at Phil and stuff.
14:34 Have you considered making any personnel changes at all in your lineup?
14:40 >> Well, we always look at our personnel and
14:43 try to play the best guy who can to help us win.
14:46 I think, Yes, we've looked at it.
14:52 I don't see any major changes happening here soon.
14:56 We're really always trying to play more guys and build depth.
15:02 But at the same time, those guys are ready to go and
15:06 very dependable and we can trust them to make plays.
15:09 These guys care, but I don't see any major changes in the personnel department.
15:16 >> Last one.
15:17 Jeff, at what point do you, with the three home games coming up,
15:20 what the schedule is, you're in the mix in this ACC race.
15:23 Do you start talking about that with the team?
15:25 Do you focus, is it too early?
15:28 >> You know what, I don't spend a whole lot of time talking about
15:30 what the end result could be at the end.
15:35 Now, we understand, we talk about that we have a lot of goals ahead of us that we
15:41 need to work hard to accomplish.
15:44 Obviously, when you lose, the chances of getting those get less and less.
15:47 I think we put ourselves in a good position now that we can find ways to
15:54 improve and finish strong, and maybe good things happen at the end.
15:59 For us, if we can just put all our focus on Duke and
16:03 making sure we're getting prepared to play, because we're gonna need to, and
16:07 figure out a way to come out with a win, then you get closer to your goals.
16:12 But if you can't win this next game,
16:14 then obviously, then you gotta regroup and just fight battles the next one.
16:19 >> Thank you.
16:21 >> Thank you.