Total Defense
Louisville’s Defense under Satterfield has been well below par compared to other Cardinal Football teams in this program’s history. In 2020, the Cards actually came close to what fans have become accustomed to in terms of yards per game allowed, but still well below what we’ve seen this program do on the defensive side of the ball in the last 40 years.
| Total Defense | |
| 1 | 235.8 (1996 Cooper) |
| 2 | 237.9 (1990 Schnellenberger) |
| 3 | 251.5, 1st (2013 Strong) |
| 4 | 278.83 (2000 John L.) |
| 5 | 294.4, 12th (2004 Petrino) |
| 6 | 297.9 (1989 Schnellenberger) |
| 7 | 308.5, 6th (2014 Petrino) |
| 8 | 309.2 (1993 Schnellenberger) |
| 9 | 311.7, 14th (2010 Strong) |
| 10 | 312.5 (2001 John L.) |
| 11 | 319.2 (1995 Cooper) |
| 12 | 319.9 (2002 John L.) |
| 13 | 320.5, 37th (2006 Petrino) |
| 14 | 322.2, 14th (2016 Petrino) |
| 15 | 324.0, 21st (2005 Petrino) |
| 16 | 327.9, 23rd (2011 Strong) |
| 17 | 332.8, 18th (2015 Petrino) |
| 18 | 340.3, 23rd (2012 Strong) |
| 19 | 348.8 (1991 Schnellenberger) |
| 20 | 350.7 (1994 Schnellenberger) |
| 21 | 353.6 (1992 Schnellenberger) |
| 22 | 359.4 (1999 John L.) |
| 23 | 368.8, 70th (2008 Krag) |
| 24 | 369.1, 39th (2020 Satterfield) |
| 25 | 371.1, 65th (2009 Krag) |
| 26 | 378.0 (1986 Schnellenberger) |
| 27 | 381.0 (1988 Schnellenberger) |
| 28 | 388.1, 62nd (2017 Petrino) |
| 29 | 401.3, 83rd (2021 Satterfield) |
| 30 | 414.6, 82nd (2003 Petrino) |
| 31 | 422.7 (1997 Cooper) |
| 32 | 428.5 (1987 Schnellenberger) |
| 33 | 429.7, 91st (2007 Krag) |
| 34 | 439.9, 102nd (2019 Satterfield) |
| 35 | 440.6 (1998 John L.) |
| 36 | 483.5, 122nd (2018 Petrino) |
| 37 | 503.7 (1985 Schnellenberger) |
Scoring Defense
The story is no different on the scoring side of the ball. The numbers mirror similar results from yards per game to points per game. Keeping the opponent off the board has been an issue… and the Cards have outgained several opponents during Satterfield’s tenure only to lose a good number of those games.
| Scoring Defense | |
| 1 | 11.8 (1990 Schnellenberger) |
| 2 | 12.2, 2nd (2013 Strong) |
| 3 | 15.0 (1995 Cooper) |
| 4 | 16.3, 16th (2006 Petrino) |
| 5 | 16.4 (2001 John L.) |
| 6 | 18.6 (1996 Cooper) |
| 7 | 19.4, 18th (2010 Strong) |
| 8 | 19.7, 24th (2004 Petrino) |
| 8 | 19.7 (1993 Schnellenberger) |
| 10 | 20.1, 17th (2011 Strong) |
| 11 | 20.2 (1989 Schnellenberger) |
| 12 | 20.5 (2000 John L.) |
| 13 | 21.8, 24th (2014 Petrino) |
| 14 | 22.1 (1992 Schnellenberger) |
| 15 | 22.3 (1988 Schnellenberger) |
| 16 | 23.0 (1994 Schnellenberger) |
| 17 | 23.8, 31st (2016 Petrino) |
| 18 | 23.8, 41st (2005 Petrino) |
| 18 | 23.8, 36th (2012 Strong) |
| 20 | 24.1, 39th (2015 Petrino) |
| 21 | 24.5, (2002 John L.) |
| 22 | 26.0, 61st (2003 Petrino) |
| 23 | 26.3, 65th (2009 Krag) |
| 24 | 26.6, 49th (2020 Satterfield) |
| 25 | 27.3, 77th (2021 Satterfield) |
| 26 | 27.4, 70th (2017 Petrino) |
| 26 | 27.6 (1999 John L.) |
| 28 | 27.6 (1986 Schnellenberger) |
| 29 | 29.8, 89th (2008 Krag) |
| 30 | 30.5 (1991 Schnellenberger) |
| 31 | 31.6 (1987 Schnellenberger) |
| 32 | 32.3 (1998 John L.) |
| 33 | 33.4, 99th (2007 Krag) |
| 34 | 33.4, 110th (2019 Satterfield) |
| 35 | 37.0 (1997 Cooper) |
| 36 | 39.0 (1985 Schnellenberger) |
| 37 | 44.1, 128th (2018 Petrino) |
Passing Defense
In 2020 the Cards did a nice job of limiting opponents through the air. But 2019 and 2021 the Cards fell well short of previous Louisville Football teams.
| Passing Defense | |
| 1 | 132.73 (1991 Schnellenberger) |
| 2 | 136.8 (1990 Schnellenberger) |
| 3 | 154.7 (1996 Cooper) |
| 4 | 167.3 (1986 Schnellenberger) |
| 5 | 167.4, 9th (2010 Strong) |
| 6 | 170.8, 5th (2013 Strong) |
| 7 | 184.0 (2001 John L.) |
| 8 | 185.8 (1993 Schnellenberger) |
| 9 | 189.2, 17th (2020 Satterfield) |
| 10 | 189.6 (1994 Schnellenberger) |
| 11 | 190.0 (1987 Schnellenberger) |
| 12 | 192.3, 17th (2012 Strong) |
| 13 | 193.6 (1995 Cooper) |
| 14 | 196.9, 26th (2004 Petrino) |
| 15 | 198.1 (1989 Schnellenberger) |
| 16 | 199.6, 27th (2014 Petrino) |
| 17 | 205.6, (2000 John L.) |
| 18 | 206.0, 42nd (2009 Krag) |
| 19 | 206.3, 40th (2018 Petrino) |
| 20 | 206.8 (1999 John L.) |
| 21 | 206.9 (2002 John L.) |
| 22 | 207.1, 37th (2016 Petrino) |
| 23 | 210.0, 43rd (2005 Petrino) |
| 24 | 212.5, 51st (2015 Petrino) |
| 25 | 213.4 (1988 Schnellenberger) |
| 26 | 215.7, 78th (2006 Petrino) |
| 27 | 219.8 (1992 Schnellenberger) |
| 28 | 221.8 (1998 John L.) |
| 29 | 223.8 (1985 Schnellenberger) |
| 30 | 224.7, 66th (2017 Petrino) |
| 31 | 227.4, 68th (2011 Strong) |
| 32 | 234.2, 79th (2019 Satterfield) |
| 33 | 235.5 (1997 Cooper) |
| 34 | 239.3, 93rd (2008 Krag) |
| 35 | 244.6, 94th (2021 Satterfield) |
| 36 | 248.5, 89th (2003 Petrino) |
| 37 | 261.2, 100th (2007 Krag) |
Rushing Defense
It’s been a big improvement from 2018 when Satterfield took over in terms of stopping the run. Louisville has made steady progress towards respectability in stopping the run. If the trend continues, perhaps maybe the Cards can start to really make progress in all other areas.
| – | Rushing Defense |
| 1 | 73.25 (2000 John L.) |
| 2 | 80.69, 1st (2013 Strong) |
| 3 | 81.1 (1996 Cooper) |
| 4 | 97.5, 8th (2004 Petrino) |
| 5 | 99.82 (1989 Schnellenberger) |
| 6 | 100.54, 10th (2011 Strong) |
| 7 | 101.17 (1990 Schnellenberger) |
| 8 | 104.8, 18th (2006 Petrino) |
| 9 | 108.92, 10th (2014 Petrino) |
| 10 | 113.0 (2002 John L.) |
| 11 | 114.0, 23rd (2005 Petrino) |
| 12 | 115.15, 12th (2016 Petrino) |
| 13 | 120.23, 14th (2015 Petrino) |
| 14 | 123.3 (1993 Schnellenberger) |
| 15 | 125.5 (1995 Schnellenberger) |
| 16 | 128.5 (2001 John L.) |
| 17 | 129.5, 37th (2008 Krag) |
| 18 | 133.8 (1992 Schnellenberger) |
| 19 | 144.31, 52nd (2010 Strong) |
| 20 | 148.0, 49th (2012 Strong) |
| 21 | 152.7 (1999 John L.) |
| 22 | 156.69, 73rd (2021 Satterfield) |
| 23 | 161.2 (1994 Schnellenberger) |
| 24 | 163.38, 63rd (2017 Petrino) |
| 25 | 165.08, 84th (2009 Krag) |
| 26 | 166.1, 71st (2003 Petrino) |
| 27 | 167.64 (1988 Schnellenberger) |
| 28 | 168.5, 71st (2007 Krag) |
| 29 | 179.91, 80th (2020 Satterfield) |
| 30 | 187.3 (1997 Cooper) |
| 31 | 205.77, 112th (2019 Satterfield) |
| 32 | 210.73 (1986 Schnellenberger) |
| 33 | 216.1 (1991 Schnellenberger) |
| 34 | 218.8 (1998 John L.) |
| 35 | 238.55 (1987 Schnellenberger) |
| 36 | 277.25, 127th (2018 Petrino) |
| 37 | 279.91, (1985 Schnellenberger) |
1st Downs Allowed
The big problem Louisville has had during Satt’s time here has been limiting an opponent’s 1st downs. In 2020 the Cards did a really nice job….. but that wasn’t the case in 2019 or 2021.
| Opponent 1st Downs | |
| 1 | 14.1, 1st (2013 Strong) |
| 2 | 15.2, NA (2004 Petrino) |
| 3 | 15.3, 4th (2014 Petrino) |
| 4 | 15.7, 20th (2006 Petrino) |
| 5 | 16.9, 12th (2010 Strong) |
| 6 | 17.5, 16th (2016 Petrino) |
| 7 | 17.5, 18th (2015 Petrino) |
| 8 | 17.7, 24th (2011 Strong) |
| 9 | 17.8, 45th (2008 Krag) |
| 10 | 18.2, 21st (2012 Strong) |
| 11 | 18.2, 21st (2020 Satterfield) |
| 12 | 18.8, 33rd (2005 Petrino) |
| 13 | 18.9, 52nd (2009 Krag) |
| 14 | 20.5, 70th (2017 Petrino) |
| 15 | 21.5, 73rd (2007 Krag) |
| 16 | 22.0, 91st (2019 Satterfield) |
| 17 | 22.2, 95th (2021 Satterfield) |
| 18 | 22.9, 98th (2003 Petrino) |
| 19 | 23.3, 109th (2018 Petrino) |
Opponent 3rd Down %
Louisville has been a consistent performer on 3rd down…… but in the middle nationally at 54th-61st. Getting 3rd down stops is critical to playing winning football. Especially getting the 3rd down stops you really need.
| Opp 3rd Down Conv % | |
| 1 | 26.74%, 1st (2013 Strong) |
| 2 | 30.56%, 11th (2006 Petrino) |
| 3 | 31.53%, 10th (2016 Petrino) |
| 4 | 31.79%, 10th (2014 Petrino) |
| 5 | 33.68%, 23rd (2004 Petrino) |
| 6 | 34.09%, 13th (2010 Strong) |
| 7 | 35.32% 35th (2015 Petrino) |
| 8 | 36.21%, 38th (2005 Petrino) |
| 9 | 37.27%, 48th (2008 Krag) |
| 10 | 38.14%, 49th (2011 Strong) |
| 11 | 38.15% , 54th (2019 Satterfield) |
| 12 | 38.42%, 61st (2021 Satterfield) |
| 13 | 38.46%, 54th (2007 Krag) |
| 14 | 39.86%, 57th (2020 Satterfield) |
| 15 | 40.27%, 77th (2009 Krag) |
| 16 | 41.34%, 87th (2017 Petrino) |
| 17 | 41.67%, 76th (2012 Strong) |
| 18 | 43.37%, 94th (2003 Petrino) |
| 19 | 51.85%, 130th (2018 Petrino) |
Opponent Red Zone %
Louisville fell off in the Red Zone in 2021. If an opponent made the Red Zone last year…. they scored. That MUST change in 2022.
| Opp Red Zone Conv % | |
| 1 | 68.42%, 5th (2013 Strong) |
| 2 | 68.75%, 14th (2006 Petrino) |
| 3 | 76.92%, 26th (2014 Petrino) |
| 4 | 77.42%, 30th (2010 Strong) |
| 5 | 77.5%, 33rd (2008 Krag) |
| 6 | 77.78%, NA (2004 Petrino) |
| 7 | 78.38%, 40th (2005 Petrino) |
| 8 | 80.56%, 54th (2011 Strong) |
| 9 | 80.95%, 61st (2007 Krag) |
| 10 | 82.35%, 56th (2015 Petrino) |
| 11 | 82.76%, 68th (2003 Petrino) |
| 12 | 82.93%, 57th (2020 Satterfield) |
| 13 | 84.31%, 71st (2019 Satterfield) |
| 14 | 85.71%, 90th (2012 Strong) |
| 15 | 87.18%, 97th (2017 Petrino) |
| 16 | 87.23%, 99th (2009 Krag) |
| 17 | 88.14%, 103rd (2018 Petrino) |
| 18 | 88.57%, 96th (2016 Petrino) |
| 19 | 89.80%, 110th (2021 Satterfield) |
Opponent Red Zone TD %
Preventing TDs in the Red Zone is the same issue. Louisville simply must force more FG attempts or get takeaways inside the Red Zone.
| Opponent Red Zone TD % | |
| 1 | 41.03%, 4th (2014 Petrino) |
| 2 | 47.37%, 7th (2013 Strong) |
| 3 | 54.84%, 38th (2010 Strong) |
| 4 | 55.00%, 40th (2008 Krag) |
| 5 | 55.56%, 36th (2011 Strong) |
| 6 | 55.88%, 41st (2015 Petrino) |
| 7 | 57.45%, 61st (2009 Krag) |
| 8 | 60.98%, 57th (2020 Satterfield) |
| 9 | 62.86%, 81st (2016 Petrino) |
| 10 | 65.31%, 99th (2021 Satterfield) |
| 11 | 66.67%, 98th (2012 Strong) |
| 12 | 74.36%, 124th (2017 Petrino) |
| 13 | 74.51%, 126th (2019 Satterfield) |
| 14 | 74.58%, 119th (2018 Petrino) |
Opponent Red Zone Trips
WAY TOO MANY TRIPS IN THE RED ZONE.
| Opponent Red Zone Trips | |
| 1 | 31, 7th (2010 Strong) |
| 2 | 34, 7th (2015 Petrino) |
| 3 | 35, 10th (2016 Petrino) |
| 4 | 36, 16th (2011 Strong) |
| 5 | 38, 13th (2013 Strong) |
| 6 | 39, 22nd (2014 Petrino) |
| 6 | 39, 28th (2017 Petrino) |
| 8 | 40, 35th (2008 Krag) |
| 9 | 41, 91st (2020 Satterfield)* |
| 10 | 42, 28th (2012 Strong) |
| 11 | 47, 69th (2009 Krag) |
| 12 | 49, 82nd (2021 Satterfield) |
| 13 | 51, 92nd (2019 Satterfield) |
| 14 | 59, 122nd (2018 Petrino) |
Sacks
Some good news defensively has been Louisville’s increased production getting to the QB. There is plenty of talk going into 2022 that this season will be better than a really improved 2021.
| Sacks | |
| 1 | 3.7, 3rd (2005 Petrino) |
| 2 | 3.31, 1st (2013 Strong) |
| 3 | 3.3, 2nd (2006 Petrino) |
| 4 | 3.15, 10th (2014 Petrino) |
| 5 | 2.92, 7th (2010 Strong) |
| 6 | 2.92, 9th (2015 Petrino) |
| 7 | 2.54, 19th (2011 Strong) |
| 8 | 2.54, 46th (2021 Satterfield) |
| 9 | 2.50, 33rd (2004 Petrino) |
| 10 | 2.31, 45th (2016 Petrino) |
| 11 | 2.08, 62nd (2017 Petrino) |
| 12 | 2.08, 69th (2019 Satterfield) |
| 13 | 2.0, 59th (2003 Petrino) |
| 14 | 1.92, 60th (2009 Krag) |
| 15 | 1.91, 82nd (2020 Satterfield) |
| 16 | 1.69, 80th (2012 Strong) |
| 17 | 1.60, 88th (2007 Krag) |
| 18 | 1.17, 106th (2008 Krag) |
| 19 | 0.92, 126th (2018 Petrino) |
TFLs
The Cards have been squarely in the middle nationally getting TFLs. Time to ramp up that production.
| Tackles for Loss | |
| 1 | 7.85, 6th (2013 Strong) |
| 2 | 7.46, 14th (2015 Petrino) |
| 3 | 7.23, 24th (2016 Petrino) |
| 4 | 7.08, 23rd (2011 Strong) |
| 5 | 6.77, 28th (2014 Petrino) |
| 6 | 6.62, 30th (2010 Strong) |
| 7 | 6.23, 53rd (2021 Satterfield) |
| 8 | 6.08, 58th (2017 Petrino) |
| 9 | 6.08, 59th (2019 Satterfield) |
| 10 | 5.75, 68th (2009 Krag) |
| 11 | 5.64 (80th (2020 Satterfield) |
| 12 | 4.83, 98th (2008 Krag) |
| 13 | 4.54, 101st (2012 Strong) |
| 14 | 3.83, 127th (2018 Petrino) |
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