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Louisville Wraps up 17th Practice

Louisville Wraps up 17th Practice
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By Louisville Athletics
Aug. 17, 2016 | LOUISVILLE, KY
By Louisville Athletics Aug. 17, 2016 | 10:09 PM | LOUISVILLE, KY
Wednesday's practice signified the two-week mark for the University of Louisville football team, and after 17 practices, the players are starting to feel the effects of an arduous camp.

"It's week two," tight end Keith Towbridge said following practice. "It's a mental thing now -- your legs start to hurt and your brain starts to hurt.  You keep doing the same stuff over and over again. We have been hitting the same people now for two weeks. It's just a mental thing right now and we have to fight through it."

Just 15 days before taking the field versus Charlotte on Sept. 1, the Cardinals feel they're in a good place, especially offensively, with so many returning starters from an offense that scored over 30 points in four of the last five games last year.

"We are counting down the days to game day," senior Cole Hikutini said. "It's been a long camp, but we feel good with all the veterans we have on offense. We have a lot of play makers and good depth. Practices have been competitive and fun."

Traditionally, the tight end positon has been a focal point of the offense under head coach Bobby Petrino, and with an abundance of talent, that should be magnified even more this season.

Hikutini and Towbridge are two of the top tight end talents in the league. A junior-college transfer last season, Hikutini showcased his abilities by catching 19 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns – tallying 103 yards in the finale against Texas A&M.

A product of Toldeo, Ohio, Towbridge has battled foot injuries, but responded late in the year to put himself in a position for a solid senior season. Towbridge caught 10 passes for 154 yards and three scores – scoring from 17 yards out on a throw from Lamar Jackson in the Music City Bowl win over the Aggies.

Petrino's pro-style offense looks to spread the ball around the field, but if history is any indication, the tight ends should look for the football.

"In this offense, if your number is called you better make a play," tight ends coach Matt Lombardi. "If the tight ends get open, there is a high probability they will get the ball.
Cole is a tough match-up and creates a lot of mismatches and he is a great athlete, and he runs a great route."

Including Towbridge and Hikutini, the Cards are ultra-talented at tight end. There are three other talented tight ends in the mix, with Micky Crum, Charles Standberry and Texas A&M transfer Jordan Davis, who must sit out this season.

"We all have to help each other out," Towbridge said. "We have been together for the last couple of years. Cole and I have to be big brothers. The competition is always going to be there, but we have to continue to push each other."

 

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