35 reasons to be excited for UofL football

· Bobby Petrino is the only head coach to serve two stints with the Cardinals (2003-06, 2014-present),and owns a 58-18 record for a 76.3 winning percentage, the best in school history.

· The University of Louisville football team has been picked to finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic Division, according to a poll of 191 media members in attendance at last week’s 2016 ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C.

· The annual football kickoff luncheon on Aug. 19 at noon is already sold out! Held at the Downtown Marriott, the event is a highlight to the offseason and includes comments from UofL Coach Bobby Petrino and an appearance by members of the 2016 Cardinals.

· Safety Josh Harvey-Clemons and defensive end/linebacker Devonte' Fields represent the Cardinals on the Nagurski Trophy Watch List, presented to the best defensive player in college football.

· Tight end Cole Hikutini averaged 18.3 yards a reception last season.

· The senior tight end is one of 45 players on the John Mackey Award preseason Watch List for the 2016 season.

· He’s not the only tight end to watch. Keith Towbridge caught 10 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns.

· The cornerback position returns depth with juniors Trumaine Washington and Shaq Wiggins and sophomore Jaire Alexander.

· Over 60 Cardinal football players have graduated since coach Bobby Petrino’s return to the program in 2013.

· In 2015, the Cardinals produced the second-most draft picks in the NFL Draft when 10 former Cardinals were selected.

· Remember the Music City Bowl? The Cardinals defeated SEC opponent Texas A&M 27-21 in the Music City Bowl.

· How’d they win? Behind 226 yards rushing and250 yards passing from bowl game MVP Lamar Jackson.

· The Cardinals were second nationally in community service hours — spending time at local community centers, hospital and school visit, as well as, signing autographs for fans or children following practice.

· James Quick appeared in 11 games, making nine starts and led the team in receiving with 39 receptions for 624 yards and five touchdowns

· The Cardinals surpassed the 300-yard rushing mark in wins over Kentucky and Texas A&M to close the year.

· Lamar Jackson set a school record for career rushing yards by a quarterback in his first season by accounting for 960 yards and 11 touchdowns, while averaging a team-high 5.9 yards per carry.

· The Cardinals return every one of their pass catchers from last year, including three players with 29 or more receptions and nine touchdowns.

· Jamari Staples missed the first four games last season and still managed 37 receptions for a team-best 638 yards and three scores.

· DeAngelo Brown, a starter in 12 games, posted a career-high 40 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks.

· The Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium is being expanded! Plans are also in place to enhance the football complex, with additional weight room and training space, as well as, a new team meeting room and a more spacious locker room.

· Senior all-ACC safety Josh Harvey-Clemons was tops in the defensive backfield in tackles with 88 and also totaled three interceptions.

· As a rookie, Traveon Samuel totaled 18 receptions for 188 yards and one touchdown.

· Junior Stacy Thomas recorded a career-high 11 tackles versus Texas A&M, and tallied a career-best 31 tackles on the season.

· As a true freshman last year, Jaylen Smith appeared in all 13 games this season, making 10 starts and finishing third on the team in receptions with 29 for 376 yards and one touchdown.

· Keith Kelsey is back to lead the defense. Totaling a career-best 107 tackles, Kelsey was the lone first-team all-league performer a year ago. He posted five games of 10 or more tackles.

· On defense, the Cardinals return eight starters.

· Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has guided a top 20 defense in his first two seasons at Louisville.

· Junior Chucky Williams started every game at safety and tallied 61 tackles and also added three interceptions.

· In 2015, the offense ended the season by averaging 35.6 points per game.

· Louisville returns 10 players who caught at least 10 passes last season.

· The linebacking corps boasts three all-conference performers in seniors Devonte’ Fields, Trevon Young and Keith Kelsey.

· The offensive line brings back four of its five starters, including all-ACC tackle Geron Christian.

· Louisville opens the year at home against Charlotte on Sept. 1 in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Kickoff on the ACC Regional Sports Network is set for 7 p.m. The Cardinals’ home slate also includes contests against Florida State and Kentucky.

· Since 2010, the Cardinals have made over 70 appearances on national television, and have played 19 times in school history on ESPN’s Thursday Night broadcast.

· Reggie Bonnafon made an appearance in 11 games, including two starts last season, playing quarterback, wide receiver and running back.