Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics
Cards Deflect Early Doubt
November 05, 2025 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky., — With Ashton Gillotte, Quincy Riley and Ramon Puryear gone, heading into the season the University of Louisville defense faced many questions about how the unit would look after losing that level of production. Now with eight games under their belt this Cardinals defense, thanks to an unlikely duo has swatted, batted down and deflected any previous doubt, both literally and figuratively.
Louisville defensive linemen Rene Konga and Clev Lubin are tied for the Cards' lead in pass breakups, with five a piece.
Pass breakups on the defensive line, a stat usually led by members of the secondary, is a prime example of the effort the Cardinals have played with to produce the Atlantic Coast Conference's top-ranked defense, while also propelling Louisville to a No. 15 national ranking.
"It's been fun to watch. You know that's certainly been a key stat for us this year. We've deflected and batted some balls and not just led to getting off the field on third down, but led to takeaways, led to some interceptions and things of that nature. So, it certainly has provided a boost." Cards defensive line coach Mark Hagen commented.
"It definitely feels good. You know we are hoping to get sacks and not pass deflections, but you know coach Hagen does a great job telling us, "If we can't get to the quarterback, at least put your hands up and you know hopefully make a play out of it." It's been working for us, thankfully" Konga would say.
Passing against this UofL defense in general has not proven to be an easy task. The Cards have a top 20 pass-defense in the country, with opponents averaging only 167.9 yards through the air per contest.
Louisville comes off a second-half shutout against Virginia Tech. Out of the break, the Cards defense forced the Hokies into five straight punts and then a turnover on downs, before V-Tech's offense let the final seconds of fourth quarter clock run out on a 28-16, Cardinals victory.
UofL's strong pass defense will be challenged this week, hosting a high-powered California Golden Bears aerial attack. Cal quarterback, true freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, is not playing like a true freshman at all, he currently sits fifth on the ACC's passing yardage leaderboard, with 2,198 passing yards.
"Well, the quarterback, I mean he can make all the throws. He reminds me of [Micheal Penix Jr.], I was back at Indiana in 2018, 2019, and 2020, when we had Micheal Penix Jr." Hagen added.
With the help of their feared front, this Cardinals' defense will look to make Sagapolutele uncomfortable and force him into some mistakes. The UofL defense has 12 interceptions so far this season, a number that has them sitting tied for seventh nationally.
Louisville will take the field against California on Saturday night inside L&N Stadium. The kick is set for 7 p.m. ET. Watch or stream the game on ESPN2.
Louisville defensive linemen Rene Konga and Clev Lubin are tied for the Cards' lead in pass breakups, with five a piece.
Pass breakups on the defensive line, a stat usually led by members of the secondary, is a prime example of the effort the Cardinals have played with to produce the Atlantic Coast Conference's top-ranked defense, while also propelling Louisville to a No. 15 national ranking.
"It's been fun to watch. You know that's certainly been a key stat for us this year. We've deflected and batted some balls and not just led to getting off the field on third down, but led to takeaways, led to some interceptions and things of that nature. So, it certainly has provided a boost." Cards defensive line coach Mark Hagen commented.
"It definitely feels good. You know we are hoping to get sacks and not pass deflections, but you know coach Hagen does a great job telling us, "If we can't get to the quarterback, at least put your hands up and you know hopefully make a play out of it." It's been working for us, thankfully" Konga would say.
Passing against this UofL defense in general has not proven to be an easy task. The Cards have a top 20 pass-defense in the country, with opponents averaging only 167.9 yards through the air per contest.
Louisville comes off a second-half shutout against Virginia Tech. Out of the break, the Cards defense forced the Hokies into five straight punts and then a turnover on downs, before V-Tech's offense let the final seconds of fourth quarter clock run out on a 28-16, Cardinals victory.
UofL's strong pass defense will be challenged this week, hosting a high-powered California Golden Bears aerial attack. Cal quarterback, true freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, is not playing like a true freshman at all, he currently sits fifth on the ACC's passing yardage leaderboard, with 2,198 passing yards.
"Well, the quarterback, I mean he can make all the throws. He reminds me of [Micheal Penix Jr.], I was back at Indiana in 2018, 2019, and 2020, when we had Micheal Penix Jr." Hagen added.
With the help of their feared front, this Cardinals' defense will look to make Sagapolutele uncomfortable and force him into some mistakes. The UofL defense has 12 interceptions so far this season, a number that has them sitting tied for seventh nationally.
Louisville will take the field against California on Saturday night inside L&N Stadium. The kick is set for 7 p.m. ET. Watch or stream the game on ESPN2.
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