Louisville Game Notes
Syracuse vs. Louisville
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Syracuse, N.Y. • Carrier Dome
Running back Eric Shelton rushed for 138 yards to become the first back since T.J. Patterson in 2001 to rush for consecutive 100-yard games. Shelton had 151 rushing yards in Louisville's season-opening win against Kentucky on Aug. 31.
Wide receiver J.R. Russell has caught a pass in a team-high 13 straight games. He had his first reception of the day on Louisville's first drive, a two-yard pass from Stefan LeFors. His streak began Sept. 14 at Colorado State with one three-yard catch.
Russell recorded his first 100-yard receiving game. He is Louisville's first 100-yard receiver since Dontay Spellman had 128 vs. Army in 2001.
Louisville scored on its opening drive for the second straight game. The Cardinals scored touchdowns on their first two possessions in their season opener, a 40-24 win against Kentucky on Aug. 31.
Center Dan Koons made his team-best 22nd straight start against SU. He started the final seven games of 2001, and all 13 games last season.
Quarterback Stefan LeFors opened the game completing his first six passes (6-for-6, 109 yards). He finished the game 16-for-25 with a career-high 266 yards in just his second start for the Cardinals. It marked his first 200-yard passing game.
Kicker Nate Smith booted a 48-yard field goal in the first quarter, the second-longest of his career. He kicked a school record-tying 52-yard field goal in the Cardinals' double-overtime victory at Southern Miss in 2002. Smith finished with three field goals on the day giving him 34 for his career. He moved into a tie for 2nd place on the Cardinals' all-time list with David Akers.
With three extra points on the day, Smith now has 101 for his career. He needs 10 more to catch David Akers for second on Louisville's career list (111).
Defensive end Montavious Stanley recorded his first career sack for a loss of six yards in the second quarter. Stanley hit R.J. Anderson on the Louisville 44-yard line during Syracuse's second drive of the period.
With 129 kickoff return yards on the day, Broderick Clark moved into fifth place in school history with 1,087 kick return yards.
