2021 First Responder Bowl - Louisville Player Quotes

Louisville Linebacker C.J. Avery

On the Air Force offense:

“We expected the run and pass. We obviously knew they were a great run team. But we also knew that they were going to take shots and did. We just didn’t win.” 

On your career at Louisville:

“It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing that I got the chance to come here, play, and have an impact on the city. Fans all across the city, I hope I left a great mark on a lot of people.”

On the physicality of the game:

“It was extremely physical. A lot of their O-line are coming straight off the ball and firing off. You got to get your hands dirty and the running backs, quarterbacks, and slot guys are running hard. It’s a really physical game but I thought we did pretty good against the run. We just didn’t do well against the pass.”

On the advice to the younger guys:

“I think it’s just laser focus. Just having that laser focus throughout the process, whole season, and every play. That’s the key.”

On the future of this program:

“It’s bright. Everyone is looking at the record and the losses. But those losses, like everyone is saying it’s one play away. If that one plays is made it’s an entirely different season and totally different conversation. The future is totally bright. The guys that are coming back just need to buy in and make the plays.”

Louisville Running Back Trevion Cooley

On the run game:

“It starts with the front five. They did a great job of working up to the second level. We’ve been working on that all year. It’s our job to make second and third level cuts. And they did a great job of giving us an opportunity to make plays.”

On trying to get over the hump:

“I think a lot of guys this year got a great opportunity to play. For the future it’s very bright for the young guys. I would say just dial in more. For me, I would say the things that I need to work on are, getting bigger obviously. I came off an injury or two. I haven’t played football in two years. This team will be great. There’s a lot of very young kids in there. Getting adjusted to college was a tole too on a lot of us. Moving forward they’ll be ready for next year.”

On the 4th down stop:

“We ran that play probably three or four times. Which it worked every single time up until that point. But it was my job to really punch it in and I can’t really blame anyone else.”