The University of Louisville football team tried several schemes to find a cornerback to play opposite Johnny Patrick last season — even using a converted receiver and moving over a safety at times.
This season the Cardinals have needed only one plan. Senior Bobby Burns, one of four players to get at least one start last season, has helped stabilize what was anticipated to be a shaky secondary.
“Bobby has been consistent for us; he takes coaching well,”
defensive coordinator Vance Bedford said. “He'll go out there and try to play two or three techniques, try to confuse guys by moving around, and because of that, he's gone out there this season and done a good job for us.”
Burns will start for the eighth straight game when the Cards play at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
“I feel like I'm still trying to keep my job every day,”
he said. “I'm just having the opportunity right now, so I have to step up and make plays when they come so I can keep my position out there.”
Burns is tied with Patrick with three pass breakups this season. The 5-foot-10 native of Spanaway, Wash., will face a big challenge against Pitt's tall receivers.
The Cards had problems defending “jump ball”
passes to tall receivers against Arkansas State and Cincinnati. Pitt probably will throw a few of those to 6-foot-5 wideouts Jonathan Baldwin and Mike Shanahan.
“You've got to make them make the great play; that's the key,”
U of L secondary coach Larry Slade said.
Burns is one of the quiet Cardinals. He gets excited only when he's on the field — or playing teammates in the Madden 2K11 video game. (He's considered one of the team's quickest with his thumbs.) U ofL defensive tackle Greg Scruggs said despite his mild-mannered demeanor, Burns isn't the type to back down.
“Bobby is tough; he's small in size but big in heart,”
Scruggs said. “I know that's cliché, but that's who Bobby Burns is. He's one of the most knowledgeable guys on defense as far as knowing and being instinctual about the game.”
Burns is used to meeting challenges. Despite starting as a sophomore in high school, his grades kept him from being recruited and forced him to go to junior college. But even that was tricky.
