ORLANDO — Less than 24 hours before Louisville faces LSU in the Citrus Bowl, Cardinals’ coach Bobby Petrino is “fortunate” to not be at funeral.
Hours after Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson became the first Cardinal player to win the Heisman trophy, two Louisville players were involved in an off-campus shooting.
Defensive lineman James Hearns and outside linebacker Henry Famurewa were shot on Dec. 12 during Jackson’s Heisman celebration party.
“That was something that was a tragedy,” Petrino said. “Something that we talked to our team about that we’re very fortunate that we’re not a funeral right now. Both of them are healthy and have an opportunity to finish their careers and get their degrees and do everything they came to university of Louisville to do.”
According to a report by the Courier Journal, a “pushing and shoving” match began outside an off-campus apartment complex and a gun was shot by a suspect who has not been apprehended yet.
The 55-year-old coach said Louisville players are not allowed to own a gun and if caught with a gun it would result in an immediate dismissal from the school.
“We do have a no-guns policy,” Petrino said.
Hearns, a redshirt junior, suffered an elbow injury, while Famurewa injured his foot and his shoulder, Petrino said. Both players made the trip to Orlando and are not expected to play versus LSU.
Hearns has a team-high eight sacks and Famurewa was a key reserve for the Cardinals defense.
Petrino expects redshirt freshman outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard and redshirt junior outside linebacker Stacy Thomas to fill the void of Hearns and Famurewa.
The shooting incident of two players is just one distraction Petrino and his Louisville squad have faced this month.
Five days after the shooting, Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich suspended co-offensive coordinator Lonnie Galloway for accepting information from Wake Forest’s radio analyst Tommy Elrod.
Elrod provided Galloway with Wake Forest’s game plan information and Galloway then shared the information with the Cardinals defensive staff. Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford decided to fine Louisville $25,000 on Dec. 17 for Galloway’s role.
With an investigation into the matter concluded and bowl game to play, Petrino said he’s ready to move on from the scandal.
“We’ve had an extensive investigation,” Petrino said. “Obviously, we all know that our athletic director has suspended our co-offensive coordinator, and the commissioner has put down a fine. And, you know, we’ve worked through it. We’ve had the investigation, and we consider the matter closed, and we’re here to play a bowl game.”
Petrino lauded the seniors on the team for their ability to block out the distractions of late and said the team used last seven practices to focus strictly on LSU.
Up next for Louisville: a LSU defense eager to face a high-powered Louisville offense.
The Tigers’ defense, which ranks No. 14 in total defense in the country, is the “most talented” defense Louisville will play this season, Petrino said.
“They’re very physical up front and do a great job in their run gaps,” Petrino said. “Their linebackers are big and can run and are physical and they’ve got guys that can match up and play man coverage.”
