PSJ's Pryor makes impact felt in upset for Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Calvin Pryor exchanged his No. 3 uniform number for 25 when making the leap to the next level, but the skills remain intact.
The former Port St. Joe standout, making this third straight start at free safety as a true freshman, had a bulging stat line after the University of Louisville’s 38-35 road upset of West Virginia, ranked No. 21 in the country.
The Cardinals had not beaten West Virginia in Morgantown since 1997 and had not beaten their Conference USA foe since 2006.
Coach Charlie Strong labeled it a signature win for the program he is building at Louisville.
“That was a pretty big win for us,” Pryor said during a phone interview. “Coach Strong kept telling us all week about how long it had been since we had beaten West Virginia, how long it had been since we won there and it was a big challenge he put on us and we accepted that challenge and went out and made plays.”
Pryor recorded six tackles, one quarterback sack, one pass break-up and forced one fumble and recovered a fumble.
He is one of nine true freshmen now starting for the Cardinals, who are 5-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Coincidentally or not, the Cardinals are on a three-game winning streak with Pryor starting in the defensive backfield.
Pryor, with a chuckle, noted that his record was 3-0.
“It was a promotion,” Pryor said of his rise to top of the depth chart. “I had some snaps in the game before (the last three) and played pretty well and the coaches said they would see how the week went with practice and make a decision.
“I just kept working hard and moving up. Now I am going out and just trying to make plays.”
That he is starting as a true freshman, while unusual at a FBS school, was all part of the plan when Pryor accepted a scholarship offer from Louisville.
“That was another reason I came here, the chance to play right away,” Pryor said. “Coach Strong told a lot of us freshmen that we are a young team and we would have a chance to contribute.”
Pryor has grown, he said, in size, speed and strength, but also in his understanding of the game that is his passion.
“I really thought I knew about football at Port St. Joe, but (the coaches at Louisville) have taken it to another level with all the film study, the weight room and all the work we do in practice,” Pryor said. “The coaches prepare us so well we know what the opponent is going to try to do and we can just go out and make plays.”
Pryor said he also was not surprised by the demands on his time from football and school — this interview was balanced between classes — or the emphasis on personal accountability Strong brings to the equation.
“I pretty much understood that when I came here,” Pryor said. “That is one thing the coaches really stress. You have to be accountable and responsible for yourself and your actions. (The coaches) try to make us better human beings.”
