LeFors still a force on the field



Louisville's quarterback led the offense to its fifth straight 55-point game.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Stefan LeFors returned to his home state for the final time as a collegian and led Louisville to a record-setting performance.
LeFors threw for one touchdown and ran for another and the seventh-ranked Cardinals became the first team in NCAA history to score at least 55 points in five straight games, beating Tulane 55-7 Saturday.
"It was a great way to end it, coming back home and getting a big win," said LeFors, a senior who played high school ball in nearby Baton Rouge. "Anytime you win its great, but in front of a lot of family and friends it's that much better."
LeFors had about 250 friends and family at the game, including 80 students from the Louisiana School for the Deaf, where his mother teaches. Both of his parents are deaf.
LeFors said he hit up all his teammates for extra tickets this week.
"I just sat by the door in the locker room and everyone that came in I'd ask, 'Are you using your Tulane tickets?' " he said. "Come Thursday I just went to everybody on that list and said, 'I've got your name on the list I need your tickets.' "
Getting offensive
The nation's top-rated passer completed 19-of-27 passes for 247 yards before leaving the regular-season finale late in the third quarter. LeFors was not recruited by a single Louisiana college, but has become the triggerman for one of the most prolific offenses in the country.
LeFors sold himself to Louisville, sending the school a tape of his high school highlights. Eventually, he landed a scholarship from former Cardinals coach John L. Smith. The only Louisiana school to contact him was Nicholls State, a I-AA school that wanted him to play safety.
"I didn't know him when nobody wanted him," said second-year Louisville coach Bobby Petrino. "But since I stepped on campus he's been a pleasure to coach. He works hard every day, prepares extremely hard. He utilizes his skills to the utmost and he's a tremendous leader, all the players rally around him. What a great job, what is he, 19-and-5 as a starter, and that's something special."
The Cardinals (10-1, 8-0 Conference USA), the nation's highest scoring team, are averaging over 50 points a game.
"That's great, and I think you said the right thing and that's 'team,' " Petrino said. "Because we get scores from our special teams, our defense today. That's why we're scoring that many points, not just the offense."
Points taken
Louisville's lowest scoring game was a 28-0 victory over Kentucky in the season opener. Since then, the Cardinals have scored no fewer than 34 points, and more than 40 points seven times.
Louisville freshman kicker Art Carmody broke the NCAA record for consecutive PATs. He kicked seven, giving him 72, breaking the mark set by Bart Edmiston of Florida in 1995.
Louisville had already clinched the conference regular-season title and a spot in the Liberty Bowl. Tulane (5-6, 3-4) had won three straight, and was hoping for an upset and a shot at a bowl game.
The regular-season finale for both teams was originally scheduled for Sept. 18, but was postponed when Hurricane Ivan threatened the New Orleans area.
Louisville had 522 yards in total offense to 165 for Tulane. The Cardinals had 26 first downs to nine for the Green Wave.
"They're a great football team," said Tulane linebacker Anthony Cannon "There's a reason they're ranked in the top 10. They are really balanced and can hit you with the run or the pass. You have to be ready for everything. They have a great offense and a great defense, they compliment each other really well."
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.