LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville coach John L. Smith was getting tired of telling his team to play harder. He sensed his players were tired of hearing it. Last week, following the Cardinals' listless 45-31 loss to TCU, Smith tapped the program's past for an inspirational speaker, inviting former cornerback Frank Minnifield to address the team.

Minnifield played for Louisville from 1979-82 and went on to star for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. He made four Pro Bowls while the franchise was enjoying its most successful run since the 1960s.

"Frank talked about the days when they were hungry in Cleveland, getting to the top and how a lot of them got accolades and then, all of a sudden, the hunger wasn't there. That really hit the nail on the head," Smith said at his weekly news conference Monday. "Our players listened, and hopefully, it will help. We've got to get that hunger back."

Minnifield's words worked wonders on Saturday.

The Cardinals (4-3, 3-1 Conference USA) rebounded from their worst home loss since 1999 with their biggest home win of the season, a 44-20 rout of East Carolina.

Now, Smith said the trick is carrying that enthusiasm through Louisville's final four games.

The Cardinals don't play again until Nov. 7, when they host Cincinnati (3-5, 2-2).

"I'm hoping last week starts the snowball rolling," Smith said. "But it's not started downhill yet. We're still trying to get it going.

"You can make mistakes. Everything is forgivable. Not playing hard is not forgivable. That's inexcusable," Smith said. "That's a lack of respect for yourself, your teammates, the game, everything. Play with your heart, play with abandon, play with excitement. Enjoy it."

Quarterback Dave Ragone did against the Pirates, going 23-of-32 for 352 yards and a career-high five touchdowns for his best game of the season. He completed 18 straight passes during one stretch, a school record.

Smith said Ragone took advantage of a renewed commitment by the coaching staff to the short passing game that generated gaudy offensive numbers in Smith's first few seasons.

"We've got to start getting the ball out of Dave's hands, and we did that last week," Smith said. "It's got to become more a part of our offense. If you can't protect him, you better get rid of it."

Ragone was also aided by a much-improved performance by Louisville's maligned offensive line.

"It's not hard to feel comfortable when you're not getting hit in the mouth every time," Smith said. "It's easy to sit back and say, 'Gosh, I feel good today. I'm not getting smacked upside the head."'

The top benefactor of the offensive improvements was senior receiver Damien Dorsey, who had nine catches for 158 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs. The 5-foot-7 Dorsey also returned five punts for 70 yards and was named the league's special-teams player of the week.

"We're starting to get everything we can out of Dorsey. We're just starting utilize him as much as we can," Smith said. "Dave's comfortable throwing the ball to Dorsey because he's catching it. Once you start to have success together, that starts the snowball going. Now, they're comfortable together so Dave's going to go to him more."

Last week's win renewed the Cardinals' hopes for another league title. Smith will be watching closely when Southern Mississippi (5-2, 3-0) visits TCU (6-1, 3-1) on Wednesday night.

An Eagles' win would put the Cardinals just one game out of first place with a Nov. 14 game with Southern Mississippi still left on the schedule.

"It's been a long time since we've cheered for Southern Miss. In fact, I can't remember doing it," Smith said. "But we're on their side for this one, I guarantee it. That's the only way we can do it.

"Hopefully, they'll knock (TCU) off and then everything's in our hands. You can't ask for any more than that."