5 Key Things to Know About the Louisville Cardinals Football Team
The Louisville Cardinals are preparing for a crucial game against the Kentucky Wildcats, and while Big Blue Nation is struggling with the disappointing outcome of the season, there’s a different level of anticipation surrounding this matchup. Despite their challenges, the Wildcats have one final chance to salvage their season with a victory over the Louisville Cardinals. The stakes are high, not only for Kentucky’s pride but for their future direction, as discussions about the program’s future would only intensify if they lose to Louisville this Saturday. Here are five key things to know about the Louisville Cardinals ahead of the Governor’s Cup showdown.
1. Louisville’s High-Powered Offense
Under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville has fielded a dynamic and efficient offense that consistently ranks among the best in the nation. Known for his ability to craft explosive and high-scoring offenses, Brohm’s Cardinals have lived up to that reputation in 2024. Louisville currently boasts a Top 15 offense in college football, ranking eighth nationally in yards per play (6.86), 11th in adjusted expected points per play (0.15), and 12th in yards per rush (6.16). These numbers reflect a balanced attack that is both efficient and explosive, putting up over 36 points per game.
The Cardinals have been a consistent threat throughout the season, scoring no fewer than 24 points in any game. In particular, their ability to execute big plays has made them a dangerous opponent. Louisville is second nationally in rushing plays of 40 yards or more and seventh in passing plays of 50 yards or more, showing their ability to break open a game with a single play. For Kentucky’s defense, limiting these explosive plays will be key to standing a chance in this rivalry game.
2. Strong Quarterback Play in Tyler Sough
Louisville’s quarterback, Tyler Sough, has been a stabilizing force for the offense. A seventh-year player who started his career at Oregon before transferring to Texas Tech and now Louisville, Sough has faced his fair share of challenges, including injuries that have hindered his previous seasons. But in 2024, he has found his rhythm and has played some of his best football. Sough has completed 63.3% of his passes, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The Cardinals’ offense ranks 28th nationally in pass play percentage, utilizing the pass as a significant part of their attack. With Sough’s combination of experience and talent, Louisville has become one of the most potent passing offenses in college football. Saturday’s game against Kentucky will be Sough’s 42nd college football appearance, and he’ll be looking to continue his strong play against a Kentucky defense that will have its hands full with his ability to make plays through the air.
3. A Deep and Talented Receiving Corps
While the Cardinals have a variety of weapons at wide receiver, one name stands out as the primary target in their passing game: Ja’Corey Brooks. A former five-star prospect who transferred to Louisville after three seasons at Alabama, Brooks has been a standout this season with 61 catches for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s become the go-to player for Sough in critical situations and is a major threat to Kentucky’s secondary.
However, Brooks isn’t the only capable receiver in the group. Chris Bell, a junior, has caught 34 passes for 593 yards and four touchdowns, while Mark Rodman has added 23 receptions for 239 yards and three touchdowns. The variety of options available to Sough means that Kentucky’s defense cannot afford to focus solely on Brooks, as Bell and Rodman are also capable of making big plays.
4. Explosive Freshman Rushing Duo
The Louisville Cardinals have been a nightmare for defenses not just through the air but also on the ground, thanks to a pair of impressive true freshmen running backs. Isaac Brown has quickly emerged as one of the top offensive threats for the Cardinals, rushing for 896 yards on 121 carries and scoring nine touchdowns. Brown has been explosive, averaging 7.4 yards per rush and contributing in the passing game with 27 receptions for 140 yards.
Alongside Brown, Duke Watson has also made an impact in the backfield, rushing for 410 yards and five touchdowns. Watson’s 8.0 yards per carry is even better than Brown’s, and he has the ability to break off long runs, as demonstrated by his 117-yard, three-touchdown performance against Stanford earlier this season. Together, Brown and Watson form a dangerous tandem that will test Kentucky’s ability to stop the run, especially given the Wildcats’ struggles in containing explosive plays throughout the season. Keeping these two freshmen from making big gains will be critical for Kentucky’s defense to have any chance of slowing down Louisville’s offense.
5. Louisville Defense Has Its Weaknesses
Despite their offensive firepower, the Louisville Cardinals’ defense has been a bit more vulnerable this season. Several teams have been able to score 27 or more points against Louisville, with five opponents surpassing that threshold. This provides a glimmer of hope for Kentucky, whose offense has had its struggles but could find opportunities to score against a defense that has given up big plays. However, the Wildcats’ offense will need to find a way to protect freshman quarterback Koy Boley, as Louisville’s defense has been successful at creating pressure.
Ashton Gillotte, a defensive end for the Cardinals, has been the standout player on defense. He leads the team with 54 pressures, 4.5 sacks, and 9.5 tackles for loss, showing a strong ability to disrupt the opposing offense. Gillotte’s versatility allows him to line up in various positions, creating problems for the offensive line. For Kentucky to have any chance at success, they will need to neutralize Gillotte’s impact and ensure that Boley has time to operate in the pocket. If the Wildcats can do that, they might have a chance to put up some points against a defense that has shown some holes this season.
Saturday’s game between Kentucky and Louisville will have significant implications for both teams. For Kentucky, a win would provide a much-needed boost after a disappointing season and give them a sense of pride heading into the offseason. For Louisville, a victory would solidify their strong season and help them continue to build momentum under Coach Jeff Brohm.
With a high-powered offense led by Tyler Sough, a dynamic receiving corps, and explosive freshmen in the backfield, the Cardinals will be a formidable opponent for Kentucky. However, Louisville’s defense has been prone to giving up points, and if Kentucky can capitalize on those opportunities and protect their quarterback, they could make things interesting in this rivalry game. As always, anything can happen when these two teams meet for the Governor’s Cup, and this game promises to be an exciting conclusion to the 2024 college football season.
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