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FSU Football: A First Look at Louisville
Bobby Ellis/Getty ImagesFlorida State won’t be the only team in the midst of a disappointing season on the field Saturday. Louisville, who was also ranked to begin the year, has dropped consecutive games and is just 4-6 in its last 10 games dating back to last year.
The good news for the Cardinals is they have the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and a guy who helped put up more points against FSU than any opponent ever last season in quarterback Lamar Jackson. The bad news is that they have lost consecutive games, including at home to Boston College last week. That served as the Eagles’ first ACC win of the year. In that contest, Boston College scored 45 points — the most for the program against an FBS opponent since November 2013.
On Louisville
Record: 4-3 (1-3 ACC)
Offensive Ranks: 4th in yards per game (567), 7th in passing yards per game (358.9), 28th in rushing yards per game (208.6), 20th in points per game (38.1).
Defensive Ranks: 63rd in yards per game allowed (380), 80th in passing yards per game allowed (231.9), 63rd in rushing yards per game allowed (138.6), 85th in points per game allowed (29.6).
Last Game: Lost to Boston College on Saturday, 45-42.
On Offense
When it comes to the Louisville offense, there’s no secret who the guy to keep an eye on is. Junior quarterback and reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson is in the midst of yet another unbelievable season with more than 3,000 total yards to his name and 26 total touchdowns in just seven games. Jackson is averaging nearly 332 yards per game passing and close to 100 more on the ground. Seniors Malik Williams and Reggie Bonnafon have been solid in aiding Jackson on the ground as the two running backs have combined for 510 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry.
When it comes to the guys catching passes from Jackson, Louisville has seven different receivers with at least 100 yards receiving and five with at least 180 this year. Of those seven, five are averaging better than 16 yards per catch. Freshman Dez Fitzpatrick is the top receiver with 33 catches for 541 yards and seven touchdowns. Jaylen Smith isn’t far behind. The offensive line, led by junior tackle Geron Christian, has been solid this year as the Cardinals are averaging six yards per carry and have yielded just 15 sacks. Of course, sacking Jackson is easier said than done.
On Defense
While Louisville continues to be a well-oiled machine on offense, the defense has been a mess. In ACC games this season, the Cardinals are allowing 41.5 points per game. Louisville has been hampered by the loss of linebacker Stacy Thomas. Jonathan Greenard leads the defensive front with five sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss.
The struggles for the Louisville defense this year have been much greater against the run than the pass, largely because the Cardinals have a talented secondary. Cornerback Jaire Alexander had a big game against FSU last season and is quietly one of the best in the country at the position. Safeties Zykiesis Cannon and Chucky Williams ranks first and third respectively for the Cardinals in tackles. Senior Trumaine Washington is also a dependable corner. Freshman TreSean Smith leads the team with two interceptions.
On Special Teams
In the least talked about phase of the game, Louisville has had an up and down year. Kicker Blanton Creque is a perfect 9-for-9 on field goals this season with a long of 48 yards, but doesn’t possess the biggest leg. Punter Mason King is averaging 43.9 yards per punt. Bonnafon is a dangerous punt returner for the Cardinals and Alexander took one back against the Seminoles last season. Louisville allowed a 94-yard kickoff return for a score to North Carolina’s Anthony Ratliff-Williams.
Summary
Like Florida State, Bobby Petrino’s Louisville Cardinals are in the midst of a disappointing season. That however, hasn’t stopped Lamar Jackson from making a strong case for a second straight Heisman Trophy despite significant attrition around him. Louisville has also lost a lot on defense and early on, it has shown. The Seminoles have yet to score more than 26 points in any game, but will likely have to to top Louisville on Saturday.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
About Mike Ferguson
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole and former editor of Noled Out. Mike has more than seven years experience as a sports writer including the last four in print and online media. Mike graduated from Florida State University in 2009 with a Bachelors in Religion and a minor in Communications. Mike provided press coverage of Florida State's run to the 2013 BCS National Championship. Mike is also a news reporter at Polk County's newspaper, The Ledger in Lakeland, Florida. and contributes to Athlon Sports and ACCSports.com. Mike has been featured on sites as prominent as Yahoo Sports, FoxSports.com, Associated Press and the front page of SI.com while interviewing athletes as high profile as 2013 National League MVP, Andrew McCutchen. Email Mike at Mike@TheDailyNole.com. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.
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