By Russ Brown
Special to NKyTribune
LOUISVILLE — After starting 0-3 for the first time since 1984, the University of Louisville football team finally got a much-needed win Saturday night, trouncing Samford, 45-3.
But other than a feel-good vibe, it’s difficult to draw any solid conclusions about the Cardinals’ future prospects from their dominating performance against an FCS lightweight. Little was proven except that UofL could probably win the Southern Conference championship.
“We did what we were supposed to do,” UofL coach Bobby Petrino said. “We were supposed to perform well and win the game. I was happy for our players. It was good to see the smiles on their faces in the locker room.”
Whether those smiles will last longer than a week, though, is another question. Because now it’s back to the real world of life in the ACC and it shouldn’t take long to get a better handle on the Cards’ possible fate the remainder of the season.
Louisville racked up 562 yards of total offense, including 288 yards rushing. Both were season highs, but they came against a team than ranked 101st in total defense in the FCS, having allowed 469 yards per game against low-level competition.
The defenses of the Cards’ next three opponents will be much more challenging, to put it mildly. NC State (No. 3), Florida State (8) and Boston College (1) are among the nation’s leaders in total defense, and two of those games will be on the road against unbeaten foes.
Furthermore, the Wolfpack (4-0) also boasts one of the most efficient offenses in the country, leading the FBS in time of possession at 39 minutes. NC State, which clobbered South Alabama 63-13 in its last outing and will host UofL at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, has run a remarkable 1,914 plays to its opponents’ 823.
Then, after a bye week, comes Florida State (3-0) on Oct. 17, followed by Boston College’s (3-1) visit to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on Oct. 24.
If the romp past Samford didn’t enlighten anyone regarding UofL’s ability to deal with stronger competition, it was nonetheless notable for several developments.
Foremost, it looks as if the muddied situation at quarterback now has some clarity. True freshman Lamar Jackson started for the second time and was outstanding. He contributed 184 yards rushing, a school record for a quarterback, with his carries including touchdowns of 14 and 13 yards and a 73-yard gain that set up Brandon Radcliff’s 2-yard TD run.
Jackson also completed 15-of-22 passes for 212 yards, with a 36-yard TD toss to wide receiver James Quick.
“I think we’ve settled on Lamar,” Petrino said. “He’s real explosive and he can go the distance when he gets the opportunity. I think he needs to learn when enough is enough — when he needs to get down and protect himself. But he does have great instincts.”
Jackson’s succint reaction: “Now I just have to keep the job.”
In a wrinkle that Louisville opponents will probably see more of as the season progresses, Reggie Bonnafon lined up at tailback, wide receiver and quarterback. He carried six times for 26 yards, caught a 13-yard pass and completed 3-of-6 passes for 62 yards, with a 3-yard TD pass to tight end Mickey Crum.
“I think we can build on it,” Petrino said of Bonnafon’s new role. “He’s really talented and he’s got a great attitude.”
Surprisingly, Kyle Bolin, who had started the previous game against Clemson and had been the quarterback for six straight quarters, didn’t get a single snap.
Jackson and Bonnafon were operating behind a revamped offensive line that featured three new starters. Redshirt freshman Lukayus McNeil replaced Pedro Sibiea at guard, senior Kelby Johnson got the nod at tackle over Aaron Epps and junior T.C. Klusman started over Tobijah Hughley at center. Hughley and Epps were the only returning starters from last year.
Petrino said he used the players who had been competing the hardest in practice.
One of the most encouraging aspects of the win was the return of Quick, who had been sidelined since the opener against Auburn on Sept. 5 with an ankle injury. Quick, who was UofL’s second-leading receiver in 2014 with 566 yards and three touchdowns, caught three passes for 69 yards and will give the Cards’ offense a significant boost.
Another starter, sophomomre Ja’Quay Savage (knee), also returned and had two catches for 43 yards.
“It was really nice to have James Quick back,” Petrino said. “He certainly is the mature one in the bunch (of wideouts) and understands what you need to do to prepare. He showed his explosiveness tonight.”
Perhaps getting a bit carried away, Samford coach Chris Hatcher said he told Petrino before the game that Louisville was one or two plays away from being a Top-10 team, and added to that praise afterwards.
“With the type of defense they play and if they settle on the quarterback, they’ve got a chance to win a whole lot of ball games this year,” Hatcher said. “They’re a big, physical football team and that quarterback (Jackson) can beat you running and throwing.”
Sure, UofL’s bigger, faster and more talented players overwhelmed Samford, as they should have. But whether Hatcher is accurate in his lofty assessment of the Cards, we’ll have to wait a few more weeks to find out.
Russ Brown has covered University of Louisville athletics for over 30 years, including 15 for The Courier-Journal in Louisville. He is senior writer/editor for the Louisville SportsReport, which he helped found, and also writes for Cardinalsports.com.