If there was any doubt about any part of this game, it came during a timeout in the first half. A young man in a familiar pose on his knees, making the nervous proposal, the plea for his girl friend’s hand in marriage. What was she going to say with 48,575 fans looking on? She said yes, of course, and hopefully they will live happily ever after.
The pre-game festivities opening with a nice aerial show with with a flyover from a C-130 and parachutists from the National Guard delivering the game ball to the officials.
The University of Louisville football team would have a good day as well, improving it won-lost record to 2-0 with 49-14 win over Jacksonville State. On a stereotypical fall day, a sunny day with temperatures in the 75-degree range from the opening kickoff to the final horn. Fortunately the Observer brought a windbreaker, the constant 10 to 15 mph breezes lowering the temperatures quite a bit in the shadow on the press box on the east side of L&N Stadium.
No complaints, though, another perfect football day. Happy crowd, happy coach, so far so good for 2024 gridiron.
Elsewhere on the field, the Cardinals were rolling up 610 yards on offense to only 290 for the visitors. Quarterback Tyler Shough was again on target, completing 21 for 33 passing attempts for 349 yards and two touchdowns. The TD receivers were Chris Bell ran 61 yards for one touchdown and Mark Redman for 12 yards. Maurice Turner led the way in the running game with 60 yards and a touchdown.
“Proud of our football team today,” said Coach Jeff Brohm. “I thought they played hard for four quarters. We knew we would be tested better in this game. This team does a lot of different things and has some nuances on offense that you have to prepare for and you have to be good at it. They caught us on our heels a few times in the first half and got some points.
“Our offense was fairly efficient which was good because we got a lead and of course in the second half we made adjustments. We came out and played efficient football, we didn’t give up any points on defense. We played much better of course when we are efficient on offense and increasing the lead, it makes them do some things that they don’t want to do. So all those things tied into it but I do think we finished the game and played hard and came out with a good victory.”
Nothing could go wrong on this day. A perfect fall day exceeding expectations.
