A nice margin of victory for the University of Louisville football team in a 59-13 romp over Villanova but another slow start for the Cardinals. Understandable a week ago against a top 10 team but too many little things could be reasons for concern.
Enough questions to make one more than a little uncomfortable as Southern Methodist University arrives next weekend for the beginning of the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule. A team that handed Louisville a 38-6 loss last season in Dallas, a humiliating defeat with little redeeming value. A Texas team. Texans who eat, sleep and breathe football 24 hours a day. They are undefeated after two games, including a win over Florida State.
UofL, meanwhile, is 1-1, not getting off to smooth starts this season, struggling to get going in the opening minutes. Quarterback Lincoln Keinholz turning in some impressive numbers, the first quarterback in Louisville history to throw for more than 300 yards in his first two games. But it takes him a while to get going, it seems. A slow start and a strong finish is not inevitable against SMU.
The Cardinals are committing more than their share of penalties in the early going. Louisville had nine penalties for 90 yards against Villanova, two for unsportmanlike conduct and two personal penalties. That’s five days after a similar number against Old Miss, nine penalties for 82 yards. Discipline where art thou?
One never knows what to expect on defense. The Villanova offense feasted early on the left side of the offensive line, including a 65-yard touchdown before UofL found an answer. The defense with no interceptions in the first two games, sacks and fumbles few and far between.
Thankfully Lincoln Kleinholz is a running threat because Isaac Brown is slow getting out of the gate this season. Only 97 yards in 27 carries in his first two games. Maybe life is too comfortable with all the NIL money he’s earning. One has to wonder. Meanwhile Keyshaun Brown was injured on his only attempt and never returned to the game.
Make it or break it time arrives Saturday at 3:30 p.m. arrives at L&N Stadium.
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Fortunately, Louisville injected some new talent. Freshman Marquise Davis led the run game for UofL with seven carries for 86 yards while punching in two touchdowns. Sophomore Braxton Jennings also had two touchdowns, including a 15-yard run and a two-yard reception.
Jaleel Skinner ignited Louisville’s offense with a 69-yard touchdown catch late in the first quarter. Lawayne McCoy topped the Cards in the air, hauling in three catches for 102 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter. J
Kaleb Beasley led the Cardinals’ defense with seven total tackles, including four solo tackles while Koen Entringer and Trent Carter added six tackles apiece. Tyler Thompson created the only Louisville takeaway with a forced fumble recovered by Dillon Smith on the first play of the fourth quarter.
