Quarterbacks struggle against Clemson
Micale Cunningham and Evan Conley couldn’t get comfortable against one of the best defenses in the country. The Cardinal quarterbacks combined to go 8 for 22 for 107 passing yards against Clemson in Louisville football’s 45-10 loss Oct. 19 at Cardinal Stadium.
Conley led two scoring drives, but Louisville’s offense managed 263 yards of offense in its third loss of the season. Louisville coach Scott Satterfield didn’t think either of his quarterbacks played well against Clemson.
“We didn’t do anything in the passing game,” Satterfield said. “I think they played some of their worst ball this year, but we will give Clemson a lot of credit for that.”
Clemson’s defense is deserving of credit. The Tigers had six sacks and held Louisville to four yards per play.
Satterfield said one of the reasons Cunningham and Conley struggled was due to the different looks Clemson shows. He said the Tiger defense rarely does the same thing, confusing quarterbacks.
Cunningham started for the fifth straight game, but Conley had possessions in the second quarter. The quarterbacks each played series in the second half.
The plan is to play both quarterbacks going forward. Conley completed 4 of 11 throws for 44 yards and an interception while Cunningham went 4 of 11 for 63 yards and an interception.
Conley was named ACC Quarterback of the Week last week against Wake Forest after throwing for 196 yards and rushing for 79 yards in Louisville’s 62-59 victory.
Conley said he can’t get complacent with decision-making after he struggled against Clemson.
“I need do a lot better job of getting the ball out of my hands,” Conley said. “I was trying to do too much.”
