Rapid Reaction: Louisville football thrashed by Miami
Any thought of attaining bowl eligibility this week was quickly erased for Louisville football in a deflating performance against Miami. The Hurricanes defeated the Cardinals 52-27 Nov. 9 with an offense that finished with 449 yards and capitalized on good field position and turnovers.
From better to worse
Louisville’s defense looked good against Virginia two weeks ago. The Cardinals forced two turnovers and held Virginia to 311 yards of offense, but Louisville’s defense struggled against Miami.
Miami made plenty of big plays and capitalized on Louisville mistakes by scoring 35 points in the first half. The Hurricanes went 92 yards on their opening possession for a touchdown and scored again on a 67-yard reception by Dee Wiggins on a play that Cardinal cornerback Marlon Character got spun around in coverage.
Cam’Ron Harris had a 46-yard run that helped setup a Miami touchdown in the second quarter. Jarren Williams completed his first eight passes and threw four touchdowns in the first half.
Miami averaged 6.2 yards per carry while Williams finished with six touchdown passes.
Down 21, again
Louisville faced a 21-point halftime deficit against Florida State Sept. 28, but the Cardinals rallied to take a 24-21 lead before the Seminoles scored twice in the fourth quarter to win 35-24.
The Cardinals once again faced a 21-point halftime deficit, but there would be no such comeback against Miami. The Hurricanes scored on the opening possession of the third quarter and controlled for the entirety of the second half.
Louisville had some momentum after a touchdown midway through the third quarter to cut its deficit to 42-21, which the defense followed by forcing Miami to punt, but Louisville fumbled the punt and Miami recovered.
Rushing Attack
Louisville went into the game averaging 218.1 rushing yards per game, but couldn’t get the rushing attack going against a talented Miami front-seven. The Cardinals had just 48 rushing yards in the first half.
The Cardinals had some success in the second half, Javian Hawkins had 69 yards on a drive that led to a touchdown while Hassan Hall rushed for a 58-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Hawkins finished with 91 rushing yards and Louisville ended the game with 168 rushing yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Quarterback share
Micale Cunningham and Evan Conley have split time at quarterback for the Cardinals in recent weeks, but Cunningham played every series until late in the third quarter when he departed due to injury. Conley rotated possessions with Cunningham against Clemson and played the second quarter against Virginia, but Cunningham played exclusively for the first half and late into the third quarter.
Cunningham completed 12 of 18 throws for 219 yards and two touchdowns along with an interception. Conley went 6 of 11 for 109 yards and an interception.
Special teams struggle
Louisville’s special teams were a disaster against Miami.
K.J. Osborn returned a line drive punt by Mason King 38 yards to set up a 13-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter. The Hurricanes blocked a King punt in the second quarter, allowing a drive to start on the 32-yard-line, which led to a touchdown that extend Miami’s lead to 35-14.
After Louisville’s defense forced a punt following a Cardinal touchdown in the third quarter, Tutu Atwell fumbled a punt and Miami recovered, leading to another touchdown.
What it means
Louisville is denied the possibility of bowl eligibility until next week. The Cardinals have another conference road trip, facing NC State Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
