Rapid Reaction: Clemson outmatches Louisville
After consecutive conference wins, Louisville football was reminded its place in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with a 45-10 loss to Clemson at Cardinal Stadium Oct. 19. The Cardinals played a competitive first half, but the third-ranked Tigers never allowed the game to be in doubt.
Louisville couldn’t measure up against a Clemson team with speed, size and talent that has won 22 straight contests. The Cardinals continued to compete throughout, but the talent disparity was evident.
“In the first half we had opportunities, I think our defense gave up some yards but did a good job creating some turnovers, getting the ball back to the offense,” Louisville coach Scott Satterfield said. “We didn’t capitalize on any plays.”
Defensive Woes
The Cardinals intercepted Trevor Lawrence twice in the first quarter as Jack Fagot and Russ Yeast each had interceptions in the endzone, but that might have been the only bright spot for the defense that has struggled for several weeks.
Louisville went into the game allowing 439 yards per game. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 20 of 29 throws for 233 yards and three touchdowns while running back Travis Etienne finished with 192 rushing yards.
The Cardinals couldn’t limit big plays in the passing game. Amari Rodgers had a 61-yard reception on Clemson’s first drive of the second quarter that led to a touchdown. The biggest back breaker came just before halftime.
Lawrence rolled to his left and found Justyn Ross in the back of the endzone near the goal post for a 25-yard touchdown with five seconds left in the second quarter. Ross high-pointed the ball with several Cardinals around him for a 17-3 lead.
“That was an incredible play,” Satterfield said. “He [Ross] has been doing that to everybody.”
Clemson finished with 551 yards of offense, including 298 rushing yards.
“They are a high-powered offense with a lot of talent,” Satterfield said.
Overmatched Line
Louisville had the third-ranked rushing attack in the ACC, but Clemson didn’t allow the Cardinals to get any running game going. Louisville finished with 156 rushing yards, but had just 70 rushing yards through the first three quarters.
“We didn’t do anything on offense,” Satterfield said. “We have to do a lot better to make plays.”
Clemson had a key stop on fourth-and-1 on Louisville’s opening possession of the second half. The Tigers had 11 tackles for a loss.
The Cardinals went into the game averaging 227 rushing yards.
Cunningham or Conley?
Micale Cunningham started for the fifth straight game, but shared possessions at quarterback with Evan Conley. Neither quarterback got comfortable against a Tiger pass rush that came in waves.
“I don’t think either one of them played great today,” Satterfield said. “I think they played some of their worst ball this year, but we will give Clemson a lot of credit for that.”
Cunningham completed 4 of 11 throws for 63 yards while Conley went 4 of 11 for 44 yards. Conley led both of Louisville’s scoring drives.
Cunningham lost a fumble and was intercepted in the first quarter while Conley threw an interception in the fourth quarter.
Hawkins continues
Javian Hawkins became the third running back in program history to have four games of 100 plus yards in his freshman year. Hawkins finished with 129 yards and a touchdown.
His most productive drive came when the game was well out of reach in the fourth quarter, taking carries for 12, 19 and 25 yards while finishing the drive with a 3-yard touchdown.
What it means
Louisville drops to 2-2 in conference play and 4-3 overall while Clemson extends its winning streak to 22 games. The Cardinals were riding some momentum into the game with conference wins in consecutive weeks, but Clemson remains well-above anyone else in the ACC.
The Cardinals still have opportunities on the schedule for conference wins in search of a bowl eligibility. Louisville hosts Virginia next week before road trips against Miami and NC State.
Louisville hosts Syracuse in its final conference game and travels to Kentucky.
