Don’t be expecting any in depth analysis here.

It’s late. I’m tired. My eyes are bloodshot from 24 hours of football. It’s well past my bedtime. My stomach hurts because I ate way too much popcorn out of nervousness.

I have no desire to have to wake up in the morning and write about this thing.

And, I’m bummed.

Because the Louisville Cardinals lost their second game in a row in one of the least exciting exhibitions of football I’ve ever seen. Even Joe Tessitore couldn’t muster his usual faux exuberance, though he tried.

Louisville 6, Florida State 16.

 * * * * *

One guy’s take, mine:

Jack Plummer’s pick in the endzone on a drive that started at the Florida State 12 after the Cards smothered the Seminole punter was Not the biggest play of the game. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Florida State →

The victorious ACC Title Game-bound Louisville Cardinals started the second half in a 20-21 hole, no thanks to a missed PAT after a key score with :08 to play before the break.

But they moved the pigskin steadily — more or less — down the field after receiving the kickoff.

Isaac Guerendo, once again providing way way way more than adequate back up to the obviously still injured Jawhar Jordan, had the big play, a 26 buster on a 2d &9 to the Miami 30.

Jack Plummer, iffy all afternoon it seemed (more on that later) completed a couple to Chris Bell and Joey Gatewood. The Cardinals had survived a couple of miscue plays, one a TFL, the other a bad pass on a bad Jeff Brohm play call on 3d & 2 at the Hurricanes’ 22.

4th & 2 at the U 22.

Given the bad juju of what should have been a tied score at intermission, it was imperative that Louisville add to its total. Chasing that point the rest of the way would have manifoldly increased the pressure. Continue reading U of L CardFile: Miami →

It appeared — to my untrained eyes anyway — that Jeff Brohm’s game plan against Virginia was based on a single premise.

That U of L was just better than the Cavaliers.

That a simple game plan, a legit one given the Cardinals recent trajectory, would suffice — run the ball, play dominating defense — then take a day off and prepare for Miami.

If it is true, that attitude filtered down to the squad, which competed with a somewhat blasé attitude.

Until the season was about to fall apart against feisty UVa and their precocious QB, who looks like he should be studying for his driver’s test.

Two sequences in the opening half — during which the D extended it’s No TD Allowed streak to ten — underline my premise.

A 3 & out on the Cards first drive, when they’ve usually been aces.

Jawhar Jordan, on a swing route, blithely running out of bounds. He was uncovered, and could have done the proverbial waltz into the endzone had he simply stayed on the football field.

Which possession ended scoreless after a botched snap a FG play. Continue reading U of L CardFile: Virginia →

Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)/ I really want to know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)/ Tell me who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)/ Because I really want to know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)

I mean, really, maybe Pete Townshend can tell me, who are these guys wearing Louisville Cardinal unis?

Which is the question Smart Guy and I asked each other after Isaac Guerendo’s 39 yard burst for a score on the first play of the 2d Q.

Again when the former Badger turbo-accelerated like Don “Big Daddy” Garlits in his top fuel dragster for a 60 yard blast on the Cards third drive of the afternoon. Which dumbfounding run was unfortunately nullified by a hold.

Still, the exclamatory mutual query applied.

Yet again upon the occasion of his 39 yard blitz for their final TD in an it-was-never-even-close 34-3 decimation of Virginia Tech.

Jawhar Jordan, dinged up, was held to rushing numbers of mere mortals.

No problem. Guerendo 11 carries, 146 yards. Continue reading U of L CardFile: Virginia Tech →

Well then. Now that’s what you might call a pretty solid performance.

OK, delete the word “might.”

Totally controlling the game from opening kickoff, the 7-1 Louisville Cardinals skunked Duke, 23-0.

It was kind of a joyously boring football game.

And ain’t that fun. Despite the inclemency.

There are times when the bug gets you, times when it’s buzzin’ on the other sideline.

Talking about Arthropoda Insecta Musca Injuriousica. 

The injury bug.

It now becomes even clearer how the absence of Jawhar Jordan and Renato Brown impacted Louisville’s lackluster performance against Pitt. Though it wasn’t the only reason U of L was crushed in that one. Visions of Notre Dame were still floating in their brains.

Nor was the spate of Blue Devil injuries Saturday afternoon the sole reason for the Cardinals’ domination. But it was a significant factor. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Duke →