On the same day the Kentucky city’s university celebrated the life of its legendary boxing hero, the battle against an NCAA football heavyweight couldn’t have played out any better for the No. 10 Cardinals, who KO’d the No. 2 Florida State Seminoles on Saturday. The Cards forced two turnovers, racked up five sacks and held Dalvin Cook to just 54 yards. Louisville gained 375 total yards in the first half alone after putting up 406 against the Seminoles in the entire game last season. Louisville didn’t let up until long after the game had been decided. In Fisher’s opening statement, when he tried to explain what happened, he also said this: “They found the inches we didn’t find”.
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Jeremy Smith ran for two TDs for the Cardinals, and Jackson was almost unstoppable in piling up 362 yards of offense.
Lamar Jackson has 362 yards and five touchdowns verse the number two team in the nation. This time, they had plays of 24 and 20 yards to cover most of the 68-yard journey.
The strangest sequence of the game involved a first-quarter gaffe by South Carolina State’s Ahmaad Harris on a kickoff return after a Clemson touchdown. Smith had 87 yards on 11 carries, while Wilton Speight was 16 of 30 for 229 yards and a score for MI.
2 in the country coming in, was within 14-10 in the second period.
Florida State: The Seminoles were never in the game after their first TD and figure to fall hard in which they hoped to establish themselves as division favorites and national contenders. Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 158 yards and ran for 146 more but it was unlikely touchdowns from Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne and Eddie Jackson that proved to be the biggest plays of the game.
For good measure, Jaire Alexander tacked on a 69-yard punt return touchdown 71 seconds into the third quarter and a 61-yard return later in the period.
– Ninth-ranked Wisconsin was on its way to an embarrassing loss until backup quarterback Alex Hornibrook led three scoring drives in the second half of the Badgers’ 23-17 triumph over Georgia State. The special teams even looked questionable, albeit two Ricky Aguayo field goals. With so many players stepping up to help Jackson is an encouraging sign as Louisville looks to keep opponents from keying on him.
The Ducks, playing without star running back Royce Freeman since early in the game, made it to midfield on their last possession, failing to convert on fourth down. Perhaps his comment should be what Jackson needs to win a Heisman, and what Louisville needs to make it to the College Football Playoff. On Saturday, though, in his first true road game, the moment and the stage seemed a bit too big for the Seminoles’ signal-caller.
While Jackson is tearing up defenses with the greatest of ease right now, he must be prepared for teams to start making adjustments. The Seminoles still have games with Clemson, Florida and Miami on the schedule, but they have no further margin for error.
Jody Demling of Scout relayed Petrino’s summation of the blowout win. “I’m so happy for these guys”. ESPN analyst and former Louisville coach Lee Corso then brought a huge cheer with his pick as he donned the large Cardinal mascot head. I believe we are looking at our Heisman for this year!
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“I’m not going to panic”, Jimbo said.
