PREVIEW: Louisville v. Syracuse

Location: Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium
Surface: Field Turf
Forecast: 55 degrees, Partly Cloudy 0% Chance for Rain
Game Time: 12:30 10-24-2015
CARDMARCH: 10:15 a.m. – Central Ave. Overpass
Line: Louisville -13.5
Series History: Louisville leads 7-6
Last Time: Louisville 28, Syracuse 6  (2014)

ATTENDING

A handful of tickets are available and may be purchased here

CardMarch will happen in its usual location from Central through the tunnel & into Gate 4. Gate 4 will remain open but fans who typically use Gate 4 that require ADA entrances will need to utilize Gates 3 or Gate 5 from the South during the 2015 season as the Thornton’s Academic Center for Excellence Construction is under construction and pathways will be a compacted gravel surface. All entrances EXCEPT Gate 4 will be available for patrons who need assistance.

Additionally, PJCS will continue to provide golf carts in the Green & Bronze lots to & from the stadium. Fans who require assistance should make their way to the West drive lane of the Green/Bronze lots to find the Accessibility Shuttle Service. After the game, the Shuttle Service will assist patrons at Gate 5.

LISTENING

The broadcast will be available on Louisville Sports Properties and the Tune In Mobile App.  The legendary voice of the Cards Paul Rogers will provide play-by-play with Craig Swabek providing color and Doug Ormay from the sideline.  The Louisville broadcast will also be available on Sirius Channel 118 and XM Channel 193.

WATCHING

The television broadcast of Louisville vs. Syracuse will be on the ACC Network (locally on WAVE) Tom Werme will provide play-by-play with Renaldo Wynn providing color and Niki Noto on the sideline.  Fans can also tune in on the WATCHESPN app live and later for replay.

UofL Offense vs. Syracuse Defense

Louisville has faced SIX Top 30 defenses in 2015 in its 8 games (BC #1, Clemson #5, NC State #10, Florida State #24, Houston #30, Wake Forest #31).  The Cards are the #17 Defense themselves, but the fact remains is that a YOUNG offense has been tested by a lot of really solid defensive units in 2015………..Syracuse would not fit as a “Solid Defense”.

Syracuse is 88th in Total Defense giving up 420.4 yards per game and give up yards in the run game as often as they do in the pass game. As you might expect the Orange give up a more than healthy amount of 1st downs and struggle mightily to get off the field on 3rd down.  Additionally SU is one of the worst team defensively in the Red Zone……if you are looking for the bright side Syracuse has done an OK job getting to the Quarterback and making plays from behind the line of scrimmage.

For Louisville, the Cards are the Worst team in the nation giving up Sacks.  Last. Also UofL is near the bottom in giving up TFLs.  A youthful offense going up against 6 (of 8) Top 31 Defenses will do that.  But just because Syracuse’s defense is vulnerable doesn’t mean that the Cards will stop making their errors of immaturity and suddenly turn into Baylor.  But Lamar Jackson should be able to attack Syracuse in the air and I do expect for Jackson to go under center more on Saturday than he has all year in an effort to introduce a new phase of the Cardinal rushing attack.  If the offensive line can buy Lamar time and if Lamar can make the right decision quickly Louisville should be able to control this game and win.

When punting UofL will need to COVER.  Syracuse is OUTSTANDING in punt return.  The Cards can’t afford a special teams gaffe and allow SU to stay in the game.

Syracuse Offense vs. Louisville Defense

Louisville’s Defense have been on and off compared to what Cardinal fans have been accustomed to lately.  But it’s still been good enough to put together the #17 Defense in the nation to this point in the season.  The Cards though, haven’t played a bunch of AWESOME offenses Houston #7, Clemson #19, and Florida State #41 are the only notable offensive squads in 2015.  Syracuse won’t add to that list as the Orange come in at 116th with just 337.3 yards per game.

But the Cards need to come to play.  The Syracuse QB is scrappy and if the Louisville Offense struggles the Orange could hang around and make a play.  SU does not allow a high number of sacks but do allow a high number of TFLs, while UofL is one of the best in the country in both categories.  Additionally Louisville is stubborn giving up 1st downs and Syracuse’s production thus far in 2015 doesn’t suggest that they will challenge the Cards here or on 3rd down. Syracuse does score at a high rate inside the Red Zone, settling mostly for field goals.

My Prediction

The Cards are .500 for the 1st time in 2015 and they need this one.  The game is in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium where the Cards are 2-2 on the season.  UofL can’t afford to lose another game in “The Oven” this season or fans may resort to referring to PJCS as another household utility “The John”.

Louisville’s Defense should be able to minimize the Syracuse Offense and the Louisville Offense should have an easier time than it has for most of the season vs. the Syracuse Defense.  But will the UofL D play inspired or will they put in one of their less than desirable efforts like we’ve seen a handful of times in 2015?  Will the UofL Offense make the self-imposed mistake or will they start fulfilling the promise of their potential?

If things go as we think they will the Cards will win this one without a quickened pulse in the 4th quarter.  If UofL’s Defense doesn’t play like they are capable OR if the Cardinal Offense continues to make youthful mistakes we could have a ball game.

I think the Cards put in a “Business-Like” performance vs. Syracuse.  I don’t think it will be perfect but I do think we’ll see some great focus on both sides of the ball and UofL gets the win.

Louisville 31, Syracuse 17

Stat Comparison

Elvis Dumervil to Have Jersey Honored

Former University of Louisville football standout defensive end and current Baltimore Ravens’ outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil is having his jersey honored at Saturday’s home game against Syracuse that starts at 12:30 p.m.

Dumervil, who played for the Cardinals from 2002-05, spent four seasons as a defensive end and led the team in sacks in 2004-05 and was named the school’s first winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award for being the top defensive player in the country.

A native of Miami, Fla., Dumervil had one of the most dominating seasons in school history in 2005 in leading the Cardinals in their first season in the BIG EAST Conference and an appearance in the Gator Bowl. That year, he set numerous NCAA records and school marks, including a Division I record with 10 forced fumbles. He also compiled 20.0 sacks, with an NCAA-best six against Kentucky.

Dumervil, who is joining 19 other Cardinal greats distinguished in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, was a first-team all-BIG EAST honoree in 2005 in addition to securing league defensive player of the year honors and the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. He also was a finalist for the Lombardi Award.

A product of Miami Jackson High, Dumveril concluded his career with 32.0 sacks, which stands second all-time in school history and 42.5 tackles for loss, which sits third all-time. He finished with 151 career tackles and 11 forced fumbles during his stellar career under the direction of John L. Smith (2002) and current head coach Bobby Petrino.

“Elvis could really rush the passer,” Petrino said. “He is one of my all-time favorite players because he played with such high energy and always had a big smile on his face. His 2005 season was one of the greatest seasons I’ve ever witnessed in coaching, and he is so deserving of this tremendous honor.”

Following his collegiate career, Dumervil was taken in the NFL Draft’s fourth round with the 126th pick by the Denver Broncos.

Competing in his 10th season in the professional ranks, Dumervil is a four-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2011-12 and 2014) and a two-time Associated Press All-Pro selection (2009 and 2014). The 2014 season with the Ravens was one of his best, establishing a Ravens’ franchise-record with a career-high tying 17 sacks, which was third in the NFL. He also totaled 17 sacks with Denver in 2009 when he was named a starter in the Pro Bowl and tallied seven multiple-sack games. While in Denver, he earned the Darren Williams Good Guy Award from the state’s media.

In becoming the 20th honored jersey, Dumervil joins former Cardinal quarterback Johnny Unitas, whose No. 16 jersey is the only retired number at the University and unavailable for future Cardinals to wear.

Louisville vs. Syracuse 2014

PRE-GAME VIDEOS

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Mark Blankenbaker

@UofLSheriff50. Louisville native, University of Louisville Business School Grad c/o 2004. Co-Founder of TheCrunchZone.com

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