The Cards travel to Nashville this week to square off against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Toppers and Cards are both 1-1 with the Cards just blanking Eastern Kentucky and WKU dispatching the FIU Panthers on Saturday in Miami. WKU’s season started poorly dropping its game against FCS Central Arkansas.
Thus far the Cards have been able to move the ball really effectively on the ground and it’s almost entirely different for Western Kentucky. UofL and WKU both have a problem with their turnover margin and it does appear that Cards fans might be able to expect some excitement in Punt Returns as WKU hasn’t been great at covering (though they do have some impressive punting numbers).
The Cards will put their newly found pass rush to the test at the Hilltoppers get the ball out quickly and have not taken many sacks in the early stages of 2019. The Toppers have also done a really nice job keeping the chains moving converting 48.28% of 3rd downs and UofL with the exception of one drive vs. Notre Dame has been remarkably better on defensive 3rd downs.
Saturday’s game in the Music City will feature two teams with very different approaches and I’ll give the edge to the Cards as their numbers are better against a more difficult schedule to date.
| – | Louisville | Western Kentucky |
| Strength of Schedule (Sagarin) | 82nd | 153rd |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 29.5 (69th) | 24.0 (87th) |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 462.5 (45th) | 413.5 (66th) |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 177.0 (103rd) | 272.5 (42nd) |
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 285.5 (11th) | 141.0 (82nd) |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 17.5 (41st) | 24.5 (66th) |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 297.5 (39th) | 320.5 (47th) |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 117.5 (11th) | 235.0 (80th) |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 180.00 (101st) | 85.5 (25th) |
| Punt Returns (ypr) | 12.33 (30th) | -2.0 (128th) |
| Kickoff Returns (ypr) | 14.75 (104th) | 17.4 (92nd) |
| Opponent Punt Returns (ypr) | -1 (5th) | 9.00 (76th) |
| Opponent Kickoff Return (ypr) | 22.0 (84th) | 13.5 (12th) |
| Punting (ypp) | 42.86 (66th) | 46.88 (14th) |
| Field Goal % | 50.0% (82nd) | 66.67% (67th) |
| Opponent FG % | – | 0% (1st) |
| First Downs (per game) | 22.0 (62nd) | 19.5 (92nd) |
| Opponent First Downs (per game) | 14.0 (19th) | 15.5 (32nd) |
| Penalties (ypg) | 40.0 (29th) | 54.5 (63rd) |
| Turnover Margin (season) | -3 (114th) | -4 (124th) |
| Time of Possession | 29:16.5 (80th) | 34:10.00 (16th) |
| Sacks (Per Game) | 4.00 (10th) | 2.00 (68th) |
| Tackles for Loss (Per Game) | 8.00 (23rd) | 8.00 (23rd) |
| Sacks Allowed (Per Game) | 2.00 (64th) | 0.5 (7th) |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed (Per Game) | 9.00 (120th) | 3.5 (14th) |
| Interceptions Gained (season) | – | – |
| Passes Defended (per game) | 2.00 (109th) | 1.00 (130th) |
| Fumbles Recovered (season) | 1 (60th) | 0 (130th) |
| Fumbles Forced (season) | 1 (64th) | 2 (33rd) |
| Fumbles Lost (season) | 3 (106th) | 0 (1st) |
| Interceptions Lost (Season) | 1 (37th) | 4 (126th) |
| Kick/Punts Blocked (season) | – | – |
| 3rd Down Conversion % | 41.67% (60th) | 48.28% (35th) |
| 4th Down Conversion % | 50.00% (50th) | 0% (97th) |
| Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % | 37.93% (74th) | 25.00% (14th) |
| Opponent 4th Down Conversion % | 0% (1st) | 57.14% (81st) |
| Red Zone Conversion % | 85.71% (64th) | 85.71% (64th) |
| Red Zone TD Conversion % | 85.71% (18th) | 58.33% (76th) |
| Red Zone Trips | 7 (74th) | 7 (74th) |
| Opponent Red Zone Conversion % | 100% (130th) | 66.67% (24th) |
| Opponent Red Zone TD Conversion % | 100% (130th) | 66.67% (78th) |
| Opponent Red Zone Trips | 4 (26th) | 6 (55th) |
| Kickoffs (ypk) | 62.64 (57th) | 39.22 (130th) |
| Plays | 133 (83rd) | 142 (55th) |
| Yards Per Play | 6.95 (25th) | 5.82 (64th) |
| Yads Per Play Allowed | 4.8 (44th) | 5.25 (68th) |
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