Evaluating Opponents Scoring vs. Louisville in 2014

Mark BlankenbakerOctober 13, 2014

Once again the University of Louisville Football team had a chance to win at the end of a game. For the 2nd time in the 2014 season, the Cards fell in heartbreaking fashion.

Louisville’s defense has played outstanding throughout the season and has given the Cards a chance to win each game. Unfortunately the offense hasn’t played as well and has put UofL in a position to lose with one mistake…..which has happened now twice.

Last week we talked about Louisville Football matching its play to its Defensive Personality. We discussed turnovers, eliminating penalties, winning special teams, allowing the defense to create scoring opportunities, and running hard through the hole. Louisville’s offense won’t (at this time) reliably drive the distance of the field to score. So the Cards MUST limit scoring opportunities for its opponent.

Let’s take a look at Louisville’s 18 scores allowed this season.

As you can see in 6 FBS Games this season the Cards have allowed just 6 Touchdowns…..just 3 of those Touchdowns were allowed by the defense……and only 1 of those TDs was a drive longer than 38 yards. THAT IS CRAZY DEFENSE and it is unbelievable that any team playing this well defensively could lose a game with the caliber of an offensive head coach like Bobby Petrino.

In order to win games moving forward, its simple, make teams drive the ball the length of the field. Stop turning the ball over. Versus Clemson the Punt Return for a TD & the Reggie Bonnafon sack fumble for a TD were the mistakes that the Louisville Offense couldn’t afford to come back from. The Defense got this team an opportunity to win, but the offense put the team in a position where one mistake could cost the Cards the game.

Scoring Summary vs. UofL 2014
Game	Type	Yards Gained	Field Position Started	Ball Obtained
Miami	Touchdown	38	Louisville 38	Punt
Miami	FG	88	Miami 5	Punt
Miami	FG	1	Louisville 8	Gardner Fumble
Virginia	Touchdown	15	Louisville 15	Gardner INT
Virginia	FG	20	Louisville 38	Gardner INT
Virginia	Touchdown	69	Virginia 31	Kickoff
Virginia	FG	7	Louisville 37	Punt
Virginia	FG	0	Louisville 25	Quick Fumble
FIU	FG	54	FIU 35	Kickoff
Wake Forest	FG	26	Wake 49	Bonnafon Fumble
Wake Forest	Touchdown	0	–	Bonnafon Fumble
Syracuse	FG	41	Louisville 42	Bonnafon INT
Syracuse	FG	69	Syracuse 25	Kickoff
Clemson	Touchdown	0	–	Punt Return TD
Clemson	Touchdown	0	–	Bonnafon Fumble
Clemson	FG	24	Clemson 48	Punt
Clemson	FG	55	Clemson 22	Punt
Clemson	FG	68	Clemson 28	Punt