Louisville football preview: 5 things to watch in the Syracuse game

Sep 1, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino (L) talks to fans during the Card March prior to the game against the Charlotte 49ers at Papa John
Sep 1, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino (L) talks to fans during the Card March prior to the game against the Charlotte 49ers at Papa John /
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Sep 2, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Eric Dungey (2) passes the ball as Colgate Raiders defensive lineman Pat Afriyie (37) defends during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Eric Dungey (2) passes the ball as Colgate Raiders defensive lineman Pat Afriyie (37) defends during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey

Dino Babers’ no-huddle offense might have been a career saver for Eric Dungey. The Orange struggled mightily last season, but this new offense should be able to take them to greater heights in 2016. A large part of that success will be attributed to Dungey.

Dungey was able to to throw for 355 yards and and two touchdowns against Colgate. However, that isn’t even the most impressive stat of the evening. According to ESPN, Dungey was 34-40 passing throughout the game as well. It was an impressive display of accuracy and good decisions making all night long.

At the same time, Syracuse made sure that Dungey had short, comeback routes on almost every passing play. He is able to get the ball out of his hands so quick that Colgate had a hard time adjusting throughout the game. Louisville will need to stay on their assignments to be successful in this game.

It’s going to be important for Louisville’s defense to keep their motor running on defense the entire game. This is not a team that you cannot afford to take a couple plays off on. If the Cardinals can be physical with their corners and disrupt the line of scrimmage, they will have no problem beating an up-and-coming Syracuse football team.

Next: Number Two