Louisville football game balls: Who shined against Notre Dame?
By Jacob Lane
Game ball: Javian Hawkins
A game ball really could, and should be given to the entire rushing statistical category. However, since that is hard to do, I’m going to give the first-ever Big Red Louie game ball to Javian Hawkins.
Two weeks ago we didn’t think there was a shot that anyone besides Hassan Hall would be the primary ball carrier for the Cards. We knew that the offense was going to run the ball, and do so in a lot of different ways, but I don’t think anyone expected them to have the success that they did against Notre Dame, especially with a redshirt freshman running back who was playing his first meaningful snaps as a Cardinal.
Right from the start, Hawkins looked like he was going to have a big night.
Despite his smaller stature at just 5’9, 182-pounds, Hawkins showed the potential to become the true workhorse back this offense needed. Whether it was through the tackles, outside, in motion, an RPO handoff or out of the backfield option, when Hawkins got the ball he showed the ability to break free for big runs constantly showing why he has the nickname “Playstation.” His best run of the evening came on a 3rd and five where Louisville desperately needed to keep the ball moving, picking up a huge gain of 44 yards and helping the team land in a good position to score – which they ultimately did.
Hawkins finished the game with 122 yards on 19 carries and became the first running back to go over 100 yards against an FBS opponent since Darius Ashley did so against West Virginia back in 2009.
Javian Hawkins is the first freshman running back for Louisville to rush for 100 yards in a game since L.J. Scott in a 66-21 win vs. Murray State on Sept. 6, 2014, and the first vs. an FBS opponent since Darius Ashley in a 17-9 loss at West Virginia on Nov. 7, 2009.
— Kelly Dickey (@RealCardGame) September 3, 2019
Hassan Hall had a nice game in his own regard. Though he didn’t end up being the leading rusher like we all expected, he carried the ball 10 times for 69 yards, averaging over 6 yards per carry. Jawon Pass also showed a much-improved running attack, picking up 67 yards and two touchdowns of his own on the ground.
All in all, it was incredible to see Satterfield and offensive coordinator Dwayne Ledford establish the ground game very early on, doing so in a way that looked like Louisville was a borderline top 25 team against one of the top defenses in the country.
Javian Hawkins had what will likely be one of many big games as a Louisville running back this season.