Louisville football game balls: Who shined against Notre Dame?

Game ball: 3rd down

So that’s what it’s like to have a defense? It’s been so long since Louisville had a defensive coordinator who had any sense of what they were doing in what feels like forever and MAN was it nice.

Coming over from App State with Scott Satterfield, Bryan Brown brought youth, excitement, and an energy that we haven’t seen on the sidelines for the Cards since the Charlie Strong days. With a defense built on “wreaking havoc” and flying to the football, we knew that with time the defense could develop into something special, despite the lack of depth.

But no one can convince me that they expected the group to be that competitive, that quick, especially against a top 10 offense potential Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback.

Though the first drive was rough, Louisville quickly got things going including a three and out(!!!!!) on the second defensive possession of the game.

Quick note. I was PUMPED on the first down of the evening as were most fans. Getting Notre Dame to third and long on the second drive of the game was a huge accomplishment and it was to be celebrated.

But all I cared about was the third-down music. Would it change? Or would I hear that same annoying stroke of the keys signaling Van Halen once again?

Then the music played. IT WAS NEW. But, the crowd was so damn loud I literally couldn’t hear it. It would be the same way for the rest of the game. To this point and time, I still have zero idea what song(s) played.

Regardless, Louisville gave up some chunk plays throughout the game, enough obviously for Notre Dame to pull out a 35-17 victory. But overall, Louisville’s defense was solid.

They forced five punts, including four three and outs (Louisville forced just a combined five punts over the course of their final three games last season, including only one three and out) two of which came back-to-back late in the game.

The praise of the inside linebackers was well deserved, as both CJ Avery and Dorian Etheridge were solid in tackling in the open field, as was Monty Montgomery. Not to mention the defensive line did just enough to get stops in short-yardage situations.

All together Louisville forced Notre Dame to just 5/12 on third-down conversions, which is one of those “silver linings” or “moral victories” if you’re into those kinds of things.

They did this against a top 10 team in the first game of the season, playing together as a group under a new coach for the first time. That alone should give every fan hope for what is to come this season, if healthy.