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Louisville football: 5 most important players vs. EKU

By Jacob Lane

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 02: Jawon Pass #4 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 02, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 02: Jawon Pass #4 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 02, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – OCTOBER 14: Dez Fitzpatrick #87 of the Louisville Cardinals makes a 48-yard reception in the first quarter of a game against Taj-Amir Torres #24 of the Boston College Eagles at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – OCTOBER 14: Dez Fitzpatrick #87 of the Louisville Cardinals makes a 48-yard reception in the first quarter of a game against Taj-Amir Torres #24 of the Boston College Eagles at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Dez Fitzpatrick

One catch for 10 yards is not the stat line I want to see for Dez Fitzpatrick, nor is that what any coach, player, or fan wants.

Fitzpatrick is without question the number one receiver and one of the most talented over all at the position that the Cards have had in years – and to only go his way a few times against Notre Dame seemed concerning.

However, let’s consider that Notre Dame made it a priority early and often that going to Fitzpatrick wouldn’t be easy – which is why we saw so many targets to Tutu Atwell and Marshon Ford on routes underneath.

This week against an inferior opponent like EKU, getting the ball to Dez Fitzpatrick and build rapport will be crucial for Jawon Pass and the offense. The Louisville offense will never be centered around throwing the football deep or at an extremely high level, but with a guy like Fitzpatrick out wide for Pass who is such a reliable target, ensuring he sees the ball is crucial.

As the season goes on defenses are going to begin to stack the box and plan to stop the run-heavy Louisville offense, the passing game will become even more important. For Pass to succeed at a high level, and for Louisville to win games, Fitzpatrick will have to get back to being a focal point of the offense.

If Pass can get going early and get Fitzpatrick involved on Saturday, I think we could see the offense take an even bigger step as they get ready for a trip to Nashville.

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