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Louisville football: How the Cards can beat Miami

By Will Reddington

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 01: Gerald Christian #18 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball while defended by Raphael Kirby #56 of the Miami Huricanes during the game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 1, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 01: Gerald Christian #18 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball while defended by Raphael Kirby #56 of the Miami Huricanes during the game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 1, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 19: Chez Mellusi #27 of the Clemson Tigers runs for a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 19: Chez Mellusi #27 of the Clemson Tigers runs for a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Avoid giving up big plays on defense

Miami’s offense and defense are completely different stories as Manny Diaz’s offense have had a much tougher time in 2019.

Miami currently sits ranks 87th in the nation in total offense while ranking 120th in rushing offense averaging just 111.3 yards per game, 35th in passing offense at 269.3 yards per game, and most importantly dead last in 3rd down conversion percentage.

In a season where the Hurricanes have switched quarterbacks multiple times, playing both N’Kosi Perry and Jarren Williams, the big play through the passing game has been there but not consistently while the rushing offense has been just about non-existent behind DeeJay Dallas.

For Louisville, the formula to beating Miami seems simple; Don’t give up big plays. Two of Miami’s three touchdowns against Florida State came on 39 and 56-yard passing plays that resulted in ultimately putting the game out of reach for the Seminoles. Outside of those two plays, they only accounted for 258 more additional yards and it may have been a completely different contest had Florida State been able to stop them.

Things were extremely similar during the Pittsburgh game as Miami looked like they may be leaving with a loss until a 32-yard touchdown pass with only 58 seconds left gave the Hurricanes a late four-point lead.

https://twitter.com/CanesFootball/status/1190789140805230592

Louisville has had issues giving up the big play this season but may have fixed those last time out against Virginia as they slowed down Bryce Perkins and the Virginia offense considerably. Each week they’ve stepped onto the field they’ve looked more and more comfortable playing the Bryan Brown style of offense and it’s paid off in forcing turnovers, causing sacks and hurried passes on the quarterback, and making big third-down stops.

If Louisville’s front seven can contain DeeJay Dallas it will make things much easier on the secondary to stop (or slow down) Jeff Thomas and K.J. Osborn, who will likely be the second fastest group of receivers the Cards will see this season.

Last week Louisville consistently kept a more dynamic Cavalier offense in front of them and to repeat the outcome against Miami they’ll have to do it once again.

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