Louisville football: 3 things to watch vs. North Carolina State
Penalties being eliminated?
This was the story coming into the season. Louisville had several weaknesses in 2018. But perhaps the most daunting of the issues: penalties. The Cardinals were dead last in the NCAA in the penalty category last season. This year, there has been an improvement.
Last week, we witnessed a slight relapse. The Cardinals committed 14 infractions Saturday, costing them 121 yards. This was the worst performance of 2019 in that sense. Things have to improve this weekend against the Wolfpack to emerge victoriously.
Louisville only had 13 penalties once last year.
— Keith Wynne (@Keith_Wynne) November 9, 2019
NC State hasn’t been flawless in this category themselves. They’ve committed 57 penalties this season, costing them 490 yards. In comparison to Louisville, the Cards have had 65 penalties for a loss of 545 yards.
Neither of these teams are world beaters in this category. But in a game where Louisville appears to be the better team going in, the Cards can’t beat themselves. An offense that leans on the rushing attack as much as Louisville’s can’t afford to be in those long yardage, 2nd and 3rd downs. The defense can’t afford to give the opponent extra chances to score, given their struggles this year.
If Louisville can win or at least stay close in this category, they’ll have a great chance to leave Raleigh victorious. Louisville has to make a reeling NC State team beat them and cannot beat themselves.