Big Red Louie
Fansided

Louisville football: How the Cards will beat Kentucky in the Governor’s Cup

By Will Reddington

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 24: Lynn Bowden Jr #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball while defended by C.J. Avery #9 of the Louisville Cardinals on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 24: Lynn Bowden Jr #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball while defended by C.J. Avery #9 of the Louisville Cardinals on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 26: Boosie Whitlow #49 and Tabarius Peterson #29 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrate during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers on October 26, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 26: Boosie Whitlow #49 and Tabarius Peterson #29 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrate during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers on October 26, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Louisville will stop Kentucky’s dynamic run game

For the defense, it’s as simple as that, stop the run. Kentucky has three running backs that are all effective in different ways and their most dynamic rusher will be taking the snaps. Bowden is in the running for the award that goes to the nation’s most versatile player. He’s gone over 99 yards rushing in every game he’s started at quarterback for the Wildcats. He’s thrown for over 100 yards only once, while throwing for less than 27 yards three different times.

Kentucky’s rushing attack is creative and balanced. Everyone gets carries and although it’s a lot of running, it’s far from being easy to stop. Coach Satterfield and the Louisville staff will have their work cut out for them, Louisville hasn’t exactly been great against the run this season. The Cardinals are ranked 87th in total rush defense.

Louisville as a team has to stay disciplined and has to be consistently focused on their keys to get off the field on Saturday. They can really mess up what Kentucky wants to do with some tackles for loss. Forcing UK into 2nd and 14 and 3rd and nine type plays gives Louisville a way better chance of keeping the Cats off of the scoreboard.

Dorian Etheridge has been special for the Louisville defensive front 7 lately, look for him to be all over the field, just as he was against NC State and Syracuse, and to make a major impact Saturday afternoon.

Be prepared to watch a completely shot gun version of Navy’s offense on Saturday. It’s going to be a very physical game, Louisville has to tackle well and has take advantage of every single down defensively. You will see a lot of the same plays over and over again, Kentucky knows what they do well and they will do a lot of it. The Russ Yeast injury is a huge blow to this Louisville team. But if there was ever a week where you could survive an injury in the secondary, it’s this one against the Wildcats.

Home/Louisville Football