Big Red Louie
Fansided

Louisville football: Five offensive players with most to prove in 2020

By Alex Payton

MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Micale Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Micale Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 05: Micale Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals throws a pass in the game against the Boston College Eagles at Cardinal Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 05: Micale Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals throws a pass in the game against the Boston College Eagles at Cardinal Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Micale Cunningham – QB

The quarterback will always have a lot to prove, and this is no different for the Cards next season. Micale (former known as Malik) Cunningham, along with Jawon Pass, walked into a tough spot in Louisville having to follow the Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. Under Bobby Petrino, there was no standout in the two-win season after Jackson went to the NFL. Fans were starting to think we would need a top recruit at the position for the offense to find success.

However, Coach Satterfield has proved effective in taking advantage of the talent that was on the field. Cunningham had a monster breakout year with over 2,000 yards passing and over 400 yards rushing, while leading the nation in completions over 70, 80, and 90-yards on way to helping the Cards finish with the fourth best offense in the ACC with over 447 yards of total offense per, including 234-plus passing yards per game.

Not only will Cunningham be stepping into a more familiar offense with the entire offensive coaching staff back for year two, but the Cardinals will be returning two of his favorite targets in Dez Fitzpatrick and Tutu Atwell, along with rising junior h-back, Marshon Ford.

As the guys here at BRL have acknowledged, Cunningham may legitimately be the biggest dark horse Heisman contender from the ACC.

As Kelly Dickey tweet below, what Cunningham did in 2019 was borderline special (considering the circumstances) and it will likely lead an even bigger season and more production from the junior.

If the performance of Cunningham in the Music City Bowl showed us anything, it’s that the second-year starter is just reaching the brim of his potential as a quarterback. Against an SEC defense, he went 16-23 with 279 yards passing and two touchdowns, doing so on a variety of NFL quality throws.

Many games last season, Satterfield stayed a bit conservative with his play calling but this year a little more trust will be put behind the quarterback. As long as Cunningham stays healthy, he will be a key to the Cardinals’ success in 2020. Much of the offenses’ success will start with his play-making ability, and he will have a lot to prove.

Home/Louisville Football