What socially distanced Louisville football is like

A quick review of Louisville football, socially distanced.

Louisville football… but make it 2020.

I was one of (roughly) 12,000 people who got to see Louisville football take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Cardinal’s season opener.

Here are a few takeaways.

It was weird. First of all, it was just odd. The atmosphere was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I think there was a bit of gratitude for the fact that we even got to be there. Still, sitting spaced out, wearing masks, in a mostly-empty stadium for a season opener is about as odd of an experience as I’ve had at a Louisville sporting event.

The start didn’t help. If you want to take care of business against a less talented team, it’s highly suggested you don’t give them the ball inside your one yard line after a quick three and out to start the game.

“Micale Malik” Cunningham is legit. That’s how he introduced himself during Louisville’s starting lineups, thus furthering confusion around what to call the dude. However, his family, friends, and teammates call him Malik, so we will just ride with Malik for now.

Regardless of what you call him, Cunningham showed marked improvement in his decision-making skills on Saturday. I personally feel that if he continues on this trajectory, he will at least warrant some Heisman buzz.

I miss Sean Moth. The 22-year veteran became such a pro in the press box, that his calls were just a part of the game. His voice was always dialed in; always the perfect tone for every situation and always booming throughout the stadium.

With that said, new PA announcer Michael Lattin did a fantastic job in his first appearance. Let’s face it, freaking Michael Buffer could have been behind the mic shouting “let’s get ready to tacklleeeee,” and fans still would have taken issue with it. Lattin was professional, and made a solid impression on me.

Lattin, thankfully, kept his own version of the “Cards first down” call. He also has added a nice touch with a “It’s thiirdddd downnn” call on defense- which I absolutely love. It was time to do away with the Van Halen piano riff and a reluctant crowd getting on its feet to a song that simply doesn’t fit the moment. Lattin exceeded my expectations.

Fans did great wearing their masks. I didn’t think Cards fans would do a good job of keeping socially distanced and wearing their masks, and I was glad to be proven wrong.

I, admittedly, am a mask stickler when in public, but I was pretty damn irritated by the second quarter between the humidity and rain keeping a little too much moisture on my face. Still, everyone near me truly did a great job of staying apart and keeping masks on. Well done, folks.

Mask tip. If you find yourself at a game this year, bring multiple masks and use them interchangeably.

The band and cheer squads stayed in the stands. This was maybe the weirdest part for me. The marching band didn’t march. The lady birds watched from above section 109 as a pre- taped video of their routine played on the big screen. Louie was relegated to high above section 221 for the entire game. That was an odd experience.

I miss the beer. No draft beer this year, folks. It’s understandable to keep social distancing, but damn, I miss that sweet Cardinal Stadium nectar.

The newcomers are legit. We will get into this a lot more this week, but the Louisville football newcomers are absolutely legit and I could not be more impressed with the coaching staff’s eye for talent.

Wide receiver Braden Smith lived up to the billing with 4 catches for 110 yards. JUCO product Yaya Diaby started and was impressive, flying off the ball and making a couple of solid plays. Liberty transfer Kei’Trel Clark also started and lived up to the offseason hype.

Then there’s last years transplants that have taken another step forward. JUCO transfer Monty Montgomery is just a stud. He had 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Arizona transfer Isaiah Hayes was very impressive in a starting role, accounting for the second-most tackles on the team. Vandy transfer Ean Pfeifer now has three catches in a Louisville uniform and three touchdowns.

Every one of these players was unranked or a two star product coming out of high school, and most of them got no love when they hit the transfer market. Yet the coaching staff identified their talent and turned them into starters and leaders on the team.

Special teams were doomed from the start. New punter Logan Lupo has received high praise from teammates and the coaching staff. Lupo was pushed back to his own goal line in a steady rain for his first-ever punt, and his mishandling of the snap cost the Cardinals dearly. From that point on, you could tell Lupo was a bit shaky.

If it weren’t for that initial drop and a blocked punt later in the game, the Cardinals would have won by a much wider margin. Once Lupo gets a game of solid snap exchanges under his belt, Louisville should be just fine.

The Louisville athletic department was on top of it. The ACC teams with fans in the stands this year are few and far between. When you see the hoops that Louisville had to jump through to make it happen, you begin to understand why. Still, things were handled extremely well from start to finish.

Everything is socially distanced; seats, concessions lines, toilets… everything. My temperature was taken. My neighbors were reminded to wear their masks. There was a whole team of staffers walking around spraying down the aisle ways and wiping heavily-trafficked areas. Security kept track of what seats were supposed to be empty and asked people who linked up in my section to move back to their assigned seats.

You could not possibly be any safer in a crowd of 12,000 people than at a Louisville football game this year. That’s a testament to the great work of the Louisville athletic department.

If you get a chance to, go to a game this year. If for no other reason, experiencing a game amid a worldwide pandemic is a surreal experience to have had.