Louisville football: 5 final thoughts after loss to Miami

Malik Cunningham won’t max out potential without offensive line improvement

Louisville football’s offense was electric through the air against Western Kentucky last weekend when Malik Cunningham had time to throw from a clean pocket. Going up against a serious edge rusher in DeAngelo Malone, the Cards new bookend tackles Renato Brown and Adonis Boone held their own and helped the Cards grade out as PFF College Football’s top offensive line in week one.

That grade came as a major shock because what I saw early and often throughout that first game had me a little worried. Whether they were rushing four or rushing six, it seemed the Tops were able to get pressure. So, to say the least I was concerned about protecting Cunningham in week two from rushers Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips of Miami.

Sure enough from the get go, Louisville struggled to protect as the Hurricanes were able to get pressure just about every play. The success in the run game forced the blitzing to slow down enough for Louisville to get things going, but throughout the first half the pressure and subsequent forcing Cunningham out of the pocket caused him to struggle.

Accuracy on the run and decision making are two areas where Cunningham needed to show the most growth in his redshirt junior season, and against Miami both of those were significantly challenged.

As the game went on, Cunningham was able to do more with less as he threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, but overall my questions of the offensive line intensified when it came to blocking in the passing game.

Miami’s defense finished with three sacks, four quarterback hurries, as well as another 10 tackles for loss, and were able to force an interception and fumble out of Cunningham.

Satterfield said after the game that he thought Cunningham “played average” overall, citing his botched touch down throw to the wide open Ean Pfeifer in the first half and turnovers that were both caused by being “careless with the ball.”

In two games, Cunningham has already reached the 650 yard mark passing the ball with six touchdowns which is pretty damn good. But think about what could have been had he not had to deal with the insane amount of pressure.

Louisville’s offensive line has only started two games in its current form, so I understand they are trying to find their grove and synchronization. However, if Louisville’s defense is going to give up 34 points per game (their current avg.) that means Cunningham is going to have to be near perfect and to do so he’ll need better pass protection.