Three New Year’s resolutions for Louisville athletics

Fix Malik Cunningham’s turnover woes

We know the young man is plenty talented and capable of holding on to the football. He did it so well in 2019. Despite not being a full-time starter the entire season, Malik Cunningham only threw 5 interceptions the whole year and looked like he was turning a major corner as a player.

Cunningham is likely returning to be the starter once again in 2021. He left us with huge moments at the end of 2019 that led us to believe that he was going to be a very successful player at Louisville with a little bit more development.

Specifically, the bowl game against Mississippi State showed off his talent throwing 16-for-23 for 279 yards and two touchdowns passing. He also had 81 yards rushing in the game. The stock arrow was up.

In 2020, despite a decent completion percentage (64.1 percent). Cunningham struggled to take care of the football throwing 12 interceptions in just 11 games. He was a reckless thrower of the ball that believed he could make plays work that simply were not there.

He has incredible talent as an athlete and possesses an above average arm for a college quarterback. Had he not turned the ball over so much, he would have been looking at even more touchdown production and possibly NFL Draft buzz.

If 2021 is to be a year of success for Cunningham, his crippling turnovers need to disappear in a hurry. His rope is sure to be much shorter this coming season after frustration within the fanbase grew more as Cunningham failed to take care of the football and gave away wins that resulted in a four win season.

Following Lamar Jackson’s act from 2015-17 was never going to be an easy task. Cunningham has what you want in a modern day college quarterback and the ability to dazzle on a national scale. He could put any questions about his abilities to rest with an improved 2021 campaign

Our third and final New Year’s resolution… get those turnovers corrected and watch the offense thrive.