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Six Winners and Two Losers from Louisville’s Win against Virginia

By Joshua Tipton

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 17: Marshon Ford #83 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball after catching a pass for a touchdown against the UCF Knights at Cardinal Stadium on September 17, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 17: Marshon Ford #83 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball after catching a pass for a touchdown against the UCF Knights at Cardinal Stadium on September 17, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Winners

Scott Satterfield

Coach Satterfield is on the ropes. He needed this win. According to Coach’s hot seat, an online forum that tracks coaches about to be sacked, Satterfield was 10th on their hot seat board before today’s win. Today he’s dropped to 22nd. Satterfield needs to go 500% from here on out to have any possibility of being retained. Louisville’s remaining schedule is against all top 25 teams except Pittsburgh, who Louisville faces on the 22nd of this month. They will need to win three of the next six games; otherwise, it’s doubtful Satterfield will be returning in 2023.

Malik Cunningham

It’s easy to overlook the contribution of a guy like Malik. Until Saturday, Malik Cunningham made a Louisville record 40 starts in a row. When Malik returns on the 22nd against Pittsburgh, there shouldn’t be any doubt who Louisville’s starting quarterback will be for the rest of 2022. Brock Domann did an admirable job as a fill-in, but the two interceptions and minor mental errors make it clear he has some work to do before he is ready to be the starter. Domann got lucky on that long touchdown run but he’s no second coming of Lamar Jackson. Take away that run-and-score, and his numbers aren’t great. They are mediocre at best. We are lucky to have a guy like Domann behind Malik. He’s shown he can fill in when needed, but Malik is the Cardinal’s X-Factor. He’s got a better arm and is a more accurate passer. What he can do on the ground may be unmatched in college football.

Marshon Ford

Louisville has needed more production from the TE position. On Saturday, Ford was clutch in providing that. He recorded four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. Of the four balls caught, his long was 32 yards, and his average was 23.3 yards per catch. It’s nice to see a local kid produce. Marshon Ford is a redshirt junior from Ballard with another year of eligibility thanks to covid. He’s started 2022 slow after having a strong 2021 campaign, finishing the year with 49 receptions for 550 yards. He was named third string All-ACC last year.

Tyler Hudson

On Saturday, Tyler Hudson had his most productive day as a Cardinal. Seven receptions for 101 yards, which led all Louisville receivers. The transfer from Central Arkansas, Hudson is listed as WR1 on Louisville’s depth chart. If Louisville is going to continue to be successful, Hudson will have to continue to produce like he did on Saturday.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 08: Anthony Johnson #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers is penalized for pass interference while defending a pass intended for Tyler Hudson #0 of the Louisville Cardinals in the end zone in the second half during a game at Scott Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 08: Anthony Johnson #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers is penalized for pass interference while defending a pass intended for Tyler Hudson #0 of the Louisville Cardinals in the end zone in the second half during a game at Scott Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Run Defense

The defense could have played better as a whole unit, but the run defense was nothing less than outstanding. On the ground Saturday, Virginia rushed for 13 yards on 11 carries for an average of 1.18 yards per carry. It doesn’t get better than that. You can’t win in college football without the ability to run. Take that away from a team, and good things begin to happen.

Trevion Cooley

Third on Louisville’s depth chart behind Tiyon Evans and Jawhar Jordan, Cooley’s opportunities in 2022 have been limited. Due to injuries, Cooley was the lead back on Saturday and produced according. Eighteen rushes for 77 yards and one touchdown. Numbers don’t lie, but Cooley also passed the eyeball test. He was impressive.

Losers

Brock Domann

Given Louisville’s impressive win with backups, it’s easy to assume Brock Domann would be getting much of the credit for the success. In a way, he is, but ultimately Domann hurt his stock Saturday. Domann showed he was a capable backup but didn’t convince anyone he could go head-to-head with top teams in the ACC. Brock had multiple throws into double coverage, where a receiver made an extraordinary play, but at some point that decision-making leads to numerous turnovers. After the Virginia game, I don’t see Domann as the replacement for Malik Cunningham.

Team Secondary

Jarvis Brownlee and M.J. Griffin both had interceptions on Saturday, but the team’s secondary gave up over 300 yards passing on Saturday to Virginia. Brennan Armstrong is a fantastic quarterback, but the upcoming competition will be better than Armstrong. Our secondary showed they have some work to prepare for what’s ahead.

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