Louisville Football: 3 impact players against Duke
By Caleb Hall
![Oct 7, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Kameron Wilson (15) celebrates a sack with defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte (9) during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports Oct 7, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Kameron Wilson (15) celebrates a sack with defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte (9) during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/dd2cf27615db01f5124a949b33ba99de04b774649fa509b3b16cb86946a60344.jpg)
Louisville will needs its best players to step up in a top 20 matchup against Duke
Louisville will take on the #20 Duke Blue Devils this weekend and it is likely the biggest game left on the Cardinals remaining schedule. While games against Kentucky and at Miami are also very important, this game against Duke can be Louisville’s moment to shine into the top 15 of college football, and show that Florida State and North Carolina should be scared of them going into November.
Star players on the Louisville offense like Jamari Thrash, Jawhar Jordan, and Jack Plummer have been very important for the Cardinals all season, and they can’t fold against this Duke defense. The same goes for the leaders on the defense like Ashton Gillotte, Quincy Riley, and TJ Quinn. Who need to play as good as they can against a good rushing Duke offense.
Here are Louisville’s 3 impact players that you should look out for against Duke:
No. 3: Ashton Gillotte
Ashton Gillotte has been the leader of the defensive front this season, but he needs to get back on track against a very good Duke front and rushing attack. Gillotte tore apart the Notre Dame offensive line a few weeks ago, tallying 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in the win. However, against Pitt, Gillotte only had 0.5 tackles for loss and 3 tackles overall. If Gillotte gets going it will ignite the defense, it has been like this almost all season long. In the Notre Dame and NC State game the Cardinals got to the quarterback and held the opponents rushing attack to low yardage. If Gillotte has a good game and gets the rest of the defense going, then it will be very beneficial to the Cardinals.
Duke’s rushers will be difficult to stop, but if Ashton Gillotte gets going it will be difficult for Duke to get anything on the ground. Or even throw the ball with all of the havoc in the backfield.