3. Avoidable penalties continue to rear their ugly head
Mistakes were the name of the game early on in this game for the Cardinals. Let’s start with penalties. On one drive, two offensive holding penalties negate 30+ gains on plays to Caullin Lacy, and one illegal shift negates a 15+ yard play to tight end Jaleel Skinner. Chris Bell had his own mental lapse when he was called for an offensive pass interference on a broken play from the line of scrimmage.
Physical mistakes, such as the muffed punt return by Lacy early in the 1st quarter, are going to happen. It's human nature and simply a part of the game. However, these back-breaking penalties at inopportune times are absolutely unacceptable, especially in future games where every single yard is crucial for the offense. Louisville has a history of being a high penalty earner under coach Brohm. If the Cardinals want to compete in high-stakes ACC games this season and return to the ACC title game, the penalty situation has to improve.