Louisville got its home run hire when it plucked Jeff Brohm away from Purdue, and the Cardinals' Week 3 opponent just swung for the fences with its head coaching hire this offseason. After losing Scott Loeffler to the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff, the Bowling Green Falcons went with Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner who spent the last three seasons leading Tennessee State.
While George brings the Bowling Green program major attention, though not quite on the Coach Prime level, the Falcons had to undergo a bit of an overhaul to the roster, particularly after losing superstar tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to the NFL. They may not be as competitive a team in 2025, but the biggest problem that Bowling Green presents to Louisville in Week 3 looks to be at the same position where Fannin starred in 2024.
Florida transfer Arlis Boardingham brings SEC pedigree to MACtion
Arlis Boardingham never quite had his breakout in Gainesville, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound tight end catching just 42 passes across his first two seasons. However, after taking a step down to MAC football, he will have every opportunity as the focal point of offensive coordinator Travis Partridge’s pass-heavy attack and primary target for another SEC transfer, quarterback Drew Pyne.
Pyne arrives at Bowling Green after backing up Brady Cook at Missouri last season. A true college football journeyman, Pyne will be entering his sixth season at his fourth different program, and as a full-time starter for the first time since 2022 at Notre Dame, he’ll likely lean heavily on Boardingham.
Louisville didn’t necessarily struggle against tight ends last season. Arguably the best one on their schedule, SMU’s RJ Maryland, got them for six catches and 83 yards, but they kept Mitchell Evans of Notre Dame, Jake Briningstool of Clemson, and Gavin Bartholomew of Pitt all in check. Plus, the Cardinals return their linebacking core from a year ago, led by TJ Quinn and Stanquan Clark, who should matchup fairly well with Boardingham if forced into coverage.
Still, Boardingham is a former four-star prospect who will be unleashed in a new offense and test the rest of Louisville’s back seven, primarily constructed of transfers.
Louisville should start 3-0 against a relatively soft non-conference schedule. In that three-game start, the Falcons likely aren't the biggest threat of pulling an upset, but players like Boardingham could reveal a blueprint for how to attack Ron English’s defense in 2025 if the Falcons have success.