The game at North Carolina State was expected to provide a barometer of where the University of Louisville stands in the college football landscape. The conclusion following a 39-25 thrashing is not deniable, that the Cardinals are close to being on life support.

Unfortunately UofL has few offensive options than Lamar Jackson in the running game and it’s finally catching up with the Cardinals (Cindy Rice Shelton photos).

An embarrassing offensive performance, with UofL leaning heavily on quarterback Lamar Jackson for everything but returning kickoffs and punts. Jackson running for 102 of Louisville’s 119 rushing yards and passing for 354 yards.

The offensive line, which was supposed to be improved, has yet to arrive, giving up four Jackson sacks and losses for 30 yards. Making it even more difficult for running back Malik Williams and Reggie Bonnafon, getting only 10 handoffs for 44 yards between them.

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UofL’s passing defense is almost non-existent as well, consistently giving up 300 yards through the air to four Power Five opponents. Scenes of UofL defenders flailing at receivers, allowing opponents to march down the field at ease, have become commonplace.

Jackson, who was supposed to be older and smarter, is older but his decisions aren’t getting any better. Those short bullet passes to receivers aren’t any easier to handle and the overthrows down field are becoming more frequent. He completed only 26 of 48 passing attempts against NC State.

One want to give him credit for hanging on to the ball, with no fumbles, but that one interception in the fourth quarter was a game clincher for the Wolfpack. By then UofL was totally predictable and a pick six was inevitable.

What once appeared to be a light football schedule is now a barricade. The immediate future littered with “formidable” opponents like Boston College, Wake Forest, Florida State, Virginia, Syracuse and Kentucky. None of them no longer considered sure wins.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

5 thoughts on “Sure wins have disappeared from UofL football schedule”
  1. I will be blunt, I think Bobby Petrino has peaked and has lost his edge. He needs to retire.

  2. Offense–Defense–Special Teams? What has gone wrong, and since what event? Can you answer that riddle, Charlie? Is it teamwork, attitude, skill? Did the coaches suddenly get dumb or disinterested? Did the players lose some skills? Or is it the bad air around school?
    We each have our theories, but what matters is WHEN IS THE TEAM GOING TO ALL GO THE SAME DIRECTION? When will they hear and respond with ONE VOICE AGAIN?
    There is a very short period of time to get it together, or this year will look like the end of last year! That would be a shame for the young men. A great, proven AD could shed some light on this, if we still had one… So, we’re relying on YOU, Charlie!

    1. The most illogical explanation I can come up with John is that UofL is in this super gynormous biorhythm cycle that has been stuck on a downward slide for the last two years. The difference between Petrino’s teams now and then is night and day and it’s not looking that great for the foreseeable future. The only is that the biorhythm cycle heads upward again someday still in our lifespans.

  3. Our team is starting to look like a Chinese fire drill. Petrino lost the last three games of the 2016 season. The 2017 season is beginning to look like a bust, too. This is Bobby Petrino’s 4th year and we are not seeing the teams he field in his first days at Louisville. I am concerned and wondered does he have what it takes to win at the next level? So my question is how much longer do we wait for him to get his act together? My gut says he has lost his drive. Hence, we may soon need to get a hard-nosed Southern Football College.

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