By Paul Sykes
Another football game for Louisville, another major challenge for coach Steve Krathorpe.
Arkansas State is the next opponent Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The Jonesboro team is 2-4 on the season and this will be their fourth non-conference game of the year.
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The Red Wolves got the season off to a big start by rolling over visiting Mississippi Valley State 61-0 but followed that contest up with losses to Nebraska, Iowa, Troy and Louisiana-Monroe before beating Florida International University for homecoming last week. They kept Iowa close on the road, losing 24-21.
The Red Wolves average 25.8 points per game, while allowing opponents 19.7. They run the ball for an average of 159.3 per contest and opponents gain but 96.7 against them on the ground. Reggie Arnold leads the running game with 440 yards this year, averaging about 72.0 a game. The Red Wolves have fumbled 17 times in their six games, losing eight of them.
Through the air, Arkansas State throws for 184.7 yards a game while giving up 234.5 yards to opposing offenses. Cory Leonard is the starting quarterback and has tossed six touchdown passes. He’s only thrown three interceptions.
The running game could be the key for both teams if the expected soggy weather conditions live up to predictions. The Louisville running game could end up in the hands of red shirt freshman Darius Ashley, who led the Cards in rushing against Cincinnati last week.
I see a close game early, with U of L finally putting a strong second half together and outdistancing the Red Wolves 28-13. Sonja is not so certain and has the Cards barely squeaking by the SunBelt foes 35-32.
Arkansas State has not allowed a 100 yd. rusher this season. With Anderson most likely out and Powell “dinged up” (to use a Kragthorpe-ism) that streak will most likely continue.
At QB, it’s the old Abbott and Costello routine again. Froman may go if he’s healthy. Unless Kragthorpe starts Stein. Who might back up Stoudt ot vice versa. What’s the name of the guy on second string? I don’t know. 3rd string. All I want to know is…
Go away rain.
Going with Vegas and Sonya–Cards win 30-27 in OT. And Koach counts it as a proud moment. Go Cards! There’s always 2012…
With the hole Krags has done I think 2014 is more reasonable.
We are now a 2 1/2 point favorite. Since home field counts for at least three that means on a neutral field we would be the dog.
Freaking amazing how far we have fallen. Gee, I wonder to whom we should attribute this.
A test of how bad we really are??? oh , yeah…
I agree with the points above…as I commented a few days ago, Ark St’s running game will be key…and, unfortunately, will be too much for our swiss-cheese defense…it will be another loss.
SteveKo
At this point there is a decent chance Atherton could be a test.