Life among college football’s 10 top ranked teams comes with numerous benefits, among them having University of Louisville football be a frequent topic on a wide range of sports broadcasts on national TV and radio.
Perhaps the best part is having UofL football games picked up on a weekly basis by ESPN and/or ABC television. Especially nice when one is out of state and traveling as we were during the Louisville-Boston College game on Saturday.
Returning home on a Delta flight after seeing grandson Koby at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla. A minor snafu having two people by my name assigned to the same seat. Easily remedied because the other person was female, and the manifest indicated her seat was further back in the airplane.
That situation resolved delighted to discover that satellite television was available on the big Boeing 737. No need to mess with the laptop or unpredictable Internet service. ESPN2 is carrying the game, the broadcast is free, and the picture is great.
One of those games where everything goes right, right from the opening coin toss, UofL winning the flip, getting the ball on offense, quarterback Lamar Jackson breaking open on the third play from scrimmage, dashing 69 yards for Louisville’s first touchdown.
Obvious that UofL is focused, following a close call against Virginia in the previous game and a disappointing seventh place rating by the college playoff selection committee. Highly motivated, more than a little miffed, ready to punish someone and Boston College is in the way.
Jackson could do little wrong, accounting for seven touchdowns for the third time in a game this season. He would keep the ball 15 times, rack up 185 yards and score three touchdowns on the ground. His receivers, including James Quick, were holding on to the ball in this game, allowing him to complete 12 of 17 passes for 231 yards and four more touchdowns.
Quick, nearing the end of his college career, pulling in three passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Just what he needed after a dismal performance last week. Jaylen Smith picking up where he left off against Virginia, catching six passes for 123 yards and another touchdown this week. Cole Hikutini with a couple of receptions and a TD as well.
Coach Bobby Petrino had indicated his team had had a good week of practice, and appeared to be really focused. There was no better evidence of that than going an entire game without a single penalty.
Final score: Louisville 52, Boston College 7.
Quite a show, and the best possible distraction from cramped airline seats and a three-hour-plus jaunt from Fort Myers to Detroit and back to Louisville. What a great trip.