Had some doubts on this road trip, starting with the rental car with a license plate from Arkansas. Bad omen for a University of Louisville football fan.
We would arrive in Pittsburgh five days later after a whirlwind tour of northern shores of Ohio and Pennsylvania, all bundled up, three to four layers the temperatures hovering between 35 and 40 degrees. Ready for anything, not really knowing what to expect from an oft struggling 5-0 team.
Pitt would make us wonder again about a Charlie Strong defense, starting with the first drive, yielding 83 yards on eight play for a touchdown barely three minutes into the game. But Teddy Bridgewater was wide awake for the 11 a.m. game, connecting on his first four passing attempts, Senorise Perry finishing the drive with a six-yard run.
Bridgewater would remove any doubts about his abilities to throw long or to find DeVante Parker, finding on the first play of the second half with a long, winding spiral on a play that could cover 75 yards. Those two would hook up again three more times for a total of 154 yards. The Louisville quarterback would also find eight other receivers on the way to 304 passing yards.
Senorise Perry would rush for 101 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in the 45-35 win that ended a four-game losing streak to Pittsburgh and a possible end of the series for a while.
Got to do something about that kicking game. Soon. Blocked punts, short kickoffs, abbreviated kick returns are not healthy.
As one heads back to Louisville, one is relieved, wondering why there was doubt, knowing this team, as young as it is, will continue to live on the edge. The days of running over teams ended with the guy who wound up in and got ran out of Arkansas.
Great win by the CARDS!
Had an idea for the observer…something I read about in a West Virginia newspaper (of all places!) WVU and some community partners have formed an ambassadors program for fans of Big 12 schools when visiting Morgantown. According to the article, these volunteer ambassadors have a table set up at the local hotels during football weekends and at the game, to help direct fans of other schools – restaurant recommendations, travel, etc.
Wondering if a similar program at Louisville is something to consider as Boise State, Houston, UCF etc. come to the Ville — there’s obviously a lot to see and do in Louisville and I’m sure it’d leave a favorable impression on fans visiting for the first time.
Nice idea, Steve. Passing it along to a couple of people.
This might be easier in Morgantown as their is quite a bit less Hotels to choose from.
Then, if logistics is a problem for setting up at all of the hotels, then, maybe it could be done at the game.
A couple of memories that will stay with me from this road trip: #1 the feeling of deja vu while sitting in the nosebleed section of Heinz Field, when Pitt scored first. The Panthers’ fans cheering, taunting in confidence, arrogance, sort of like the trip to Morgantown and the Mountaineers scoring so easily — at first. Then, we came back, and those same cocky fans simmered down to a slow seethe. But this time, the opponent would not take us to overtime, nor come back to win. #2: at a Starbucks after this game, so the Observer could make his initial blog post, amusement at the baristas who assumed my Cardinal handbag was for a baseball team. See? Not all people out there live and breathe UofL Cards and red and black. Just saying….
Go Cards!
Our special teams certainly aren’t!
It was nice to see them play in cleats instead of swim fins. 🙂
We looked pretty good, though, I wish we could not let them score so much, gave me the feeling we might let them back in it. Overall, good game, very good win.