The first indication that the University of Louisville might be in trouble came early in the week, with at least one local analyst who will go unamed, projecting a 6-0 start to the football season, anticipating a major showdown at Clemson in a month.
Not surprisingly, many UofL fans bought into the invincible scenario. Runaway wins in the first two games will have that kind of effect, coming on top of so many wins the past three seasons.
Those soaring expectations came crashing down to earth Saturday with UofL on the wrong side of a 23-21 score against Virginia, a team that had lost 11 straight conference games over the past two seasons. Yes, against the team picked to finish last in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
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Except for the opening drive and a couple of exceptions in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals would spend much of the game starting out inside their five-yard line, managing only 79 yards on the ground and 203 through the air. Probably the lowest offensive output since the Kragthorpe era. Sure felt like it.
The game at Charlottesville was the first road start for Will Gardner, the sophomore quarterback, who will be seeing Virginia linebacker Max Valles in his nightmares over the next few nights. Valles would tip at least five Gardner passes, one of them an interception that would lead to the Cavaliers’ first touchdown.
After the initial drive, Gardner was exposed, often appearing uncertain, intimidated and slow, and rushed in his decision making. But he’s only a sophomore and has the misfortune of following Teddy Bridgewater at Louisville. Regardless, he’s gotta get better quickly if UofL is going to contend for anything in the ACC this season.
The starting assignment might have been Gardner’s last if freshman Reggie Bonnafon had been able to move the offense. That didn’t happen. There were no signs of life during the second and third quarters. Meanwhile, Virginia had tacked another touchdown and a field goal for 20-7 lead at the end of the third.
Having had time to reflect on his collegiate future, Gardner returned in the fourth quarter. Showing a bit more poise, but not much more, he directed two touchdown drives to give the Cardinals a shaky 21-20 lead.
Still time, plenty of it for a Bobby Petrino-coached team after Virginia kicked a field goal, Louisville would get the ball back with 3;41 remaining. Perfect situation, right? Not this day. The confidence had been sucked out of the UofL offense.
Starting with the ball on his 13-yard line, Gardner would have still another pass tipped by Max Valles. Lineman Ryan Mack would totally miss a blocking assignment and Gardner would be sacked on the three. On his final play from scrimmage, Gardner would throw the football at the feet of Gerald Christian and the Cardinals were done.
Petrino has some serious challenges with living up to expectatons on offense this season. “We’re not very good on offense right now,” he said afterward.
Petrino needs to have a serious talk with special teams coaches Matt Lombardi and Tony Grantham.
We are not very deep at any position. CCS did not leave us stocked well on talent like many have claimed he did. This is going to be a rebuilding year, not a reloading year.
Saturday’s game gave a lot of people second thoughts. Petrino won’t put up with second rate football.