By Paul Sykes
With all apologies to Joe Pesci and the cast of “My Cousin Vinnie” , the University of Louisville football team will be concerned with two Utah players.
- Quarterback Terrance Cain leads a Utah team that is 29th in total offense in the country. In three games, he’s thrown for over 700 yards and rushed for a buck fifty-nine. Cain was a JUCO All-American last year and has had no trouble adapting to Mountain West Conference football. Louisville will be best served if they can keep Cain from scrambling and make him throw from the pocket.
- Matt Asiata hauls the rock for the Utes and had run for 304 yards in three games this year. He was the Utes leading rusher last year and the junior also directs the Utah version of the “wildcat” when the Utes are in red zone territory.
- Both of these guys benefit from a strong offensive line that returns three starters from last year. If they have a weakness, it is pass protection and Louisville can force the issue on the Utes offensive progress if they can get pressure on Cain.
Louisville must continue the success it had with the running game against Kentucky and Burke’s progression as a starter if they hope to beat the Utes. The defense will have its hands full with the shifty Cain and Asiata on the ground. If they can shut down Utah receivers, they may be able to stack the box to limit the run and create some three and outs against the Utes.