Lots of threatening clouds and continuing gusts of wind. Menacing threats all week long from the TV weather guys. Not all that much to be concerned about, however, for diehard University of Louisville football fans at Cardinal Stadium.
Most of the moisture falling in the last five minutes, amounting to not much more than a mild distraction. Louisville claiming still another win in the Atlantic Coast Conference, all three conference wins going down to the final seconds, the final play. The Cardinals finally prevailing, 28-21, improving to 3-2 in the conference and 5-3 overall.
After the win, a Louisville team now needing only one more to be bowl eligible. A team skipping the “needing to learn how to win” phase, rejecting the underdog role, already competitive under the first year coach Scott Satterfield.
The UofL offense shredding a Virginia defense with 227 yards on the ground, against a defense that was allowing only 96 yards per game this season. The Cardinals added 133 more in the air for a total of 360 yards while allowing the Cavaliers 311 yards offensively.
Javian Hawkins became the first UofL freshman ever to exceed 100 yards in five consecutive home games. He was good for 136 yards in 28 carries, including two touchdowns. His final touchdown run of 17 yards at the 2:41 mark providing the margin of victory.
Malik Micale Cunningham staying healthy for an entire game, rushing for 114 yards himself, including a rushing touchdown, while connecting on six of 10 passing attempts for 126 yards. One of those a touchdown heave to Tutu Atwell on a 77-yard pass play.
“Number one, I don’t think we’re good enough to go and blow teams out. We have to fight and claw for everything we get. That’s why every yard we get, we’re not sliding, we’re trying to get it. That’s the way we are offensively,” said Satterfield. “We’re a scrappy bunch. We’re playing for each other and sometimes you’re going to win games like this. Believe me, I would much rather win by three touchdowns…”
Probably one of the more enjoyable games against a highly regarded opponents at Cardinal Stadium in recent years. A shame so many of the Cardinal faithful were intimidated by the weather forecasts. The bandwagon effect should be spilling over at the final home game against Syracuse.