Louisville, Ky – October 28, 2023 – Matthew Hudson
The Louisville Cardinals returned home looking to rebound from their road loss to the Pittsburg Panthers. The game versus the Duke Blue Devils had huge conference implications as the Blue Devils and the Cards both entered the game just 1 loss behind conference leader Florida State. All week we heard and talked about the importance of this game and how it should be a close battle. The Cardinals had other plans as they dominated this one from beginning to end.
Louisville’s defense was the big story of the day as they controlled this one throughout. The #20 ranked Blue Devils could never figure out a game plan to counteract the aggressive Louisville Defense. After the initial burst of offense by Louisville to jump out 14-0 over Duke the game really slowed down as both teams struggled to score. Only 9 points were scored the entire 2nd Half, all 9 courtesy of Brock Travelstead Field Goals.
Jack Plummer had a rather slow but efficient day compared to his normal starts. To his defense he wasn’t needed that much due to the excellent performance of the Louisville running game. Plummer finished the day with 11 completions on 16 attempts and 117 yards passing.
Jawhar Jordan with another impressive showing for the Cardinals. Jordan really set the tone early with some hard-nosed running and the first 2 touchdowns of the game. He finished the day with career highs in carries and yards, 21 carries for 163 yards and 2 TDs.
The Cardinal Defense gets the MVP award against the Blue Devils. The defensive line looked like the superior group all night, led by Ashton Gillotte with 2 sacks the line had all 4 sacks for Louisville. Perhaps the most impressive thing of the night though was the fact they held the #20 Blue Devils scoreless.
1st Quarter
Louisville came out with all the momentum. A quick defensive stop gave Jack Plummer and the Offense back the ball on their own 28-yard line. A long 10 play 72-yard drive put The Cards up early 7-0 over the Blue Devils. Drive was finished off by a 14-yard TD run by Jawhar Jordan.
The Cardinals looked unstoppable during the 1st quarter. Another efficient drive by the offense, this time a 6 play 49-yarder, for another rushing TD by Jawhar Jordan.
2nd Quarter
Both offenses had trouble getting started in the 2nd quarter, with neither team breaking 100 yards of offense. The only score of the quarter came from a 47-yard FG by Brock Travelstead to put Louisville up 17-0 going into the half.
3rd Quarter
Louisville was able to make 2 good drives in the quarter but both stalled out in the Red Zone. The Cardinals had to settle for 2 FGs by Brock Travelstead. Travelstead connected on both a 20 and 24-yard FG during the quarter to extend the Cardinal lead to 23-0.
4th Quarter
Louisville’s defense stands tall in the 4th and is able to complete the shutout. Louisville controls this one from beginning to end. Cardinals win against the Blue Devils, 23-0.
