Louisville – September 7, 2023 – Matthew Hudson
What looked like rain cleared up for a beautiful night of football in Louisville. Louisville was looking to keep the momentum going after their big 2nd half in last weeks comeback win against Georgia Tech 39-34. Louisville’s defense came out firing on all cylinders and forced a quick 3 and out for Murray State. The Louisville Offense took over and wasted no time marching down the field behind some big passes by Jack Plummer. Louisville punched it in on a 12-yard run by Jamari Thrash taking the lead 7-0.
After the slow 1st Quarter and only leading Murray State 7-0, Louisville caught fire in the 2nd and never looked back. Louisville scored 3 touchdowns in the 2nd Quarter to take a comfortable 28-0 lead into halftime. They showcased their ability to consistently hit the big play on the way to a 56-0 rout of Murray State. Louisville had 12 plays of 20+ yards with 3 of those going for Touchdowns.
Jack Plummer looked confident in command of the Louisville offense for the second week in a row and showed great patience in the pocket to find his wideouts down the field for big plays. Plummer finished the game completing 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 246 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs.
Jawhar Jordan only had 9 touches on the night, but he made the best of them. Jordan had 7 rushes for 135 yds and 2 TDs as well as 2 receptions for 43 yards. Louisville running attack was a team effort with 10 rushers combining for 44 carries and an impressive 344 rushing yards.
Louisville’s defense showed up and showed out, they held the Murray State offense to only 166 yards of total offense. Devin Neal led the defense for the Cardinals showing his ability to affect the game from the defensive side of the ball. Neal finished with 5 Tackles, 1 Pass Breakup, 1 INT, and 1 Fumble Recovery.
1st Quarter
After some big completions from Jack Plummer to Kevin Coleman and Jawhar Jordan for 30 yds and 32 yds, Jamari Thrash was able to punch it in with a 12 yard run to give Louisville the early lead 7-0. Murray’s DJ Williams ability to scramble and keep plays alive was impressive and helped sustain the Murray State drives.
2nd Quarter
Behind the big runs of Isaac Guerendo and 2 pass interference calls Louisville was able to march down the field to the 1 yard line where Isaac Guerendo was able to power it in extending Louisville’s lead to 14-0. Louisville’s Jack Plummer hit Jamari Thrash on a quick slant pattern and Thrash did the rest, Thrash showed off his speed to get past the Murray State defenders and go 73 yards to pay dirt. Louisville now had a comfortable 21-0 lead. Jawhar Jordan was able to turn a quick run up the middle into another big play for Louisville with a 72 yard TD, running through multiple arm tackles on his way. Giving Louisville a 28-0 lead with just 3 mins before Halftime.
3rd Quarter
Murray State came out hot in the 2nd half and quickly took the ball into Cardinal Territory, their best drive of the night halted with a fumble by Parker Perry and a Louisville recovery. Louisville was able to capitalize on a quick 6 play/59 yard drive capped off by a 1 yard touchdown by Jordan giving Louisville a 35-0 advantage. Louisville goes with a change at QB with Brock Domann taking over for Jack Plummer. Different QB but same results for the Louisville offense as they go 54 yards for another Louisville TD by Huggins-Bruce. Louisville rolling with a 42-0 lead.
4th Quarter
Another Murray State Turnover left Louisville with a short field. Louisville capitalized and scored after 3 straight rushes the last being a 4 yard TD by Keyjuan Brown. Louisville extended the lead to 49-0. Louisville keeps it rolling with some of their backups getting some valuable experience late in the game. A 10 play, 74 yard drive punctuated by a 34 yard pass from Harrison Bailey to Joey Gatewood finished the scoring off for the night and gave Louisville the 56-0 win.
