Not since Bo Jackson in the original Tecmo Bowl game have we seen a player do what Lamar Jackson has done in the first two games of the season. A week removed from an eight touchdown first half performance in a 70 – 14 win against Charlotte, Jackson did not slow down against Syracuse. Jackson threw for 411 yards and one touchdown. He also led U of L with 199 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
The game could not have started out any better for the Cardinals as they raced out to a 21 – 0 lead in the first 4:43 of the game. The most amazing thing is that it took Louisville only 1:35 to score all of those points.
The first play of the game was a good looking pass from Jackson to James Quick for a 72 yard touchdown. After a Syracuse three and out Jackson was at it again with a 61 yard pass to Jaylen Smith which set up his seven yard touchdown run. U of L got the ball back quickly once again and just as quick as they got the ball, they scored again. Jackson held on to the ball and showed off his quickness, weaving in and out of traffic and then outracing Syracuse defenders for a 72 yard run. Jackson would run for one more score in the first quarter to put the Cardinals up 28 – 7.
Turnovers, dropped passes, and a fast paced Syracuse offense kept the Orangemen in the game. Louisville led 35 – 21 at the half.
Jackson continued his strong play in the second half, but wasn’t the only one who showed up to play. A slimmer Brandon Radcliff showed off his speed to the tune of 155 yards and one touchdown on only nine carries.
Jamari Staples and James Quick led the Cardinals in receiving with 136 and 108 yards respectively. It was the second consecutive solid game for Quick who is one of the highest rated recruits in U of L history.
Several records were broken by the Cardinals. They set a team and ACC record with 844 total yards. Jackson set a U of L record with 610 total yards and briefly became the first player in FBS history to pass for more than 400 yards and rush for 200. That was negated after a two yard loss on his final carry.
Next up for Louisville is No. 3 Florida State. They come in to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium for a noon game next Saturday. This game will go a long way in determining just how good this Cardinals’ team can be.
