The Edge: Louisville offense just too much for Cats to handle
UL junior runningback Jeremy Wright gets tackled by UK players during the first half of the UK vs. UL football game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday, September 2, 2012. Photo by Tessa Lighty
September 13, 2013
By Alex Forkner | Kernel columnist
The battle of the rushing attacks
In a rivalry that’s featured so many proficient passers — Tim Couch, Jared Lorenzen, Andre Woodson, Dave Ragone, Chris Redman, Brian Brohm — the team with the most rushing yards usually hoists the Governor’s Cup.
Since 1994, the winner of the rushing battle has won the game. That’s 17 out of 19 years.
UK’s rushing offense is ranked 32 in the nation, averaging 239 yards per game. The University of Louisville’s rushing defense ranks 20th, allowing just 94 yards per game.
Conversely, Louisville averages 138.5 yards per game rushing, good for 82nd nationally. UK’s defense allows 157.5 yards per game, ranking 70th.
UK can run the ball well and Louisville can defend it, but Louisville doesn’t run the ball frequently, relying on sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to eviscerate defenses through the air.
The Cats’ rushing attack will be more varied, with sophomore quarterback Jalen Whitlow, senior running backs Raymond Sanders and Jonathan George, and freshman running backs Jojo Kemp and Ryan Timmons all getting involved.
The Cardinals’ main workhorse is senior running back Senorise Perry, who had 16 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown in last year’s Louisville victory over the Cats.
An intriguing unknown is junior running back Michael Dyer, one-time national champion at Auburn University, who arrived at Louisville this fall with more baggage than Elizabeth Taylor.
How much will Louisville head coach Charlie Strong use Dyer against the Cats? His talent could give UK’s defense fits.
Edge: Louisville.
Bridgewater’s passing ability does wonders for running lanes, and although UK’s defense shutdown Miami’s running attack last week, look back to the Western Kentucky University game to see what a pass/run conflict does to the Cats’ defense.
Big play ability
Against the RedHawks last week, UK made the “Air Raid” sirens howl with long touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Maxwell Smith found George for a 48-yard score, and later junior wide receiver Javess Blue on an 88-yard bomb. Freshman wide receiver Jeff Badet caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Smith in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals’ offense has 20 plays that have gone more than 20 yards so far this season, including three over 40 and one over 50. Both offenses have shown they can break off big plays, but which defense will give up fewer large gains?
Louisville’s pass defense is ranked fifth in the country, so UK’s rotating quarterbacks will have their work cut out for them finding guys open downfield. UK’s pass defense is a respectable 25th, but everybody saw how crafty Bobby Petrino was able to hurt the Cats through the air, and he didn’t have a quarterback half as good as Bridgewater.
Edge: Louisville.
This is starting to sound repetitive, but Bridgewater is just too good. He’s responsible for 13 of those 20 big plays.
Overall Edge: Louisville.
The Cats will likely put up a valiant effort, but Louisville is the more complete team. UK should hang around through three quarters, but Louisville owns the fourth, pulling away and winning by two touchdowns.
