A perfect afternoon in Louisville on Lamar Jackson Day, as the Cards welcomed back the only Heisman winner in Louisville football history. With all the excitement surrounding number 8’s retirement, the Cards dominate Syracuse. The game finished 41-3 and was 35-3 at the half. Cardinal Stadium was rocking all afternoon and the Cardinals fed off the crowd, as well as Lamar.
Cardinals’ Defense Shows up
Coming into the game the Louisville defense had allowed 27.4 points per game. They allowed just three points in the first quarter and that was that. Allowing just 184 total yards of offense all day. There was pressure on Garret Shrader all game, as the Cardinals got home four times. Yasir Abdullah led the way with nine total tackles and two sacks. The Cardinals were simply all over the field from kickoff. The first Syracuse drive looked promising for the Orange after a first down, but quickly stalled leading to a punt. The next Syracuse drive would be their only points of the game as they went 50 yards and kicked an ugly-looking field goal, making it 7-3 Louisville.
The defense played with so much intensity and desire. Something that had been missing the last few weeks. Syracuse went three and out the rest of the half. The Syracuse offense showed life after the half driving all the way to the Louisville two, but the Cardinals defense, once again, came up huge. The Orange went for it on fourth down, but Shrader was sacked and their score remained at just three for the rest of the game. It was an inspired defensive effort for their best performance of the season.
Malik Cunningham Impersonates Lamar Jackson
Quarterback Malik Cunningham sports a Lamar Jackson jersey for the post-game press conference. pic.twitter.com/nXpNyd5Xrx
— Alyssa Newton ? (@AlyssaKNewton) November 13, 2021
The Louisville offense came ready to play led by Malik Cunningham and Jalen Mitchell. The Cardinals went 77 yards in five plays on their first drive capped off with a Cunningham TD run. The offense never looked back from there. Scott Satterfield found his groove a little bit and the offense rolled.
Malik Cunningham put on a SHOW with his guy @Lj_era8 in the building! @UofLFootball | @MalikMalikc10 pic.twitter.com/m0OHSl38Mz
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 13, 2021
Malik made throws like this one all day. This throw made the score 14-3 in the first quarter. After a terrible punt from Syracuse, the Cards got the ball on the Syracuse 33 and made quick work to score again on yet another Cunningham TD pass. Which extended the lead to 21-3 early in the fourth and they were not done yet. Another beautiful pass from Cunningham to Jordan Watkins, this one from 41 yards out, made it 28-3. Malik Cunningham, however, was not satisfied with just four TD passes and threw one more in the second quarter to lead the Cardinals into the half up 35-3. In the second half, the Cardinals were on cruise control, scoring two field goals, but more importantly running clock. Jalen Mitchell ran for 102 yards on just 15 carries. Another very impressive performance from Malik Cunningham who continues to carry the Louisville offense.
The Best Halftime Show of the Year
The Cards were up 35-3 at half. Setting up the Lamar halftime show perfectly. Nobody left their seats. Lamar was decked out in Gucci, as only Lamar would be.
WELCOME HOME @Lj_era8!!!#GoCards pic.twitter.com/a0LFM3a3yQ
— Louisville Athletics (@GoCards) November 13, 2021
Lamar appeared to be emotional on the field as there was a #8 highlight video, before they unveiled his number in name in the stadium that will be there forever.
An emotional moment for Lamar Jackson ❤️@UofLFootball pic.twitter.com/BLriS8nwHT
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) November 13, 2021
I was not ready for Lamar tears. Such a special moment for a special guy. A perfect day for Louisville football start to half to finish. Could not have asked for a better day in the ‘Ville. CARDINAL PARTY!!!!!!
This ain’t nothing but a Cardinal Party‼️#GoCards pic.twitter.com/QgveUXnHt6
— Louisville Football (@UofLFootball) November 13, 2021
The Cardinals are now one win away from a bowl game with two games left. A great opportunity Thursday to secure a bowl spot, in Durham against a struggling Duke team. I would rather get this win out of the way before they have to play that team from Lexington.
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