Louisville DB Benjamin Perry ejected for targeting in 1st half vs. Georgia Tech

Louisville defensive back Benjamin Perry was ejected for targeting early in the first half of the Cardinals season opener against Georgia Tech on Friday. Because the penalty occurred in the first half, Perry will only miss the remainder of the opener.

Perry and fellow Louisville defender Josh Minkins converged on Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King on a scramble. As King slid, Minkins and Perry arrived and collided with King.

As Perry made forcible contact to the head and neck area of King, a defenseless player by rule as a sliding quarterback, the refs assessed a targeting after review. It had not been called on the field.

#Louisville DB Benjamin Perry was flagged & ejected for targeting for this hit pic.twitter.com/Kjv1j26jB8

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Just a few plays prior, Louisville linebacker TJ Quinn was subject to a targeting review, but the officials didn’t call it on him.

Brohm was upset with the early lack of execution

In his head coaching debut at his alma mater, Brohm had plenty he wanted to see cleaned up after a little more than a quarter of play. Once his team overcomes some early nerves, he’s hopeful they’ll settle down.

But speaking with ESPN sideline reporter Paul Carcaterra, Brohm had plenty he would like to improve. He said his team needs to play with “conviction.”

“I’d like to execute way better than that. I think they’re playing hard. Dropped an easy slant right in our chest, overthrew a couple throws that were open. Just got to stand in there, play with conviction, play tough, finish these plays. I just think our nerves are kicking right now, we’ve just got to relax and execute better,” Brohm said as Georgia Tech had just taken a 7-6 lead over the Cardinals.

On the ensuing drive, the Yellowjackets punched in a touchdown to make it 14-6.

Louisville quarterback Jack Plummer has struggled early, missing on some easy throws as Brohm noted.

Early in the second quarter, Plummer was 3-for-10 for just 55 yards passing. The Cardinals added just 50 rushing yards and couldn’t convert any of their four third down attempts.

It certainly left Brohm wanting for more out of the offense in what he hopes was just a nervy start to the season.

Brohm knew the Louisville job would be a challenge

Brohm knows Louisville is a challenge, but he wouldn’t have it any other way as he returned to his alma mater ahead of the 2023 season.

The former Purdue coach made the Boilermakers quite respectable in the Big Ten up until his final year. They even made last year’s Big Ten Championship Game.

But now it’s full steam ahead with the Cardinals.

“Well, personally I like challenges,” Brohm said “I look forward to them. Even when I took the Purdue job, I remember asking a lot of colleagues of mine when I took it, what do you think? Should I take this job? Probably 95% said, heck no, don’t take that.

“To me I like building a winning football team. Without question, coming here to the University of Louisville is another challenge. It’s unique, but yes, we have some really good football players on our team, some guys that have had success.”