Louisville sets unique program record during blowout victory over Murray State

Louisville picked up their second win of the season on Thursday night in a 56-0 blowout of Murray State. One could say that, against the Racers, the Cardinals gave a full team effort, at the very least from the quarterback spot.

Per Kelly Dickey, five quarterbacks completing passes in a single game for Louisville had never been done before. That’s because, in program history, the Cardinals had never yet had an entire season where five quarterbacks had a completion and have only had four seasons ever where four quarterbacks did so.

Five Louisville quarterbacks completed passes in a single game tonight for the first time in program history. There has never even been a season with five QBs completing a pass.

Only in 1955, 1983, 2014, and 2018 have four QBs completed a pass during the season.

— Kelly Dickey (@RealCardGame) September 8, 2023

Jack Plummer, the former Purdue Boilermaker and Cal transfer, led the way in his second start for Louisville. He completed 16-of-22 passes for 247 yards, a touchdown, and a pair of interceptions. That brings his season totals up to 34-53 for 494 yards, four touchdowns, and three picks on a 62.4% completion rate.

Harrison Bailey, the former Tennessee Volunteer and transfer from UNLV, finished second statistically when it came to the reserves. He ended up going 3-of-5 for 51 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals.

The other three quarterbacks who saw action for Louisville were Brock Domann, Brady Allen, and Pierce Clarkson. Allen spent last season in West Lafayette with Jeff Brohm before transferring in, Domann has been with the program for the past three years, and Pierce Clarkson was a four-star quarterback out of the latest recruiting cycle.

That trio combined to go 6-of-7 for 48 yards inside Cardinal Stadium last night during the team’s second win.

Much of the damage that Louisville put on Murray State came from their run game as they rushed for 344 yards and six touchdowns. Still, while that may have been the case, the quarterback room got their reps in in an unheard fashion with all five making connections in the pass game last night.

Ernest Givins on being inducted into Louisville’s Ring of Honor

Louisville legend Ernest Givins was honored on Thursday evening at halftime. The former Cardinals’ wide receiver had his No. 29 jersey inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor. He also had his jersey retired, becoming the 27th player in program history to receive that recognition.

Right after halftime, Sherree Burruss of the ACC Network caught up with the former player to ask him what the honor meant to him.

“It means a lot to me,” said Givins. “Back in those days, the program wasn’t what it is now. So I’m very, very honored with that. And I had some great coaches. I had Bob Weber. Then I finished up with Howard Schnellenberger. So you can’t get better than those two.”

From 1984-985 with the Cardinals, Givins hauled in 67 total catches for 1,266 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. As a kick returner, he had 43 returns for 1,054 yards, while racking up two touchdowns. He earned honorable mention All American honors from the AP in 1985.

Where does he see the Louisville program heading in the future under Jeff Brohm?

“This program back in the day, was struggling. This program now is up there, probably with the Top 20 programs in the nation,” Givins said. “They have to get a couple more wins and everything. But, other than that, it’s first-class all the way around the board.”