Louisville DB Trey Franklin ejected for targeting vs. Miami

Louisville defensive back Trey Franklin was ejected for targeting just before halftime of Saturday’s game against Miami.

Franklin helped make a tackle with one second left in the first half on a kickoff. The play was originally not ruled targeting, but after review, Franklin was ejected.

He had two tackles in the first half, prior to being ejected.

For the season, Trey Franklin has appeared in all 11 games. He has nine tackles and a pass breakup.

Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm was asked about the targeting call at halftime by ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath.

“Well, I mean, we can’t do that,” Brohm said. “It was a 15-yard penalty. We’ve gotta just sharpen things up. You know, we’re playing a good football team. We’re hanging in there. But we’ve gotta play better.”

Louisville trailed Miami 21-20 at halftime, thanks in part to a missed extra point. The Cardinals have been excellent all year on defense, but they struggled in the first half against Tyler Van Dyke and the Hurricanes.

The kicking game was also a struggle for Louisville in the first half.

Cardinals kicker Brock Travelstead missed a 24-yard field goal in the first half, in addition to missing an extra point.

“Well, it’s very concerning,” Brohm said. “I think it’s all mental right now. Just gotta relax. Gotta relax, trust it, kick high, kick through it, don’t overthink it. Right now we’ve just gotta come out and play well in the second half.”

Greg McElroy considers whether Louisville can make College Football Playoff

If Louisville beats Miami on Saturday and upsets Florida State in the ACC title game, there’s talk that the Cardinals could sneak into the College Football Playoff.

ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy broke down the team’s path the rest of the way. Basically, the No. 10 Cardinals have to win out and win the ACC, finishing 12-1 with a win over Florida State for the conference crown.

Easier said than done though.

“I think Louisville is really good,” McElroy said on Always College Football. “I think they can run the ball really well. The problem is their quarterback is a little bit at times prone to turnovers. And Jack Plummer, he’s a good player, and I really do think he’s a talented guy. I think he’s got a chance to make a roster on Sundays …

“But I do think that he is prone to a lapse in judgment every once in a while and they’re not a team that can overcome a lot of mistakes against quality competition to ultimately get the win.”