5 Things You Need to Know About the Louisville Cardinals

It is football time in the Bluegrass for one final Saturday this season. The Kentucky Wildcats (6-5) play host to the rival Louisville Cardinals (7-4) at Kroger Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the SEC Network. Overall it has been a very disappointing football season for the Wildcats. However, another win over the Cardinals would certainly calm some of the rumblings around Big Blue Nation.

What to expect from Louisville in this one largely hinges on the availability of star quarterback Malik Cunningham. Coach Satterfield has a very different team with and without his best player. Regardless of whether or not Cunningham takes a snap you can fully expect this one to be a battle. Kentucky has had Louisville’s number in recent seasons. However, the Cards will be out for revenge with a team that has played surprisingly good football over the last two months.

As always, make sure you have read Adam Luckett’s Scouting Report for a more in-depth look at the Cardinals. Kentucky Sports Radio will also be your one-stop-shop throughout game day to get you prepared for the rivalry showdown. Now, let’s dive into five things you need to know about the Louisville Cardinals.

Quarterback Status Changes Louisville’s Ceiling

Currently listed as “day-to-day,” we likely will have to wait until the last minute to truly know the status of Malik Cunningham. The super senior has been a mainstay as the Louisville Cardinals quarterback dating all the way back to 2018. In nine games this season, Cunningham has thrown for 1,552 yard and touchdowns to four interceptions. Those numbers through the air are relatively pedestrian compared to what he has done in the past, but the rushing attack he provides is still elite.

On the ground, Cunningham has recorded 633 non-sack rushing yards and a team-best 11 touchdowns. His ability to not only keep plays alive, but also produce explosive plays, really sets his rushing ability as a quarterback apart. Cunningham averages nearly seven yards per rush and has nine runs for 20 yards or more. If he is able to suit up on Saturday afternoon it will open up an entirely new element for the Louisville offense.

Getting to Know the Backup

If Malik Cunningham is not the guy against the Wildcats, Coach Satterfield will turn to Brock Domann. The junior has already notched victories over Virginia and NC State, but the Louisville Cardinals still aren’t the same when he is in there. Domann did his best work when taking over for Cunningham against Clemson as he finished 13-23 for 175 total yards and a passing touchdown. On the season, he is just 52-102 for 737 yards and four interceptions with only two touchdowns.

As you would expect, Domann isn’t anywhere near the threat with his feet either. While he has proven the ability to keep a play alive, the scrambling for first downs and long runs simply isn’t there. Kentucky will need another strong defensive showing regardless of who takes the snaps, but it will admittedly be easier handling Domann than Cunningham.

One Primary Pass-Catcher

No matter who is playing quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals one thing has remained certain. Tyler Hudson is going to be the primary target in the passing game. After an All-American season at Central Arkansas, Hudson has made the jump to the Power Five rater seamlessly. The senior is leading the Cardinals is several statistical categories including targets (97), receptions (63), and receiving yards (951). Kentucky’s secondary will have to account for him at all times as Hudson averages over 15 yards per reception.

Surprising Top 25 Caliber Defense

Bryan Brown, entering his four season as the Louisville Cardinals defensive coordinator, barely retained his job. However, Coach Satterfield and company are being rewarded for their loyalty this time around. The Cardinals are tied for 19th nationally allowing just 19.6 points per game. A big reason for that success has been their ability to end drives on third and fourth down and not give up touchdowns in the red zone. Louisville is 12th in the country for the former category and 19th in the latter.

There is a lot of pressure on the secondary to make one-on-one plays in this defensive scheme, but so far the Cards have been up to the task. If Kentucky can exploit those one-on-one opportunities down field it will go a long way to finishing the regular season with a victory.

Cardinals Rely Heavily on Havoc Creation

Saturday afternoon’s matchup will be a major test for the Big Blue Wall. Keeping Will Levis upright has certainly been a struggle this season and the Louisville Cardinals will put as much pressure on him as anybody. The star of the defensive front is at the EDGE position in Yasir Abdullah. A super senior from South Florida, Abdullah has recorded 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks, forced four fumbles, broken up four passes, and pulled in two interceptions. That is some serious playmaking for a pass rusher. Fellow super senior YaYa Diaby adds 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss creating an elite one-two punch up front for the Cardinals.

The super senior theme continues at the second level where Momo Sanogo and Monty Montgomery return as major playmakers as well. The pair of veterans have combined for 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks this season. Montgomery has added three forced fumbles and two interceptions to his already impressive stat line. Overall, the Wildcats are going to have their hands full with this Louisville defensive front. However, if they can give just a little bit of time to Levis, it could lead some big plays down the field for the ‘Cats pass catchers.