Louisville-USF Postgame Notes
October 20, 2012 | Football
Oct. 20, 2012
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Louisville Postgame Notes
No. 16/14 Louisville 27, USF 25
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012
The Cardinals and Bulls met for the 10th time in series history. Louisville evened the series at five games apiece and has won the last two decisions. Prior to the 2011 victory in Tampa, USF had won two-straight contests. In Louisville, the Cardinals now own a 4-1 mark against USF.
With the win over USF on Saturday, the Cardinals are 7-0 for the first time since the 2006 season, when Louisville opened the year at 8-0 before falling to Rutgers. The Cardinals went on to finish 12-1, which included a 24-13 win over Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl.
With the win over USF, the Cardinals have been victorious in four-straight home games, the longest home-winning streak under head coach Charlie Strong. The last time the Cardinals won four-straight home games was in 2006, when Louisville went 6-0 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
The Cardinals moved to 2-0 in BIG EAST play for the second time in school history and first since 2006, when the Cardinals opened league play at 3-0 before falling to Rutgers.
Louisville's game captains were Mario Benavides and Alex Kupper.
Louisville won the toss and elected to defer. USF will receive to start the game.
Today's announced attendance was 50,167, the ninth-highest attendance at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
When scoring more than 20 points in a game under the direction of Charlie Strong, the Cardinals' record is 20-4.
Hakeem Smith made the 32nd-straight start of his career. Also with a notable number of consecutive starts: Teddy Bridgewater (17), Mario Benavides (17), Alex Kupper (20) - he made the first start of his career at guard - and Jake Smith (20).
Ryan Mack, a redshirt freshman from Memphis, Tenn., made the first start of his career against USF.
True freshman and Florida native Abraham Garcia made his first collegiate appearance in the third quarter.
Louisville's offense continues to make quick work on the field, scoring on 10 plays or less 24 times this season. Of those 24 times, 21 of those scores have been touchdowns.
Damian Copeland had career bests in receiving yards (93) and receptions (5). He also tallied his first career receiving touchdown, which came in the third quarter.
The Cardinals now have 19 rushing touchdowns this season. The last time Louisville tallied at least 19 scores on the ground was in 2007, when Louisville registered 22 rushing touchdowns.
| Year | Total Rushing Touchdowns |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2007 | 22 |
| 2006 | 35 |
| 2005 | 41 |
| 2004 | 47 |
| 2003 | 35 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2000 | 20 |
On his 100th carry of the season with 14:49 remaining in the first half, Senorise Perry rushed into the end zone from one-yard out for his 11th career touchdown. It was his 10th touchdown of the season. Jeremy Wright also registered a rushing touchdown, his seventh of the season and 12th of his career. Perry finished the game with 29 yards on 11 carries, while Wright had 27 yards on 11 carries.
The Cardinal defense combined for four sacks in the win, their second-best total this season. Against Pittsburgh, Louisville sacked the quarterback five times.
- Louisville's four sacks on USF are the most against the Bulls since the Cardinals tallied five in 2008 (Oct. 25) in a 24-20 Louisville victory.
The Louisville defense continues to shine in the first quarter at home. Through four games, the Cardinals have allowed just three points in the opening period.
Preston Brown had a career-high 17 total tackles in the win over USF. In addition to his game-high seven solo stops, he was credited with 10 assisted tackles.
Adrian Bushell ended the game with his second career interception. He also tallied four solo stops in the game.
Teddy Bridgewater continues to highlight Louisville's offense.
- Bridgewater surpassed 200 yards passing for the fifth time this season.
- Bridgewater has thrown a touchdown pass in seven-straight games.
- Bridgewater finished the game by connecting with a total of nine receivers.
- He finished the game as the Cardinals' leading rusher with a career-best 74 yards on 11 carries.
Junior midfielder Angelika Uremovich of the Louisville women's soccer team was selected as the 2012 University of Louisville Homecoming Queen during Saturday's halftime ceremony at the Cardinals' football game against USF at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The selection of Uremovich by U of L students marks the third straight year a Louisville student-athlete has been selected as either Homecoming Queen or King. Last year, Peyton Siva of the Cardinals' men's basketball team was crowned as king, while in 2010, Kyle Kuric of the Louisville men's hoops squad was chosen as king.
