Postgame Notes
Louisville 45, Samford 3
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium – Louisville, Kentucky
September 26, 2015
SERIES
- Louisville posted a 45-3 victory over Samford in the first meeting in series history.
- The Cardinals have won 20-consecutive contests against FCS foes with Saturday's victory.
TEAM
- Louisville captains for Saturday's game were seniors James Burgess, Aaron Epps, Brandon Radcliff, Sheldon Rankins and junior Keith Kelsey.
- Samford won the toss and elected to receive to open the game.
- Thursday's announced attendance was 50,121.
- Louisville improved to 166-9 under head coach Bobby Petrino when scoring at least 35 points.
- Head coach Bobby Petrino improved to 10-1 all-time against nonconference foes at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
- Petrino improved to 93-37 (71.5) following the victory. He is now three victories shy of tying Howard Schnellenberger for the most wins at Louisville.
OFFENSE
- Lamar Jackson had 396 yards of total offense, the most by a freshman in school history. He finished the game with 212 yards passing and 184 on the ground.
- Jackson connected with James Quick on a 36-yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter, Jackson's second career passing score. He ran in the first and second touchdowns of the game.
- It was Quick's first game back since injury – he finished with three catches for 69 yards.
- Jackson is the 10th quarterback in UofL history to rush for two scores in a game. He is the first since Reggie Bonnafon ran for two against Notre Dame in 2014.
- Jackson set the school's rushing record for a quarterback, carrying the ball 18 times for 184 yards. He passed Jim Wagoner, who ran for 162 yards against Drake in 1974.
- Jackson had a 73-yard run in the first quarter, the longest run by a UofL player since Dominique Brown went 77 yards against Florida International in 2013.
- Lamar Jackson and Reggie Bonnafon combined to connect with 12 different receivers during the game, the most since 12 receivers caught a pass against Murray State on Sept. 6, 2014.
- John Wallace connected on a 50-yard field goal in the second quarter, the second of at least 50 yards in his career. He hit a 51-yarder last year against Syracuse.
- Brandon Radcliff's touchdown toward the end of the first quarter marked his first score of the season, 14th of his career.
- L.J. Scott scored the Cardinals' final touchdown of the game, his first of the season.
- Tight end Micky Crum made the most of his one reception, catching a three-yard pass for his second career touchdown.
- As a team, Louisville compiled 328 yards in the first half, the most since registering 357 last season against Murray State.
- T.C. Klusman, Lukayus McNeil, and Kelby Johnson each earned their first career starts on the offensive line.
DEFENSE
- Louisville's interception early in the game extended the Cardinals' streak of games with a pick to 17, the longest active streak in the nation.
- Louisville's defense had three interceptions in a contest for the second time this season, first achieving the feat against Auburn. Last year, the unit had at least three interceptions in a game on three occasions (3 vs. Wake Forest; 3 vs. Florida State; 4 vs. Boston College).
- The Cardinals' run defense in the red zone has been stout since the season-opener. Opponents have been held without a rushing touchdown since Auburn scored a pair in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game.
- Keith Kelsey recovered his second career fumble on Samford's third offensive play of the game. The fumble was forced by Trumaine Washington, the first of his career. He had an interception, the second of his career, later in the game.
- Jaire Alexander recorded his first career interception in the fourth quarter and returned it for five yards.
- Sheldon Rankins finished the game with five tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Rankins has 14.5 sacks over his career.
- Chucky Williams caught his second interception of the season in the third quarter.
- Louisville held Samford to 71 yards rushing after the Bulldogs entered the game averaging 182.3.
- Samford managed just 201 yards of total offense in the game, the fewest yards since Wake Forest gained only 100 last season.
- Louisville's defense has fared well on third-down conversions over the last two games, holding opponents to just 32 percent (8-for-25). Samford converted on just three of 11 attempts.
- James Burgess had a team-high eight tackles and ranks third on the team with 32 stops this season.
