Boston College Presents New Challenge for Cards This Weekend
October 31, 2016 | Football
Cards own a 5-3 series advantage over the Eagles.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville football team will hit the road for the final time in Atlantic Coast Conference play when the Cardinals face Boston College in a noon kick on Saturday at Alumni Stadium, where the Cards won 38-19 in 2014.
Sporting a 3-1 record on the road this season, the Cards will go for their second-straight road win and fourth overall against a BC team, which won its first ACC game in almost two years last weekend at NC State.
"They always play great defense," Petrino said. "They're very physical. They run full speed to the ball and they hit and tackle. Offensively, we are very aware of the quarterback. We know him well. I have great respect for him. I've always thought he really throws the ball well and can run with it. A very good running back, so we're going to have to get ready."
The Cardinals survived a road scare last weekend at Virginia when sophomore sensation Lamar Jackson connected with Jaylen Smith from 29-yards out with 13 seconds remaining to lift UofL to a 32-25 win over the Cavaliers.
"Lamar threw it to a spot where only I could get it and the defensive back had no chance to get it," Smith said of the game-winning touchdown throw. "Those are the little things that make Lamar the best quarterback in the country."
In running its record to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the league, the Cardinals survived a tough contest at Virginia – a game they trailed for most of the contest until the final seconds.
Louisville took a 21-17 lead with 13:47 left in the game on a 10-yard pass from Jackson to Reggie Bonnafon, and added a field goal by Blanton Creque to extend its lead to 24-17.
The Cavaliers answered with a 14-play drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown pass by Kurt Benkert to Doni Dowling with 1:57 to play to trim the lead to 24-23. The Cavaliers decided to go for the win and converted the two-point conversion.
Taking over with less than two minutes on the clock, Jackson led the Cards on the game-winning drive by converting a 4th-and-3. After two Jackson rushes that accounted for 16 yards, the 6-foot-3 quarterback had a Heisman moment when he lofted the perfect pass in the corner of the end zone for the winner.
"He's pretty darn good," Petrino said of his Heisman candidate quarterback. "I am not sure that we have to say a whole lot because his play and stats speak for themselves. I have not seen anyone better, but then again, I don't see everybody. I don't see anybody out west or up north, but I see Lamar and I cannot imagine anyone there being someone better than he is."
Petrino's quarterback and the rest of the offense must play better this week – facing a defense that ranks seventh in the country in total defense and fourth against the run. The Cardinals, who are averaging 268.0 yards on the ground, are facing a stout unit that yields only 93.6 yards per game.
"They are physical guys, and they run hard and play with great effort," Petrino said of Boston College's defense. "Up front they are big inside and anchor down. They got a really good defensive end that can rush the passer and their linebackers are…, we know them pretty well."
The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 17-14 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium – after turning the ball over three times and being held to 365 yards of total offense.
"We need to get ready to play," Petrino said. "We have been facing the same guys for the last couple of years. We know them well and they have good players."
Sporting a 3-1 record on the road this season, the Cards will go for their second-straight road win and fourth overall against a BC team, which won its first ACC game in almost two years last weekend at NC State.
"They always play great defense," Petrino said. "They're very physical. They run full speed to the ball and they hit and tackle. Offensively, we are very aware of the quarterback. We know him well. I have great respect for him. I've always thought he really throws the ball well and can run with it. A very good running back, so we're going to have to get ready."
The Cardinals survived a road scare last weekend at Virginia when sophomore sensation Lamar Jackson connected with Jaylen Smith from 29-yards out with 13 seconds remaining to lift UofL to a 32-25 win over the Cavaliers.
"Lamar threw it to a spot where only I could get it and the defensive back had no chance to get it," Smith said of the game-winning touchdown throw. "Those are the little things that make Lamar the best quarterback in the country."
In running its record to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the league, the Cardinals survived a tough contest at Virginia – a game they trailed for most of the contest until the final seconds.
Louisville took a 21-17 lead with 13:47 left in the game on a 10-yard pass from Jackson to Reggie Bonnafon, and added a field goal by Blanton Creque to extend its lead to 24-17.
The Cavaliers answered with a 14-play drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown pass by Kurt Benkert to Doni Dowling with 1:57 to play to trim the lead to 24-23. The Cavaliers decided to go for the win and converted the two-point conversion.
Taking over with less than two minutes on the clock, Jackson led the Cards on the game-winning drive by converting a 4th-and-3. After two Jackson rushes that accounted for 16 yards, the 6-foot-3 quarterback had a Heisman moment when he lofted the perfect pass in the corner of the end zone for the winner.
"He's pretty darn good," Petrino said of his Heisman candidate quarterback. "I am not sure that we have to say a whole lot because his play and stats speak for themselves. I have not seen anyone better, but then again, I don't see everybody. I don't see anybody out west or up north, but I see Lamar and I cannot imagine anyone there being someone better than he is."
Petrino's quarterback and the rest of the offense must play better this week – facing a defense that ranks seventh in the country in total defense and fourth against the run. The Cardinals, who are averaging 268.0 yards on the ground, are facing a stout unit that yields only 93.6 yards per game.
"They are physical guys, and they run hard and play with great effort," Petrino said of Boston College's defense. "Up front they are big inside and anchor down. They got a really good defensive end that can rush the passer and their linebackers are…, we know them pretty well."
The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 17-14 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium – after turning the ball over three times and being held to 365 yards of total offense.
"We need to get ready to play," Petrino said. "We have been facing the same guys for the last couple of years. We know them well and they have good players."
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
K
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballThe Card Tape: Boca Raton Bowl
Friday, December 26
FB: Bush's Boca Raton Bowl Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, December 24
The Card Tape: Kentucky (2025)
Monday, December 01
FB: Highlights vs. Kentucky
Sunday, November 30
