Countdown to Kickoff
September 08, 2017 | Football
The Cardinals and Tar Heels kick off on Saturday at noon.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville football is jumping into Atlantic Coast Conference play the second week of the season, battling North Carolina on Saturday at noon at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
It is the first meeting since a four-year hiatus.
Louisville owns a 4-3 all-time series advantage, winning three of the last four matchups. The Cardinals defeated the Tar Heels 39-34 in the most recent matchup, a 2012 decision at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
ESPN (Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, and Tom Luginbill) will televise the game nationally, while Louisville Sports Properties radio coverage begins at 10:30 a.m., featuring Paul Rogers, Alex Kupper, and Jody Demling.
Now that you have the details, it's time to start the Countdown to Kickoff:
10 – Louisville compiled TEN plays of at least 25 yards last time out. Dez Fitzpatrick paved the way with three of them, including a 20-yard catch for his first career score. Stacy Thomas' 61-yard interception return for a touchdown is currently the Cardinals' longest play on the season.
9 – Zykiesis Cannon paced the Cardinals' defense with a career-high NINE tackles against Purdue, seven of which were solo stops. He currently is five shy of reaching the 100-tackle plateau.
8 – Jaylen Smith turned into one of quarterback Lamar Jackson's primary targets last week, hauling in EIGHT catches for 117 yards. It was Smith's second-career game with at least 100 yards receiving.
7 – SEVEN true freshmen made their collegiate debuts in the victory over Purdue, including TreSean Smith, who picked off his first pass of the season.
6 – Louisville native Reggie Bonnafon had SIX rushing attempts, punching in a 10-yard run for the Cardinals' second touchdown in the win over Purdue.
5 – Saturday's contest marks the Cardinals' FIFTH trip to Chapel Hill. Louisville owns a 2-2 mark on the road at North Carolina after falling 14-7 in 2011.
4 – Louisville's defense forced FOUR turnovers in the season-opening victory, logging three interceptions and recovering one fumble. The Cardinals are tied for 29th nationally with a plus-1.0 turnover margin.
3 – Blanton Creque was pivotal in season opener, connecting on all THREE of his field goal opportunities. The sophomore has hit at least three field goals four times in his career and is 19 of 22 in his career.
2 – Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson accumulated 485 yards of offense in the Cardinals' victory against Purdue. He ranks SECOND nationally in total offense.
1 – Jordan Davis and Dez Fitzpatrick each made the most of their FIRST games as Cardinals. Davis' first and lone catch with the Cardinals was a three-yard touchdown, while Fitzpatrick tallied his first career touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
Enjoy the game and return to GoCards.com afterward for complete postgame coverage.
