Football Countdown to Kickoff
September 14, 2018 | Football
The Cardinals and Hilltoppers kick off on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville football program faces the first of two in-state foes on its schedule on Saturday, when it plays host to Western Kentucky at Cardinal Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
The Hilltoppers are making their 22nd trip to Louisville in the series, with the Cardinals boasting a 17-4 edge at home. Overall, Louisville owns a 19-12 record against Western Kentucky.
The two teams last squared off in 1998, a 63-34 home victory for Louisville. Chris Redman was 36 of 46 for 474 yards and three touchdowns, while Leroy Collins rushed for 154 yards and five scores in the victory. Willie Taggart, now head coach of Florida State, who the Cardinals play in two weeks, carried the ball 15 times for 177 yards.
Louisville (1-1) is coming off its first victory of the season, a 31-7 win over Indiana State in a torrential downpour. Three delays that combined for 2:33 turned the game into the longest in school history at 5 hours and 35 minutes.
Quarterback Malik Cunningham entered the game in the third quarter and directed Louisville to four scores, including all three offensive touchdowns. Rodjay Burns scored the Cardinals' first special teams touchdown of the year, returning a punt 55 yards.
Western Kentucky (0-2) is dropped its last game, a 31-28 loss to Maine at home. The Hilltoppers squandered a 21-point lead and had the game-tying field goal blocked with less than a minute on the clock.
Drew Eckels threw for 347 yards and three scores for the Hilltoppers, who amassed only 42 yards on the ground. WKU's Lucky Jackson caught four passes for 115 yards and two TDs.
ACC Regional Sports Networks (Evan Lepler, Takeo Spikes, and Lyndsay Rowley) will televise the game, while Louisville Sports Properties radio coverage begins at 6 p.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's defense ranks TENTH in the FBS for fewest opponent receptions at 20.
9 – Louisville has won NINE-consecutive games against Western Kentucky in a series that began in 1922 and was last played in 1998.
8 – Tabarius Peterson had a career-high EIGHT tackles last week, including five solo stops and a tackle for loss. He also had a pass breakup.
7 – Louisville plays SEVEN home games this season for the first time since 2013.
6 – Jeremy Smith had SIX carries for 56 yards against Indiana State, his first action since being injured in the Cardinals' season opener in 2017.
5 – Rodjay Burns returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown against Indiana State, becoming one of FIVE Cardinals to contribute to Louisville's 31 points.
4 – Blanton Creque booted FOUR extra points versus Indiana State to extend his current streak of made PATs to 40.
3 – Louisville opens its 2018 season with THREE Saturday games starting at 7 p.m. or later for the first time since 1981.
2 – Western Kentucky is the SECOND opponent in Louisville history to face one of its former head coaches. It first happened in 1985, when Miami played the Howard Schnellenberger-led Cardinals.
1 – Mekhi Becton is the FIRST Louisville player to rush for a touchdown on his first career carry since Harry Douglas in the 2004 Liberty Bowl victory against Boise State.
Enjoy the game and return to GoCards.com afterward for complete postgame coverage.
