Cards Return Home to Host Pitt on Saturday Night

PITT (4-2, 1-1 ACC) at LOUISVILLE (3-3, 1-3 ACC)
October 22, 2022 • 8 p.m. (ET)
Cardinal Stadium (60,800/FieldTurf) • Louisville, Ky.
ACC Network • 93.99 The Ville • Louisville Radio Network

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In a game that was headlined by backup quarterback Brock Domann's play in his first start, the University of Louisville's defense was just as crucial, dominating the line of scrimmage while holding the Cavaliers' offense to 0.2 yards per rush and just six total rushing yards. They also forced a fumble and had two interceptions on the way to allowing only 17 total points, including just seven combined points in the final three quarters.

The pass rush played a huge part, tallying seven sacks and helping force those two interceptions by Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong, in what was another strong turnover showing by the defense.

In regard to those increased turnovers, defensive coordinator Bryan Brown said, "It's a little bit of both some pressure and some guys just making some plays. We've put an emphasis on it this season. We were one of the worst teams last year of getting turnovers, and we put a real big emphasis on it this year, being able to get the ball back to our offense, and that's what we've been able to do. We're number one in the conference in turnovers gained, so that's a really big positive. If we can continue to do that, that'll help our offense put some more points on the board."

The Virginia offense did end up with 313 passing yards, but Brown is worried about not giving up points and just getting the win more than anything.

"I think the main and most important thing is getting the win. You can have 9000 yards, but the biggest thing is points. If you can keep points off the board, those guys can hit some short passes here and there to gain up some yards in the passing game, but as long as we aren't giving up points that's the biggest thing. The one thing from last game, they hit a couple underneath things where we didn't do a great job of tackling, and they got some (yards after catch), and of course that adds up in the yardage and the passing game. When we do make those guys throw the ball in front of us, we've got to do a better job of tackling."

Looking ahead, the Cardinals final six opponents have either been ranked at some point or are currently ranked. Brown hopes the defense is in a groove going into that tough second half, but realizes that consistency has been an issue.

"Hopefully, we're hitting a stride to where we are playing our best ball, because we need to play our best ball in the second half of the season to be able to get to a bowl game and keep our hopes alive as far as ACC goes. I think what we've done so far, we've just been inconsistent. There have been times where we have been really, really dominant, getting 10 stops straight against Central Florida, or in this past game, having just six yards that Virginia rushed against us. Then you think about the games we've lost. Big plays, you know the big passing plays in the passing game, or even in the run game."

"I just hope that these guys can come out and be a little bit more consistent as we move forward to the second half of the season, and I think we will. Hopefully we can continue that trend of not giving up those big plays and tackling well, and I think if we do that, we'll have a really good second half of the season."

In reference to Pittsburgh this Saturday, Brown had high praise for star running back Israel Abanikanda and the explosive dynamic he provides the Pitt offense.

"He's a really good football player. He's a guy that is very, very explosive. If he has any type of crease, he is going to hit it and get it. If you don't have gap integrity, he can find a hole and he can hit it and he can hit it fast. That's what makes him really dynamic, and he is very patient in the run game. In the passing game out of the backfield, he's a very, very solid receiver as well. You have to do a great job of having gap integrity, but also tackling well too. It's exciting to be able to go up against a guy like that, and game planning wise he's a nightmare, so we want to make sure we put our guys in position to make plays."

Although the Cardinals didn't see Pittsburgh last season, Brown recognizes the difference in their overall offense, after they brought in Southern California transfer Kedon Slovis to replace Kenny Pickett.

"You know, with Kenny, he was more of a runner (than Slovis). I don't think they have a lot of designed runs for him. As far as the passing game goes, it's kind of similar to what we faced a couple years ago. Offensive line wise, those guys are still there. So it's not a total remake of what we went against a couple years ago, but they just added to it, I think. If something isn't really, really broken, then why fix it? Those guys were ACC champions last season."

"Slovis just brings another dynamic arm in that building, and he has some dynamic receivers that he's able to get the ball to as well. We have to do a great job of not giving up explosive plays and doing a great job in the run game of tackling and being gap sound."

Brown and the defense hope to continue their momentum this Saturday against Pitt at 8 p.m. in Cardinal Stadium.

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