Cards Face Undefeated Seminoles in ACC Championship Game
November 28, 2023 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville football team travels to Charlotte, N.C. this Saturday, Dec. 2 to face No. 4 Florida State in the team's first Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game.
After matching their best ACC record at 7-1, the Cardinals look to secure their first ever conference title in this weekend's ranked match-up.
Center Bryan Hudson, who was named the 2023 ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient this week, is grateful for the opportunity that lies ahead for the Cards.
"Competing for a championship is always the goal at the beginning of the season," said Hudson. "So to have gotten to this point is definitely encouraging for all of us. We're excited to be practicing still and getting ready for the game."
However, the game will not be an easy feat for the No. 15 ranked Cardinals. The Florida State Seminoles come into the ACC Championship game with an undefeated regular season record for the first time since the 2014 season.
"We didn't make it all this way just to get to the game," said Hudson. "We want to go win it, and that's what we're getting ready to do."
The Cards boast the second-ranked defense in the league with 314.7 yards allowed per game. Behind that success includes linebacker TJ Quinn, who leads the team with 76 tackles this season.
"To be that first team, that's something that nobody can ever take from you – being the first team to win a championship," said Quinn. "Just with everything we've been through this season, to see the reward that we can possibly get. Going into this week, we just can't let the pressure get to us. We just have to go out and execute."
Despite a heart-wrenching loss to Kentucky last weekend, Louisville held the Wildcats to just 289 yards including 83 yards on the ground. The Cards hold the top spot in the league when it comes to rushing defense, allowing an average of just 96.8 yards per game.
Stopping the run game will be important for the Cards this weekend with a pair of Seminole running backs that have produced high numbers this season. Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili have combined for 17 rushing touchdowns in the 2023 campaign. Benson recently powered the Seminoles to a rivalry win, tallying three touchdowns and adding to his season total of 838 rushing yards.
"This week, we just have to stay in our fits, stay in our gaps, and get a knock down," said Quinn.
Not only will the Cards look to bring home their first conference championship on Saturday, they also look to secure their 11th win of the season for the sixth time in school history and the first time since the 2013 campaign.
"We obviously want to win," said Quinn. "We want to show that we've gotten better from last week. And when we go out on the field this Saturday, we want to show that."
The 19th annual ACC Championship Game will kick off this Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
After matching their best ACC record at 7-1, the Cardinals look to secure their first ever conference title in this weekend's ranked match-up.
Center Bryan Hudson, who was named the 2023 ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient this week, is grateful for the opportunity that lies ahead for the Cards.
"Competing for a championship is always the goal at the beginning of the season," said Hudson. "So to have gotten to this point is definitely encouraging for all of us. We're excited to be practicing still and getting ready for the game."
However, the game will not be an easy feat for the No. 15 ranked Cardinals. The Florida State Seminoles come into the ACC Championship game with an undefeated regular season record for the first time since the 2014 season.
"We didn't make it all this way just to get to the game," said Hudson. "We want to go win it, and that's what we're getting ready to do."
The Cards boast the second-ranked defense in the league with 314.7 yards allowed per game. Behind that success includes linebacker TJ Quinn, who leads the team with 76 tackles this season.
"To be that first team, that's something that nobody can ever take from you – being the first team to win a championship," said Quinn. "Just with everything we've been through this season, to see the reward that we can possibly get. Going into this week, we just can't let the pressure get to us. We just have to go out and execute."
Despite a heart-wrenching loss to Kentucky last weekend, Louisville held the Wildcats to just 289 yards including 83 yards on the ground. The Cards hold the top spot in the league when it comes to rushing defense, allowing an average of just 96.8 yards per game.
Stopping the run game will be important for the Cards this weekend with a pair of Seminole running backs that have produced high numbers this season. Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili have combined for 17 rushing touchdowns in the 2023 campaign. Benson recently powered the Seminoles to a rivalry win, tallying three touchdowns and adding to his season total of 838 rushing yards.
"This week, we just have to stay in our fits, stay in our gaps, and get a knock down," said Quinn.
Not only will the Cards look to bring home their first conference championship on Saturday, they also look to secure their 11th win of the season for the sixth time in school history and the first time since the 2013 campaign.
"We obviously want to win," said Quinn. "We want to show that we've gotten better from last week. And when we go out on the field this Saturday, we want to show that."
The 19th annual ACC Championship Game will kick off this Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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