Cards Defense Looks to Slow Down SMU

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It will be one of toughest tests to date for this University of Louisville defense when they travel down to Dallas, to play SMU this Saturday at Noon.

SMU (7-3, 5-1 ACC) comes into this matchup flexing a high-powered offense that is averaging over 32 points-per-game. This vaunted UofL defense has not allowed that many points in a single game all season. Look for this Cardinals' defense to pin their ears back and also play with a revenge factor, after dropping a 34-27 back-and-forth affair to the Mustangs inside L&N Stadium last season.

Louisville is coming off a second straight loss, dropping a Friday night meeting with Clemson 20-19. In that game UofL's defense collected five tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble. The Cards will look for another strong effort by their defense to get back on track, when they meet the Mustangs inside Gerald Ford Stadium on Saturday.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings was able to lead his team to a victory over the Cardinals last season. In last season's contest Jennings threw for 281 yards and ran for another 113 yards on the ground. Coming into this year's matchup, Jennings currently sits second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in both passing yardage with 2,810 and touchdowns through the air with 21. Being able to limit Jennings and his elusive playmaking will be a top priority for Louisville's defensive unit.

"That fella (Kevin Jennings) presents some problems, there's no doubt about it." He did last year for us, and not just for us but against everybody he has gone against." UofL linebackers coach Mark Ivey commented.

"I think if we do a good job of containing [Kevin Jennings] and not letting him out of the pocket, then we can limit some of his ability that he has with those extended plays." Louisville defensive lineman AJ Green added.

The Mustangs' tempo also was a factor in last year's game; they were able to get the Cards defense discombobulated several times in the first half, generating four 20+ yard plays in the first two quarters. Look for the UofL defense to be more comfortable facing the SMU tempo this time around.

"SMU had a good plan. They caught us moving, talking and doing some stuff last year. So, we've worked extremely hard at that, starting in the beginning of that game and all the way through this season." Ivey replied.

Louisville's defense will look to keep their momentum going and fix their mistakes from last year's matchup against SMU, while also getting to a chance to play to spoiler by knocking off a Mustang team in the ACC title game hunt.

Watch or stream the game on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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