Saturday, October 3
Raleigh, NC
3:30 p.m.
University of Louisville
at
NC State
Photo by: David Sutherland | Louisville Athletics
Cardinals Get First True Road Test at NC State
October 02, 2026 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville football team will play its first true road game on Saturday as the Cardinals take on NC State in Raleigh, N.C. The game will be televised on ACC Network with radio coverage available on 93.9 The Ville and 970 WGTK.
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV – ACC Network (Justin Kutcher, Max Browne, Madison Fitzpatrick)
Radio – 93.9 The Ville / 970 WGTK (Paul Rogers, Craig Swabek, Jody Demling)
Live Stats – GoCards.com
Social – @LouisvilleFB
TEAM NOTES
The Cardinals suffered a 30-27 defeat at the hands of Wake Forest last week, dropping their first conference contest of the season.
The Louisville defense limited Wake Forest to just six points in the second half on Saturday. The Cardinals have held their opponent to 10 points or less in four of eight halves this season.
Louisville has racked up over 300 yards passing in three of the first four games, something it did just four times in 2025. The Cardinals rank 21st nationally with 295.8 passing yards per game.
Louisville is 9-4 in true road games under Jeff Brohm, including a 13-10 victory at NC State during the 2023 season.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Louisville is 9-4 all-time in 13 previous meetings with NC State.
The Cardinals are 4-2 in six trips to Raleigh, including a 13-10 victory over the Wolfpack during the 2023 season. Saturday's game will make it four of the past five between the two programs that has been played in Raleigh.
After losing two in a row in 2017 and 2018, the Cardinals have defeated the Wolfpack in three of the last four meetings, including back to back wins in 2022 and 2023.
ABOUT THE WOLFPACK
NC State is 2-2 on the season following a 41-31 victory over previously unbeaten App State at home on Saturday.
The Wolfpack are 0-1 in ACC play this year, having opened the season with a 34-8 loss at Virginia.
Junior quarterback CJ Bailey is in his third year as the starter for NC State. Bailey has thrown for more than 6,400 yards during his career with 48 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
NC State ranks as one of the top teams in the country on third downs. The Wolfpack are 11th nationally converting 53.6 percent of third downs and 20th in the FBS allowing opponents to convert just 28.3 percent of the time.
LOUISVILLE DOMINATING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
Winning the turnover battle is often a precursor to determining wins and losses. The turnover battle has been heavily in Louisville's favor through the first third of the regular season, thanks in large part to the fact it has committed just one turnover to this point.
The Cardinals started off the season with no turnovers in the first three games before an interception in game four against Wake Forest. Louisville ranks second nationally in fewest turnovers lost and is one of just two ACC programs with only one turnover.
Louisville is 19-1 under Jeff Brohm when it wins the turnover battle. The lone loss was this year's season opener against Ole Miss.
CARDINALS PROVING TO BE EXPLOSIVE ON OFFENSE
Three games into the season, the Louisville offense has been one of the most explosive units in the entire country. The Cardinals already have 27 plays of 20 yards or more. Louisville is tied for second in the FBS in plays of 40+ yards (9), second in 50+ yards (7) and fourth in 60+ yards (4).
The Cardinals have already scored seven touchdowns of 50 yards or more as well, with at least one in all four games. Louisville trails only Colorado State for the most plays of 50+ yards this season, and is the only FBS school with seven touchdowns of 50 or more.
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV – ACC Network (Justin Kutcher, Max Browne, Madison Fitzpatrick)
Radio – 93.9 The Ville / 970 WGTK (Paul Rogers, Craig Swabek, Jody Demling)
Live Stats – GoCards.com
Social – @LouisvilleFB
TEAM NOTES
The Cardinals suffered a 30-27 defeat at the hands of Wake Forest last week, dropping their first conference contest of the season.
The Louisville defense limited Wake Forest to just six points in the second half on Saturday. The Cardinals have held their opponent to 10 points or less in four of eight halves this season.
Louisville has racked up over 300 yards passing in three of the first four games, something it did just four times in 2025. The Cardinals rank 21st nationally with 295.8 passing yards per game.
Louisville is 9-4 in true road games under Jeff Brohm, including a 13-10 victory at NC State during the 2023 season.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Louisville is 9-4 all-time in 13 previous meetings with NC State.
The Cardinals are 4-2 in six trips to Raleigh, including a 13-10 victory over the Wolfpack during the 2023 season. Saturday's game will make it four of the past five between the two programs that has been played in Raleigh.
After losing two in a row in 2017 and 2018, the Cardinals have defeated the Wolfpack in three of the last four meetings, including back to back wins in 2022 and 2023.
ABOUT THE WOLFPACK
NC State is 2-2 on the season following a 41-31 victory over previously unbeaten App State at home on Saturday.
The Wolfpack are 0-1 in ACC play this year, having opened the season with a 34-8 loss at Virginia.
Junior quarterback CJ Bailey is in his third year as the starter for NC State. Bailey has thrown for more than 6,400 yards during his career with 48 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
NC State ranks as one of the top teams in the country on third downs. The Wolfpack are 11th nationally converting 53.6 percent of third downs and 20th in the FBS allowing opponents to convert just 28.3 percent of the time.
LOUISVILLE DOMINATING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
Winning the turnover battle is often a precursor to determining wins and losses. The turnover battle has been heavily in Louisville's favor through the first third of the regular season, thanks in large part to the fact it has committed just one turnover to this point.
The Cardinals started off the season with no turnovers in the first three games before an interception in game four against Wake Forest. Louisville ranks second nationally in fewest turnovers lost and is one of just two ACC programs with only one turnover.
Louisville is 19-1 under Jeff Brohm when it wins the turnover battle. The lone loss was this year's season opener against Ole Miss.
CARDINALS PROVING TO BE EXPLOSIVE ON OFFENSE
Three games into the season, the Louisville offense has been one of the most explosive units in the entire country. The Cardinals already have 27 plays of 20 yards or more. Louisville is tied for second in the FBS in plays of 40+ yards (9), second in 50+ yards (7) and fourth in 60+ yards (4).
The Cardinals have already scored seven touchdowns of 50 yards or more as well, with at least one in all four games. Louisville trails only Colorado State for the most plays of 50+ yards this season, and is the only FBS school with seven touchdowns of 50 or more.
Thursday, October 01
Thursday, October 01
Thursday, October 01
Thursday, October 01
