(Teddy and former high school teammate E.J. Hilliard after game photo courtesy Chris Hatfield)

Coach Strong and company came into this one with one thing in mind and that was to play a complete game from a skills standpoint. They accomplished that and more in the total dismantling of the FIU Golden Panthers today. It was so bad that both coaching staffs mutually agreed on a running clock in the second half. That is something you see often in a high school or grade school game but is very rare in college football. Forcing a FBS team to want a running clock has to count for something in the National Title picture right?

It was just one of those days. A 72-0 shut-out by our Cards (second of Strong era), Teddy Ballgame goes 17-22 for 212 yards with 4 touchdowns, DeVante Parker had 74 receiving yards with 2 touchdowns, all of our running backs got a touchdown, Louisville’s defense holds FIU to 28 total yards breaking the all-time record of fewest yards allowed of 58, Cards scored the most points in the Strong era also second-most in school history, and had 464 yards of total offense. Teddy says after the game: “We’re trying to do something special this year. Talent can take you a long way, but the leaders have to step up, we did that.” Yes you did Teddy, yes you did…

We’ve heard all season about the strength of the schedule, but the players can’t do anything about that. All they can do is come out and perform like they did today. From whistle to whistle the whole team executed. This season is also looking like a great opportunity for the coaching staff to develop young talent for a more competitive conference next year. Say what you want about schedule’s but this Cardinal football team is performing like a top 5 program right now and that’s all that really matters in the big picture.

Our Cards will now head into the bye-week and it will be a time of more work on perfecting the little things. Coach Strong on heading into conference play: “Every game counts. We need to keep getting better.” Teddy on heading into the bye-week: “We’re going to take advantage of it and get ready for the next opponent”.

I’m a very happy Cardinal football fan heading into the bye-week. Our Cardinals are 4-0 and looking great. Very excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for us.