Normally after a Cardinal loss in basketball to arch rival Kentucky I would mope around for several days afterwards in a funk. And while I am still disappointed the football teams Russell Athletic Bowl victory really did help wash the blues away. Not long after the final buzzer of the basketball game yesterday was the kickoff for the Russell Athletic Bowl. A game that featured future conference rivals and a game that Louisville football would completely dominate from start to finish. The Cards manhandled Miami beating them 36-9. Our Cards win their second straight bowl game for its second 12-win season and send a message to the ACC that they are coming to play.
Much like the big hit Teddy took against Florida last year in the Sugar Bowl the sack he took in the end-zone last night ignited a fire in this Louisville group that Miami was unable to put out. In what will likely be his final game as a Cardinal Teddy was brilliant. He threw for a career-high 447 yards and scored four touchdowns. He played toss and catch all night long with Parker (142 yards with 1 TD), Copeland (90 yards) and company throwing on the run, into double coverage, completing passes to 10 different receivers in all. He also eluded would-be tacklers and ran for 24 yards and a TD, too. Bridgewater also set the school single-season record for touchdown passes with 31 and was easily the best player on the field. He also made his case that he is the best college football player this season. After watching that young man last night it is unbelievable that he wasn’t even invited to the Heisman ceremonies and it really puts that award and the politics behind it in perspective. In all the Cardinal offense racked up 554 yards in a performance for the ages. Kudos to offensive coordinator Shawn Watson for quieting his critics in this game and really the final two games of this season.
And what about that Louisville defense? A group that has brought it ever time they have taken the field this season did it again last night holding the Canes to 174 yards of total offense and a whopping 14 yards rushing. They also held Miami to 0-11 on third down conversions. Those guys were flying all over the field and they had 52 tackles total with Preston Brown leading the way with 7, followed by Pryor with 6 and Burgess with 4. This group had four sacks on the evening with one of the nations sacks leaders Marcus Smith leading the way with 2. Louisville allowed Miami to only 9 points and just 12.2 points per game in 2013, good for 3rd Best in school history. They also didn’t allow one first quarter touchdown all season. Just as impressive Teddy was all season for the offense this defensive group for the Cardinals was equally impressive. One of the best I’ve ever watched since being a fan.
Our Cards rode out of this season in the Miami sunset proving to the college football world for the second straight season that they have arrived on the national scene. They will now get the opportunity to prove they can compete on a weekly basis with the best in the country as they will join the ACC next season. If last night was the final time we get to see Teddy in that Cardinal uniform then he also went out in fitting fashion. I know I really appreciate all he did and this team did this year and appreciate them helping me get over the blues from that basketball loss yesterday. I’m already looking forward to going out and watching spring practice next year and can’t wait for the next football season to begin. Go Cards!