Last night on a national stage, the University of Louisville football program shocked the world. And showed them that basketball is not the only thing in Louisville worthy of national stature. Louisville (11-2, 5-2 Big East) dominated every aspect and nearly every moment of the game, leaving Florida (11-2, 7-1 SEC) shell-shocked, 33-23. The victory was all the more impressive in that it came at the expense of one of college football’s more storied programs. It was one of Florida’s worst drubbings in a bowl game.
I said in my pre-game breakdown that our Cards were going to come out and punch the guys from Florida right in the mouth. And boy did they do that. On Florida,’s first play from the line of scrimmage Jeff Driskel’s pass was intercepted by Terell Floyd at the Florida 38, and returned for a 38-yard touchdown. The look on the faces of the Gator players was that of shock and awe. Florida was sedate in every way. Louisville quarterback Teddy ballgame completed 20 of 32 passes for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he was completing those passes to wide-open receivers. The Gators defense had only allowed the other QB’s they faced throw just five touchdown passes. And they were ranked 3rd nationally allowing only 12.9 points a game. Florida QB Jeff Driskel was 16 of 29 for 175 yards with one TD and two interceptions. Everything Florida was supposed to be able to do well, it did poorly. The defense that was ranked No. 3 in the nation hardly stood in the way of the Louisville passing attack.
Most humiliating for Florida was its inability to run with any success. The Gators love running the ball down their opponents throats, and was supposed to challenge the Cards defensive front more than any team this season. The Gators were lead in the ground attack this season by senior Mike Gillislee. He had 1,104 yards on the season with 10 touchdowns. But only had 9 carries for 48 yards against the Cards defense. They would only allow 111 yards on the night.
In my pre-game breakdown I mentioned how important the Louisville passing attack was to the success of this team. DeVante Parker had been awesome in big games this season and he also had a big grab in this one to help the Cards get this major upset. He had 712 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. And finished this one with 2 grabs for 32 yards and 1 TD. Damian Copeland had also been important to this teams success. He had 597 yards and one touchdown on the season. He had 2 grabs in this one including a big TD. This was a group effort as all the Cards receivers came up big. Eli Rodgers was the leading receiver with 4 grabs for 62 yards.
Florida was just simply unable to match the Louisville intensity in this game. Our Cards came into this one with a chip on their shoulder and with something to prove. They wanted to shock the world and they wanted to get this win for their coach and their city. This group of young men has made their impact and their names will now live forever in Cardinal Lore. Just like that group in 1991 they have vaulted this program to that next level. Their next goal is obvious as they should be ranked in the Top 10 to start next season and will be in the conversation and mix for a national championship.
“This program is on a collision course with the national championship. The only variable is time.” -Howard Schnellenberger