How it happened: Louisville sprints past Eastern Kentucky 51-17

Behind a fiery start, Jeff Brohm’s Louisville Cardinals crush FCS and in-state opponent Eastern Kentucky by a score of 51-17.

Louisville’s offense, led by transfer quarterback Miller Moss, was lethal in the first half, putting up 41 first-half points and scoring on the first five possessions.

However, Moss ended the half on an off note. He threw two interceptions, one on a high throw off the hand of TreyShun Hurry, which was tipped and picked by the Colonels’ Vito Tisdale, who also intercepted the other after it bounced out of the hands and foot of Antonio Meeks. Moss finished his Louisville debut completing 17-of-25 passes for 223 yards, a touchdown, and those two interceptions. The Los Angeles native also ran in a touchdown. Two U of L backup quarterbacks also saw the field in Deuce Adams (2-of-3, 21 yards) and Brady Allen (6-of-9, 69 yards, TD, INT).

Balance will be the trademark for this Cards offense. Louisville had 228 yards on the ground, much thanks to preseason All-American Isaac Brown, who ran in two touchdowns on six carries. The sophomore had his sixth 100+ yard game of his career, rushing for 126 yards and averaging 21 yards an attempt.

But, it was the return of redshirt senior wide receiver Caullin Lacy, who powered the Cardinals forwards through the air and in the return game. Lacy had a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown, the longest at the U of L since 1970, and caught four catches for 62 yards. Chris Bell was also heavily featured in the offense, as expected, catching five balls for a team-high in receptions and 63 yards. Thirteen different Louisville receivers caught a pass on a day where Louisville exploded for 542 total yards of offense.

If there was a bruise to tend to after the game, it would have to be the penalties. Louisville totaled 12 penalties for 106 yards, six of which came in the first half for 70 yards. It’s the silly holds, unsportsmanlike, and offside calls that the Cardinals have to get away from — Brohm will not be pleased.

Defensively, the newcomers did exactly what Louisville got them for. Clev Lubin raced around the edge for two sacks and a forced fumble, and AJ Green had another sack. The Cards’ defense had six tackles for loss and held the Colonels to just 150 total yards. The secondary held EKU QB Myles Burkett in check as he was 5-of-14 for 76 yards. Eastern Kentucky ran the ball 39 times for 74 yards (1.9 yards a carry) and punted on its first eight possessions.

Cooper Ranvier and Nick Keller split some of the kicking duties on extra points, but Ranvier had the lone field goal attempt, a make from 23 yards out in the fourth quarter.

Louisville continues its season on Friday evening as the Cardinals host James Madison.