Brian Brohm has completed 67.7 percent of his throws for 2,765 yards, with 23 touchdowns against just four interceptions.
DATE & TIME: Friday, October 19th, 8:00 p.m. (et)
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FACTS & STATS: Site: Rentschler Field (40,000) — East Hartford, Connecticut. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Louisville 2-2, UConn 3-0. Away Record: Louisville 2-1, UConn 2-1. Neutral Record: Louisville 0-0, UConn 0-0. Conference Record: Louisville 1-1, UConn 1-0. Series Record: Louisville leads, 3-0.
GAME NOTES: A couple of teams in search of their second Big East win of the season collide at Rentschler Field this Friday, as the Louisville Cardinals take on the Connecticut Huskies. The Cardinals enter the contest on a high note, as they knocked off nationally-ranked and previously unbeaten Cincinnati, 28-24, last weekend. It was the first Big East win of the season for Louisville, which has won two of its last three games to improve to 4-3 overall. The Cardinals have won two of their three road games this season, with the one loss coming at nationally-ranked Kentucky (40-34) on September 15th. As for UConn, it suffered its first setback of the season last weekend, dropping a narrow 17-16 decision at Virginia. Despite the loss, the team’s 5-1 record is still its best start to a season since opening the 1998 campaign 7-1. The Huskies now return back to Big East play, where they won their only outing against Pittsburgh (34-14) back on September 22nd. UConn however, has never defeated Louisville before, losing all three prior meetings with the Cardinals, including a 48-17 drumming last season.
The Cardinals possess one of the most prolific offenses not only in the Big East, but in the entire nation, as they are averaging 41.7 ppg and 559.6 total ypg. The team is gaining a solid 161.9 ypg on the ground and an impressive 397.7 ypg through the air. Quarterback Brian Brohm is in the midst of a simply outstanding season, as he has completed 67.7 percent of his throws for 2,765 yards, with 23 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Last weekend, Brohm was brilliant once again, converting on 28-of-38 pass attempts for 350 yards and three scores in a 28-24 upset of Cincinnati. Harry Douglas returned from injury last weekend and played a big factor in the game, catching seven balls for 118 yards. With Douglas back in the lineup, the Cardinals should be even more dangerous, as he leads the team with 45 catches and 797 receiving yards. Tight end Gary Barnidge is another weapon Brohm has utilized this season, and he ranks second on the team in catches (31) and receiving yards (401) and first in receiving touchdowns (six). In the backfield, Anthony Allen has seen a majority of the workload this season and he has done a good job in rushing for 602 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Cardinals’ defense has been heavily criticized this season and rightfully so, as they are giving up a way too high 29.7 ppg and 446.7 total ypg. The defense however, stepped up last weekend for Louisville, forcing four key turnovers in a 28-24 win over Cincinnati. The turnovers played a big part in the win, as the Cardinals’ defense did surrender 460 total yards. For the year, Louisville has now forced 17 turnovers and it will need to continue to add to that total considering the numerous yards this unit keeps allowing. Lamar Myles has clearly been the Cardinals most important player on defense, as his 78 tackles are 47 more than the next closest player on the team. He posted a team-high 12 stops in last weekend’s win.
Offensively, UConn has made the most of its opportunities this season, averaging an impressive 33.2 ppg behind a decent 375.3 total ypg. The unit has shown good balance between the run (163.8 ypg) and pass (211.5 ypg), and it has turned the ball over just seven times. Facing one of their toughest opponents of the season last weekend, the Huskies were limited to just 254 total yards in a 17-16 loss to Virginia. The team committed two turnovers in the game and made good on just 1-of-13 third down tries. Tyler Lorenzen threw for 176 yards and a score in the loss, and he also rushed 13 times for 33 yards. The versatile quarterback hasn’t thrown for many touchdowns (seven) this season, but he has completed 61.5 percent of his pass attempts for 1,259 yards. He is also a threat with his legs, rushing for 169 yards and a touchdown. Speaking of running the ball, Donald Brown and Andre Dixon have both rushed for over 300 yards this season, but neither player has participated in every game. Brown, the team’s leading rushing with 358 yards and five touchdowns, missed last game and is listed as questionable for this contest with an ankle injury. Dixon stepped in for Brown last weekend and rushed for 63 yards on 14 carries, brining his season total to 328.
The Huskies have done an outstanding job on the defensive side of the ball this season, as they are limiting their foes to a mere 12.0 ppg and only 264.2 total ypg. The unit has fared well against both the run (99.0 ypg) and pass (165.2 ypg), and it has forced 17 turnovers, including 13 on interceptions. Last weekend, the defense put forth another strong effort, as it forced three turnovers and held to Virginia to 332 total yards in a losing cause. UConn also recorded two sacks, giving it a total of 18 for the year. Lawrence Wilson led the charge with 17 tackles and three TFLs, while Robert Vaughn notched his team-best fifth interception of the season. For the year, Wilson leads the club with 62 stops and Julius Williams is tops on the team with 5.5 sacks.
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