Now the fun begins.
Louisville football fans are looking ahead to a potential top-25 showdown against Notre Dame in L&N Stadium a week from now.
But the UofL team is locked in on a tough NC State squad as it prepares to head to Raleigh, North Carolina for a Friday night showdown.
The Wolfpack are not quite what we’ve come to expect under head coach Dave Doeren.
However, NC State still boasts a quality defense and a quarterback and offensive coordinator duo that gave the Cardinals fits in years past.
Let’s dive into an extremely important matchup.
First Down: What to Know
Who: Louisville Football (4-0; 2-0) at NC State (3-1; 1-0)
Where: Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium | Raleigh, North Carolina
What: Blackout for NCSU | Chance for first 5-0 start since 2016 for UofL
When: Friday, September 29th at 7:00 PM
How to Watch: ESPN
How to Listen: 93.9 FM in Louisville
Series History: Louisville leads 8-4 | UofL is 3-3 at NC State
Last Meeting: Louisville won 25-10 on November 19, 2022
Spread Check: Louisville -3.5 (-192), NC State +160 | O/U 55.5
Thread Check:
Weather Check: 73 and sunny at kickoff
Vibe Check:
Headed to Raleigh shortly.
Second Down: Depth Chart
Quarterback
13 Jack Plummer (6-5, 215, Sr.)
19 Brock Domann (6-2, 225, Sr.)
OR 15 Harrison Bailey (6-5, 230, Jr.)
OR 6 Evan Conley (6-2, 210, Sr.)
OR 10 Pierce Clarkson (6-1, 190, Fr.)
OR 12 Brady Allen (6-6, 220, R-Fr.)
Running Back
25 Jawhar Jordan (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
4 Maurice Turner (5-10, 190, So.)
23 Isaac Guerendo (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Wide Receiver
1 Jamari Thrash (6-1, 180, R-Jr.)
2 Jadon Thompson (6-2, 185, Jr.)
Wide Receiver
3 Kevin Coleman Jr. (5-11, 180, So.)
OR 9 Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (5-10, 170, Jr.)
Wide Receiver
7 Jimmy Calloway (6-0, 190, R-So.)
OR 0 Chris Bell (6-2, 225, So.)
Tight End
42 Josh Lifson (6-3, 235, Gr.)
OR 85 Nate Kurisky (6-3, 235, So.)
OR 84 Joey Gatewood (6-4, 245, R-Sr.)
OR 11 Jamari Johnson (6-5, 265, Fr.)
Left Tackle
55 Willie Tyler III (6-6, 320, R-Sr.)
70 Trevonte Sylvester (6-6, 280, R-So.)
Left Guard
68 Michael Gonzalez (6-4, 305, Jr.)
67 John Paul Flores (6-4, 305, R-Sr.)
Center
61 Bryan Hudson (6-5, 305, R-Sr.)
51 Austin Collins (6-3, 290, R-So.)
Right Guard
56 Renato Brown (6-4, 315, R-Jr.)
71 Joshua Black (6-2, 280-R-Jr.)
Right Tackle
74 Eric Miller (6-7, 305, R-Sr.)
77 Vincent Lumia (6-2, 295, Sr.)
–
Defensive End
9 Ashton Gillotte (6-3, 270, Jr.)
15 Kameron Wilson (6-2, 230, R-So.)
32 Ryheem Craig (6-3, 235, R-So.)
Nose Tackle
99 Dezmond Tell (6-1, 290, Jr.)
OR 91 Tawfiq Thomas (6-4, 300, So.)
44 Selah Brown (6-2, 285, So.)
Defensive Tackle
41 Ramon Puryear (6-3, 270, R-Jr.)
58 Jeffery Clark (6-0, 290, R-Jr.)
OR 90 Jermayne Lole (6-3, 310, Gr.)
OR 93 Jared Dawson (6-2, 305, R-So.),
Leo (DE/LB)
14 Stephen Herron (6-3, 240, R-Sr.)
95 Mason Reiger (6-4, 250, Jr.)
15 Kameron Wilson (6-2, 230, R-So.)
12 Popeye Williams (6-3, 250, So.)
OR 98 Adonijah Green (6-6, 225, Fr.)
Middle Linebacker
24 Jaylin Alderman (6-1, 230, Jr.)
22 Keith Brown (6-2, 235, Jr.)
6 Stanquan Clark (6-3, 230, Fr.)
Weakside Linebacker
34 T.J. Quinn (6-1, 230, R-So.)
13 Gilbert Frierson (6-1, 220, R-Sr.)
17 Jackson Hamilton (6-1, 220, R-So.)
STAR (LB/S)
10 Benjamin Perry (6-3, 205, R-So.)
35 Antonio Watts (6-2, 225, So.)
Cornerback
2 Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (6-0, 190, Jr.)
29 Storm Duck (6-1, 200, R-Sr.)
Cornerback
3 Quincy Riley (6-0, 185, R-Jr.)
28 Trey Franklin (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
30 Derrick Edwards III (5-11, 180, R-So.)
Free Safety
5 Josh Minkins (6-2, 200, Jr.)
11 Cam’Ron Kelly (6-2, 210, R-Sr.)
Free Safety
27 Devin Neal (6-0, 210, Jr.)
11 Cam’Ron Kelly (6-2, 210, R-Sr.)
Punter
40 Brock Travelstead (6-1, 205, Jr.)
OR 39 Carter Schwartz (6-4, 215, Fr.)
OR 93 Brady Hodges (6-1, 200, Jr.)
Placekicker
40 Brock Travelstead (6-1, 205, Jr.)
92 Nick Lopez (6-1, 190, R-Sr.)
Holder
93 Brady Hodges (6-1, 200, Jr.)
39 Carter Schwartz (6-4, 215, Fr.)
Long Snapper
48 Shai Kochav (6-3, 240, R-So.)
32 Hayden Travelstead (6-0, 200, Fr.)
Kick Returner
25 Jawhar Jordan (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
23 Isaac Guerendo (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Punt Returner
3 Kevin Coleman Jr. (5-11, 180, So.)
3 Quincy Riley (6-0, 185, R-Jr.)
9 Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (5-11, 170, Jr.)
Third Down: What to Watch For
Brendan Armstrong and Robert Anae reunite in Raleigh
Louisville football fans know all too well what NC State QB Brendan Armstrong is capable of.
The do-it-all lefty, formerly a Virginia Cavalier, tore the Cards to shreds in a comeback victory in Cardinal Stadium 2 years ago.
At that time, he was teamed up with offensive coordinator Robert Anae.
Anae then moved to Syracuse where, again, his offense took care of business against a great Louisville defense a season ago.
Now together again at NC State, the duo is beginning to find its grove once again, which could spell trouble for Louisville football.
“I think you’re talking about a veteran offensive coordinator that has been there and done that,” Louisville football head coach Jeff Brohm said. “He does a very, very good job and he’s been with this quarterback before. I think they’re able to give you some different looks, have some balance. You know, they have a couple of different protection schemes they use to take advantage of teams that want to play aggressive on them. They’re able to get the ball to their playmakers, he always has a little creativity to what he’s doing, and I just think when you have a veteran quarterback who is able to handle that, it will allow you to try to game plan against what he’s seen to this point and try to create some big plays. So I just think veteran coordinator, veteran quarterback equals we have to be very prepared for them.”
So far, Armstrong has accounted for the majority of NC State’s offense. He leads the team in rushing with 56 rushing yards per game and has scored three TDs with his legs.
NC State has gone running back by committee thus far with four backs accounting for more than 86 yards. Michael Allen leads the way for the running backs, accounting for 117 yards on 21 carries.
Delbert Mimms is State’s only running back to find paydirt, scoring 4 times.
Armstrong has thrown for 859 yards and 5 TDs to 4 interceptions so far this year.
The 6th-year QB completed only 54 percent of his passes a season ago, throwing for just 7 TDs and 12 interceptions in a 10-game season for the Hoos.
With the chance for a fresh start, Armstrong has still struggled to gain his footing in the passing game this year.
Against Notre Dame, he completed just 46% of his passes, throwing 2 TDs and 3 interceptions in a loss.
If the early season and Anae and Armstrong’s history are any indication, Armstrong will be throwing the ball quite a bit against the Cards.
Against a quality secondary for Louisville football, this will be a fascinating battle to watch.
How will NC State Crowd impact Louisville football?
NC State is preparing for its 3rd sellout in 3 tries so far this season.
The Wolfpack have an excellent home-field advantage and have caused fits for Louisville football in the past.
NC State has won 17 of 19 games at home, with its two losses coming this season to Notre Dame and a season ago to Boston College.
The Wolfpack has won its last seven ACC home openers. The last time NC State lost its first league game at home was in 2015. The Pack lost, ironically enough, to Louisville 20-13.
This time, NC State comes with a little extra ammunition.
It’s a blackout for the Wolfpack and the team is wearing its special black “Ghost” uniforms for the game.
NFL legend Bill Cowher is also being inducted into the NC State Athletic Hall of Fame.
Louisville football has traveled to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech and to Indianapolis to face Indiana. However, this test in front of 50,000+ in black will be far different.
“Particularly, our Friday night games have been special evenings,” said Doeren. “So, (we’re) looking forward to having a wild, rowdy crowd.”
Can Jack Plummer stay hot?
Let’s be honest: Jack Plummer was a major concern, if not the major concern after the first couple of games of the season.
All of a sudden now, we look up and Plummer has 11 total TDs, 1,120 yards passing, and 100 yards rushing through 4 games. His passer efficiency rating is pushing 190, ranking him 7th in the nation.
Somewhere between that putrid first quarter at Georgia Tech and 7 straight TDs last week, Plummer found his comfort zone with this Louisville football team.
Now, Plummer faces a defense still looking to find its identity.
NC State has allowed 223 passing yards per game and ranks 86th in passing efficiency defense.
The Wolfpack have allowed 7 passing TDs and 886 yards, intercepting 2 passes against UVA, 1 against UConn, and 1 vs. VMI.
Brohm has loved picking apart opponent’s safeties this season.
State’s starting safety, Jakeen Harris, a major producer for the Pack a year ago, is out for the season. Filing in has been sophomore Sean Brown.
Look for Louisville football to target Brown and his counterpart Bishop Fitzgerald early and often. The duo played a much larger role against UVA and teamed up for a fantastic tipped interception.
I’d look for Louisville to exploit SAM linebackers (2) Jaylon Scott and (10) Caden Fordham on Friday as well. The duo had a difficult time covering Virginia receivers on crossing routes
Spider 2 Y Banana; Tight-end breakout game?
Those football nerds out there will recall the name because of former NFL coach and Monday Night Football color man John Gruden’s obsession with the play.
Spider 2 Y Banana is a play that analysts on the Notre Dame – NC State broadcast continued to point out that the Irish used to perfection in order to slice up the Wolfpack defense.
We already know that the NC State defense has been vulnerable in spots, particularly across the field.
Plays like this- and other similar variations- have proven quite successful against Dave Doeren’s defense.
Spider 2 (SPider) is a Slide Protection post-snap. All linemen slide in one direction- Most often the field size.
Y banana is a fullback or RB fake block and then outlet to the flat on the boundary side of the field.
The Y receiver runs a corner route, while the Z receiver runs a shallow cross.
Someone else in the backfield- typically a halfback- takes the edge rusher.
Notre Dame ran a variation of this play, hitting the tight end once for a touchdown and then the fullback once for a touchdown.
Look for Louisville football to utilize some 21 personnel (2 backs and a tight end) against NC State to find success.
Louisville football’s big-play offense could thrive
Louisville football has been able to consistently torch opponents for big plays.
And while NC State doesn’t allow many points, it does allow chunk plays at a high rate.
NC State actually allows more yards per play than Louisville does.
This feels like an excellent opportunity for the Cards to continue working players open in the secondary and ham and egging it well with the passing and running game.
Against Boston College, Louisville football used the run with Jawhar Jordan to set up a beautiful play-action screen to start the second half.
Look for the Cards to try some similar things against a sometimes susceptible Wolfpack D.
Fourth Down: Predictions
SP+: Louisville 66.4% chance to win
ESPN FPI: Louisville 67.8% chance to win
Presley Meyer: Louisville, 34-24
Vince Lococo: Louisville, 41-35
Jacob Lane: Louisville, 34-27
Matt McGavic: Louisville, 31-24
Athlon Sports: Louisville, 29-28
Courier-Journal Staff
Lucas Aulbach: Louisville
Ryan Black: Louisville
C.L. Brown: Louisville
Alexis Cubit: Louisville
Jason Frakes: NC State
Brooks Holton: Louisville
Natalie Pierre: Louisville
Jackson Caudell, All Yellow Jackets: Louisville, 34-24
Clutchpoints.com: Louisville + the points
