Louisville football opens the 2024 season hosting Austin Peay for the first time. Everything to know as the Cards prepare to host The Peay.
Louisville football fans, it’s finally here.
We made it through the longest part of the year and arrived once again.
I encourage you, fellow Cards fans, to not take this day for granted.
Soak this morning in. Enjoy everything that this day is about.
We only get 12 games. 6 home games. 6 Joker and the Thiefs. Approximately 150 “Cards First Downs”.
Enjoy this moment. It’s game day.
First Down: What to know
Who: Austin Peay (0-0) at Louisville (0-0)
Where: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium | Louisville, KY
When: Saturday, August 31st, 2024 at Noon
How to Watch: ACC Network
How to Listen: 93.9 FM in Louisville
Series History: First-Ever Meeting
Spread Check: Louisville -36.5 (O/U 53.5)
Thread Check:
2nd Down: Projected Depth Chart
Official depth charts won’t be released until Saturday morning. We will update the depth chart as we know more.
Quarterback
Tyler Shough
Pierce Clarkson
Running back
Don Chaney or
Mo Turner
Right tackle
Jonathan Mendoza
Rasheed Miller
Right guard
Renato Brown
Austin Collins
Center
Pete Nygra
Vic Cutler
Left guard
Michael Gonzalez
Madden Sanker
Left tackle
Monroe Mills
Trevonte Sylvester
Receiver 1
Ja’Corey Brooks
Jahlil McClain
Receiver 2
Chris Bell
Jimmy Calloway
Receiver 3
Jadon Thompson
Cataurus Hicks
Ahmari Huggins-Bruce
Tight end
Mark Redman
Jamari Johnson or
Nate Kurisky
Defensive end
Ashton Gillotte
Ramon Puryear
Defensive tackle
Thor Griffith or
Jared Dawson
Defensive tackle
Dez Tell
Jordan Guerad
LEO
Tramel Logan or
Myles Jernigan
Middle Linebacker
TJ Quinn
Jurriente Davis
Weakside Linebacker
Stanquan Clark
Dan Foster
Star
Ben Perry or
Antonio Watts
Cornerback
Quincy Riley
Tayon Holloway
Cornerback
Corey Thornton
Tahveon Nicholson
Free Safety
Devin Neal
D’Angelo Hutchinson
Strong Safety
MJ Griffin
Tamarion McDonald
3rd Down: What to Watch For
How do coaches treat the QB situation?
The obvious storyline entering game 1 of the Tyler Shough era is how the 7th-year quarterback can assimilate in the Jeff Brohm system.
Shough has been injury-prone throughout his career. But if he can remain healthy, this is perhaps the most talented QB Brohm has ever had at his disposal.
One would expect the offensive play-calling to be relatively vanilla in game one, but that doesn’t mean fans shouldn’t expect to see some flare from Shough.
The signal-caller will be an asset in the run game but should be able to work the ball downfield.
Look for the Brohms to give Shough some chances to air it out.
If Louisville football is leading by a comfortable margin, expect Pierce Clarkson to see ample time. It’s exciting to see what the potential quarterback of the future has up his sleeve, but it would also comfort a lot of fans if we saw him under center for multiple drives.
Can the defense pitch a shutout?
It’s no secret that this Louisville football defense is well ahead of the offense.
It could be argued that the defense has more overall talent than a year ago.
So, it would be reassuring for the Cards to start the year with a dominant performance against an over-matched team.
The primary obstacle will be the amount of uncertainty UofL faces from the offensive roster and opposing play-calling.
Peay lost its coaching staff and 20 starters from a season ago, meaning that the Louisville football staff will have to adjust on the fly.
Because of this, a shoutout from the Cards would be highly impressive in the season opener.
How does weather impact the game?
It’s Louisville, Kentucky in the fall/ summer, so who really knows what kind of weather we see?
With that in mind, the forecast is calling for scattered thunderstorms throughout the afternoon.
What does this mean for Louisville football?
If there is moderate to heavy rain, one would imagine that both teams keep the ball on the ground.
With Louisville’s distinct advantage in the trenches, this would likely benefit the Cards.
4th Down: Predictions
Matt McGavic: Louisville -36.5
Vince Lococo: Louisville -36.5
Jacob Lane: Louisville -36.5
Keith Arutoff: Austin Peay +36.5
Presley Meyer: Louisville 52, Austin Peay 10
