Louisville football looks to continue its run at an ACC Championship as heavy favorites against Virginia.
Let’s gloooooooow.
First Down: What to Know
Who: Virginia Tech (2-7, 1-4) at Louisville (7-1, 4-1)
Where: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium | Louisville, KY
What: Glow game!
What’s on the line: 11-game home win streak; Sole 2nd place in ACC; CFP contention
When: Thursday, November 9th at 7:30 PM ET
How to Watch: ESPN
How to Listen: 93.9 FM in Louisville
Series History: Louisville leads 6-5
Last Meeting: UofL won at UVA 34-17 in 2022
Spread Check: Louisville -20.5
Thread Check:
Weather Check: 57 and partly cloudy at kickoff
Second Down: Depth Chart
Off a short week, Louisville football faces another test with some key players trying to get healthy.
Those players are denoted with an asterisk.
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
51 Austin Collins (6-3, 290, R-So.)
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
Can Louisville avoid trap game scenario?
It’s a short week. Coming off of two dominant victories. Against an opponent you should handle easily.
But that opponent, Virginia, has already sprung a massive road upset this season at North Carolina.
The Cavaliers looked for real against the Tar Heels and then took Miami to overtime on the road the next week.
On Saturday, the Hoos hosted Georgia Tech and got crushed.
Louisville football has fallen victim to a trap game scenario against a lesser opponent this season.
However, this is at home and with a lot on the line. The Cards just need to take care of business and get out as healthy as possible.
Can Cards take advantage in the running game?
Louisville has held five consecutive opponents under 100 yards rushing.
Virginia averages 120 yards per game on the ground- Good for 104th nationally. They also only average 3.1 yards per carry, which is one of the worst in Power Five football.
When the Cards have the ball, they are averaging 4.9 yards per touch, while the UVA defense allows 180 yards per game on the ground.
Louisville has a distinct advantage running the ball. If the Cards can take advantage and control the clock early, this is a team that you want to fluster and force to throw the ball.
That puts the Cardinals’ vaunted pass rush in a great position.
Who starts at QB for Virginia?
Virginia is having health issues at QB, and the player that winds up under center in this game could determine a lot about the game plan for the Cards.
Tony Muskett is the “game manager” at QB for the Cavs. He was the starter in the big upset against UNC.
However, a lingering ankle injury that was re-aggravated against Georgia Tech has him day-to-day, per head coach Tony Elliot.
If Muskett can’t go, the backup has been Anthony Colandrea.
Colandrea has had an up-and-down season but plays an aggressive high-risk, high-reward style of ball. He has some mobility outside the pocket and can be a real threat with his arm.
Look for Colandrea to get the nod for the Cavaliers on Thursday. And, if so, look for Louisville to try to rattle him early and often with an aggressive pass rush.
Can Louisville contain Malik Washington?
Virginia has one of the best wide receivers in the country in Malik Washington.
The senior has tallied 1,044 yards and 6 TDs on 79 receptions this season.
A Northwestern transfer, Washington’s speed, route-running, and excellent hands make him a tough assignment for any defense.
In a nationally televised game, this could be an NFL showcase for Washington against Louisville corner Quincy Riley.
It feels like Riley is up for the task, but if Virginia is going to stay in this game, it will almost certainly be on the back of a great performance from Washington.
Fourth Down: Predictions
Jacob Lane: 38-6, Cards
Matt McGavic: 42-7, Cards
Vince Lococo: 41-0, Cards
Presley Meyer: 52-12, Cards
