Deuce Adams shows potential in Louisville's loss at SMU
Louisville looked out of place against SMU. Dropping their third game in a row, the Cards couldn’t get anything going. Despite the 38-6 defeat, freshman quarterback Deuce Adams showed flashes of promise.
With starting quarterback Miller Moss out due to a foot injury, head coach Jeff Brohm had no choice but to bring in his backups. Moss struggled immensely as of late, throwing for more interceptions than touchdowns in his past four games. Fans had questioned Brohm’s decision to stick with Moss, wanting to see if their lackluster performances could be prevented.
Since summer training began, there had been a battle for who would be the next man up if Moss went down. Brady Allen, Mason Mims, and Adams were all in contention to fill this void. This day finally came with Adams on top, playing the majority of snaps against SMU.
“It was bad, I’ll take the blame as the head coach. It was a bad day. Couldn’t play any poorer than we did,” Brohm told Louisville sports radio postgame.
Using his legs
Brohm is known for his pocket passers. In three years at Louisville, he has brought in Jack Plummer, Tyler Shough, and Moss through the portal. Plummer finished with 34 rushing yards, the highest of the group.
With Moss sitting at -76 rushing yards (including sacks) and little pocket elusiveness, Adams was a big change. Finishing with 7 rushes for 14 yards, the numbers didn’t resemble the impressive work he put in.
Adams displayed pocket awareness, avoiding sacks, resembling former Louisville greats Lamar Jackson and Malik Cunningham. Standing at 6-foot-2, SMU struggled to get Adams down in the open field.
Not only was Adams able to escape pressure, but offensive coordinator Brian Brohm drew up designed runs for his young QB. Late in the first quarter, Louisville faced a 3rd-and-5. With Adams standing in a clear backfield, SMU predicted a throw, but they ran a designed run. Light on his feet, hitting the open field, Louisville was able to pick up the first down.
Along with designed QB runs, the Louisville offense utilized Adams’ legs in option plays. Sending him out to space with running backs Duke Watson and Braxton Jennings to pitch or keep the ball caused some defensive collapses.
“We’ve got to practice more efficiently, for sure, coach better, get a better plan to utilize whatever playmakers we have, and get them the ball,” Brohm added postgame.
The final score doesn’t resemble success for this new quarterback playstyle, but it did add a new element to the offense.
Adams accurate arm
Along with speed, Adams showcased accuracy, throwing for 94 yards on 12-of-17 attempts. Finding future NFL receiver Chris Bell was a priority. Bell hauled in 8 receptions for 52 yards, while running back D. Watson had 6 catches for 36 yards.
Half of Adams’ total yards came on back-to-back plays. Showing great finesse, Adams snuck an over-the-shoulder ball to Decari Collins for 28 yards. The very next play, he found Bell through a tight window for 26 yards.
Injuries plagued this Louisville wide receiver room. Versatile slot threat Caullin Lacy went down with a leg injury, forcing the Cards to go deep in their rotation. On multiple occasions, Adams delivered a strike or had the right read, but his receiver couldn’t complete the play. Kris Hughes was on a post route bound to be a touchdown, and Adams missed it by inches due to Hughes slowing down.
Louisville is at a crossroads with one game to play. With the quarterback position in limbo, Adams could be in line to make his second career start against in-state rival Kentucky.
The Cards will finish the regular season at home on Senior Day, and then await a bowl selection. The Wildcats and Cardinals kick off from L&N Stadium at 12 PM EST next Saturday.
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