How it happened: SMU stomps Louisville 38-6
A decimated and ailing Louisville football team went on the road for the final time this season and now drops to 7-4 entering the final week of the regular season after a 38-6 loss to SMU.
The Cardinals were down starting quarterback Miller Moss and their two leading ball carriers, Keyjuan and Isaac Brown, in Dallas. Allowing redshirt-freshman Deuce Adams to get his first career start under center. Sophomore Duke Watson was alongside the quarterback, but split time with freshman walk-on Braxton Jennings.
Adams was playing just two and a half hours from his home in Austin, Texas (Vandegrift). He finished throwing for 94 yards on 12 completions he also ran it seven times for 14 yards. As expected, we saw two different quarterbacks. Redshirt junior Brady Allen took three snaps in the first half and threw a completion before the offense was forced to punt. Allen also played in the fourth quarter, completing a pass for seven yards, but threw an interception just one play later. It was the lone turnover for either team.
Louisville struggled to move the football downfield, as SMU held a 448 to 228 total yard advantage. Still, Adams did have some nice moments, including back-to-back competitions of 25+ yards to Chris Bell and Dacari Collins in the second quarter.
SMU’s Kevin Jennings was spectacular. He completed 16 of his first 17 passes and, in the end, had a quarterback rating of 173.9 and threw for 303 yards. There was a lot on the line for the Mustangs and Jennings, who, coming in, had only suffered one conference loss (Wake Forest) and had their eyes set on the ACC Championship in Charlotte.
Jennings’ favorite target on Saturday was senior wideout Jordan Hudson, who continues to emerge as one of the ACC’s best playmakers. He caught one of Jennings’ three touchdowns and had 96 yards on eight catches.
The Mustangs’ offensive line set the tone early and dominated the afternoon. On 36 carries, SMU ran it for 178 yards and two touchdowns. They averaged 4.9 yards a carry over the course of the afternoon. T.J. Harden took on a majority of the load and finished with 90 yards. On the other hand, Shaun Boykins Jr. was actually Louisville’s leading rusher (52 yards) as Watson and Braxton Jennings combined for 11 carries. Jennings left late in the fourth quarter with an injury he suffered on a kickoff return.
SMU had a staggering 28 first downs compared to the U of L’s 12, and continuing a troubling trend, the Cards also committed six penalties for 47 yards. Including several that ended Louisville drives or continued SMU drives. In the end, however, it wouldn’t have made a difference.
The Cardinals have now suffered three consecutive losses for the second time under head coach Jeff Brohm. Today also marks the first time in his tenure that the Cards failed to score a touchdown.
Louisville will finish the regular season at home against Kentucky (5-5) 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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