One big thing: Louisville must stop Virginia's run-game
Louisville’s offense and Miller Moss were able to capitalize on last week’s “One big thing” at Pittsburgh with an efficient passing game and a dominant second half through the air.
But with a better and ranked Virginia team coming into town, we’ll switch sides of the ball and look at how the Cardinals’ defense must step up and stop this high-powered UVA run game.
Statistically, the Cavaliers have a top-5 offense in the country and arguably one of the best rushing attacks amongst power four teams. Averaging 243.4 yards on the ground a contest, Virginia is second in the ACC in rushing, only behind Florida State. Hoos quarterback Chandler Morris is coming off a five-touchdown performance in the upset over FSU, three of which came on the ground. Morris was named ACC Quarterback of the Week and can provide a playmaking spark for UVA out of the backfield. Despite his size, the senior is an experienced and gritty quarterback who finds ways to make plays with his arm and legs. He may have only rushed for 37 yards against the Seminoles, but Morris continued to extend plays with his legs, and by the end of the night, the defense had a headache.
“He’s (Morris) played very well. He has the ability to run and he scored numerous touchdowns with his feet and extended plays. Those guys are hard to defend,” head coach Jeff Brohm said Monday. “They’ll mix in some downhill runs. Him getting on the edge in the perimeter has gotten them some key touchdowns in key situations. He can extend and make a play as well. He’s played football at a lot of different places. His dad was a coach, so he’s smart. We’ll have to play really good on defense in order to find a way to stop him and the offense.”
Louisville struggled with dual-threat quarterbacks a season ago. The likes of Kevin Jennings (SMU), Cam Ward (Miami), Demond Williams (Wash.) and Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) all gave an undisciplined U of L defense a hard time, and while this season’s defense is improved from a year ago, we haven’t seen this group be tested by a quarterback like Morris.
The Cards and co-defensive coordinator Ron English have faced several run-first teams like JMU and Bowling Green, but they don’t have the talent at the skill positions that No. 24 Virginia has. The interior of the Louisville defensive line hasn’t gotten a lot of attention as the edge rushers through five weeks, but Jordan Geurad and Rene Konga have been fantastic.
Konga has 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an absolutely absurd four passes defended — which leads the Louisville roster. He’s been pushing interior linemen back and getting his hands in the air for tips and deflections. Konga’s dominance isn’t being talked about enough, but he’s playing like one of the best interior defensive linemen in the ACC. Geurad has also held his own, totaling 11 tackles and half a sack. The two of them will have to play one of their better games of the season tomorrow.
Virginia has three rushers with over 200 yards on the season, but J’Mari Talor rings the cowbell. Taylor is a diminutive 5-foot-9, but at 204 pounds, he is a strong runner and hard to bring down. He’s also underrated, coming from North Carolina Central, but on the year he’s carried the ball 75 times for 397 yards and seven touchdowns. He and the other two backs, Xavier Brown and Harrison Waylee, all have explosive tendencies and all average above five yards a carry.
After Pitt was without Desmond Reid last week, this is by far the most talented backfield Louisville will have played this season. The Cardinals will have to stay in containment and, most importantly, not get beaten after contact. Wrapping up on the first hit is a must, and tackling/attacking the ball as a unit will also be crucial.
Against Florida State, Virginia controlled the football and ran for 211 yards on 48 attempts. In the second half, the Noles’ defense was worn down by long UVA drives that drained the defense with the run game. FSU was able to create three interceptions, which ultimately kept them in the game after initially trailing by 14.
Without a question, Louisville will have to play one of its better games of the season when the Cavaliers come to town tomorrow. Stopping the Hoos’ run game, something yet to be done this season, will be the top priority for this Louisville defense.
