Brown: With thin margin for error, unbeaten Louisville football can't sleep on Boston College
As good as Louisville feels about its 3-0 start, Saturday’s game against Boston College is a reminder the Cardinals can’t stray far from their winning formula. They have a thin margin of error that has already led to anxious moments in both of their games against Power Five opponents.
The nerves were high late into Saturday’s 21-14 win over Indiana. After rolling to a 21-0 lead, the Cards gained just 120 yards in the second half and were shut out the final two quarters. They needed a goal-line stand to avoid watching a three-touchdown lead evaporate. It was the same type of angst they experienced in the opener, when Georgia Tech reeled off 28 points in the second quarter and led by 15 at halftime.
Enter Boston College, which has carried the banner for mediocrity in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Trying to find the Eagles' last winning record in ACC play, which came in 2009, will leave you feeling trolled after seeing year after year of losing records or .500 finishes.
Their season-opening overtime loss to Northern Illinois, 27-24, did little to make one think this season would be any different. Neither did their 31-28 win over Holy Cross. BC’s near upset of No. 3 Florida State in a 31-29 loss over the weekend came at the right time for Jeff Brohm, in his first season as Louisville's coach, to keep his team’s attention focused on doing what it does right.
“There’s a lot of parity in every league,” Brohm said. “There might be a few elite teams around the country, but everyone else is almost the same.”
That’s why the Cards have to clean up their special teams mistakes from Indiana. The missed field goal from a reasonable range of 38 yards. The 18-yard punt that was shanked. And the play that may have drawn the most of Brohm’s ire, Indiana's onside kick that Louisville failed to recover out of halftime despite ample anticipation and discussion that it could be coming.
The offensive blueprint is simple — get the ball to the best combo of playmakers in the ACC. Running back Jawhar Jordan leads the conference in rushing yards per game (114.7) and yards per carry (10.8, which currently leads the NCAA). Wide receiver Jamari Thrash also leads the ACC in receiving yards per game (109.7) and yards per catch (23.8).
What the Cards don’t want is to fall behind and be forced to pass too many times. Quarterback Jack Plummer has thrown an interception in each game this season and, combined with last year at California, one in seven of his last eight games.
Defensively, limiting big plays is their key to winning. U of L gave up six receptions of more than 20 yards against Indiana, including a 41-yarder in the fourth quarter.
The area the Cards need to improve most is in sacks. They’re tied for No. 12 in the league with just two through three games. And their lack of pressure against Indiana quarterback Tayven Jackson was helped the Hooisers creep back in the game.
U of L linebackers coach Mark Ivey said statistically speaking, over the past five seasons, offenses haven't scored in 83% to 85% of drives that involve a sack by the defense.
“Sacks are important because they help us win ball games,” Ivey said.
U of L has yet to play four full quarters where all of its units were consistent. Safety Ben Perry and right tackle Eric Miller credited the team for showing some resiliency in the firs three games when things didn’t go smoothly.
“It’s been a mentally tough team,” Miller said. “We’ve learned through three weeks and one side of the ball has a lull the other kind of picks them up.”
The Cards didn’t have to lose to understand what it takes for them to win. Now, the challenge is making sure they stick to it.
Reach sports columnist C.L. Brown at clbrown1@gannett.com, follow him on X at @CLBrownHoops and subscribe to his newsletter at profile.courier-journal.com/newsletters/cl-browns-latest to make sure you never miss one of his columns.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville football 2023: Cardinals' shouldn't sleep on Boston College
