We saw lots of evidence this afternoon why Teddy Bridgewater will be an exceptional quarterback for the University of Louisville. In the final quarter, however, we were reminded that for all his talents, he remains a freshman quarterback playing in his third game.
Teddy threw two interceptions at the end of this ballgame that effectively cost Louisville the victory. His first INT came with Louisville protecting a narrow 13-10 lead, setting up Marshall 30 yards away from the go-ahead score; the Thundering Herd quickly capitalized. The second came on the next drive, on a throw that was tipped as Bridgewater tried to drive Louisville downfield with under two minutes to go. Bridgewater's mistakes capped a very uneven second half offensive performance and, in my opinion, uninspired play-calling. Mike Sanford continues to show an inability to adapt when there is difficulty establishing the run. And there was no run established today -- 60 total yards on the day, many earned when Bridgewater scrambled.
The interceptions negated what had been an otherwise solid first start for the heralded young quarterback, hinting at the explosive brand of football that he is capable of showcasing.
In the first twenty-five minutes of Louisville's game against the Thundering Herd, the Cardinal offense could not move the ball against Marshall. What was more alarming was that Louisville's respected defensive unit surrendered a touchdown on Marshall's opening drive that was all too easy. To top it off, ESPN3 experienced technical difficulties and was unable to show the game through most of the first quarter, which didn't affect most of you but certainly irked me. To put it mildly, things were not going well by the five-minute point before the end of the half. Flashbacks to the FIU game blinked furiously against the collective mind of the Cardinal faithful.
Then Bridgewater got hot.
Buoyed by the no-huddle offense, Bridgewater finally came to life and led the Cards 93 yards, firing bullets downfield the way he was able to do against Kentucky. A perfect strike to Chi, who after catching the ball in stride almost lost his balance when he turned upfield, squared his shoulderpads, and realized there was no one near to hit. Bridgewater then located a precision lob to Jarrett Davis in the back corner of the end zone, but the touchdown was negated due to an illegal procedure penalty by the same player. Then, in a play that electrified Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, on 3rd and goal from the 9, Bridgewater scrambled toward his left, evaded two defenders, and leapt into the end zone for the game-tying score.
For those who saw it, it was the boldest statement yet of this young man's athletic ability and potent explosiveness.
But by game's end, he had reminded everyone that he's just a freshman.
Stats here.
Then Bridgewater got hot.
Buoyed by the no-huddle offense, Bridgewater finally came to life and led the Cards 93 yards, firing bullets downfield the way he was able to do against Kentucky. A perfect strike to Chi, who after catching the ball in stride almost lost his balance when he turned upfield, squared his shoulderpads, and realized there was no one near to hit. Bridgewater then located a precision lob to Jarrett Davis in the back corner of the end zone, but the touchdown was negated due to an illegal procedure penalty by the same player. Then, in a play that electrified Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, on 3rd and goal from the 9, Bridgewater scrambled toward his left, evaded two defenders, and leapt into the end zone for the game-tying score.
For those who saw it, it was the boldest statement yet of this young man's athletic ability and potent explosiveness.
But by game's end, he had reminded everyone that he's just a freshman.
Stats here.
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