LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team fell at No. 8 Louisville, 44-7, on Saturday afternoon at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
The EKU defense stuffed the Louisville run game all afternoon, limiting the Cardinals to just 78 yards on 28 carries (2.8 yards-per-carry); however, the Colonels could not contain Louisville quarterback and Heisman candidate Teddy Bridgewater, who finished the day 23-for-32 for 397 yards and four touchdowns.
Bridgewater orchestrated scoring drives of 75 and 72 yards in the first quarter alone, giving UofL a quick 14-0 lead.
Turnovers, meanwhile, hurt EKU in the first half, as junior quarterback #Jared McClain# was picked off early in the second quarter and freshman running back #J.J. Jude# coughed up the ball on the Colonels’ very next drive, helping Louisville take a 27-0 lead at halftime.
Louisville led 37-0 before EKU got on the board with a 15-yard touchdown pass from McClain to freshman wide receiver #Devin Borders# with 3:23 remaining in the third quarter. The leaping grab in the corner of the end zone was Borders’ first career score.
On Louisville’s next drive, though, Bridgewater found DeVante Parker for a 42-yard touchdown to make it 44-7. The Cardinals ran out the clock from there.
EKU out-rushed UofL in the game, compiling 107 yards on the ground. McClain led the way with 61 yards, while the freshman running back committee of Jude, #Jared Sanders# and #Thomas Owens# combined for 55 yards.
McClain finished with 85 yards and a touchdown through the air.
EKU returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 14, when the Colonels host Coastal Carolina at Roy Kidd Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
