Virginia Cavaliers

Louisville Football: Cardinals' first half grades against Virginia

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Louisville Football team in is a bit of a fight against Virginia, therefore we take a look at the first half grades.

This isn’t the type of performance that we were expecting from the Louisville football team this afternoon. Virginia has come and punched Louisville in the mouth in the trenches. The Cardinals cannot win this game if they cannot control the line of scrimmage. There is a ton of room for improvement in the second half.

Louisville's Offense

The Cardinals didn’t get out to a very good start in this game. They were backed up on the first drive and Lamar Jackson missed James Quick for a wide-open touchdown catch and run. Quick then managed to drop the next couple of passes thrown his way.

One of the biggest issues today has been the blocking up front. Other than Lamar Jackson, the Cards haven’t been able to get any type of ground game going. Kudos to Virginia for getting off their blocks and finding different ways to bring down the ball carrier.

This has been a half full of missed opportunities as well. Louisville is one of the worst teams in the ACC in turnover differential and that has kept the Cavaliers in this contest so far.

Louisville has to find a way to improve in the second half and clean up their mistakes.

Actually, the offensive line needs to show up in the second half or go ahead and get on the bus.

Louisville's Defense

Virginia is going to pass the football a bunch, it’s doesn’t matter who they play or how the are playing. As usual, the flat routes are killing the Cards in the first half. The Cavaliers have the Cardinals so off balance on defense that it isn’t even funny.

However, Jaire Alexander made the play of the first half for Louisville. He made a huge interception in the red zone and gave the Cards a bit of life.

It’s a little concerning that Virginia has been able to move the ball so effectively, but they have been able to do it a little bit at a time. We talked about how important it was for Louisville to force the Cavs into third and longs, but they haven’t been able to do that so far.

Could the absence of DeVonte Fields really be the issue for the Cardinals’ defense in the first half? Who knows, but they need to re-group here at halftime.