Big Blue Nation meet Teddy Bridgewater.
The true freshman quarterback showed why he was so highly touted Saturday night. Bridgewater took over the reins after senior Will Stein was injured in the second quarter. Despite the pressure of a packed Commonwealth Stadium, the freshman took the snaps in stride. With two touchdown passes and no turnovers, Bridgewater gave Louisville a glimpse into a very sunny future.
Louisville was able to halt Kentucky’s offense with a stifling defense that forced Kentucky quarterback Morgan Newton into six sacks. Louisville’s front four were able to disrupt Newton all night long, making things very difficult for the Wildcats offense.
The Cards took control of the game early after answering a UK field goal with Will Stein’s only touchdown before he was injured. At times the Cards looked like a complete football team, with Bridgewater emerging as a future star that will dominate the Big East.
The momentum stayed on the side of Coach Charlie Strong until fourth quarter when the Wildcats finally were able to muster some rhythm. Newton marched the Cats down the field in a 15 play 77 yard drive to pull within one touchdown with just under 5 minutes remaining.
Louisville was able to run the ball for an effective 181 yards. For the majority of the game Kentucky could not figure out the “WildCard” formation led by third string quarterback Dominique Brown. Brown even saw effectiveness as a running back behind the line with Bridgewater. When the Kentucky defense became privy to the Louisville game plan, the Cards drew up pass plays that resulted in both of Bridgewater’s touchdown passes.
In the final gasp for the Cats, Freshman wide receiver Demarco Robinson fumbled a ball that turned what would be a fourth and inches into a fourth and six. With the game on the line, Newton threw an incomplete pass that allowed the Cards to run out the clock.
The victory marked the first time in four years the Governor’s Cup will come to Louisville. The Cards won’t play again until Oct 1, at home against Marshall University. The win brings UofL to a 2-1 record.
