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Louisville Football: 3 takeaways from thrilling win over UCF

By Connor Muldowney

UofL wide receiver Marshon Ford celebrates with teammates following a touchdown during the first half Friday evening as the Louisville Cardinals took on the University of Central Florida at Cardinal Stadium. The Cardinals led 21-14 at halftime. Sept. 17, 2021As 1419 Uofl Ucf 1sthalf New367
UofL wide receiver Marshon Ford celebrates with teammates following a touchdown during the first half Friday evening as the Louisville Cardinals took on the University of Central Florida at Cardinal Stadium. The Cardinals led 21-14 at halftime. Sept. 17, 2021As 1419 Uofl Ucf 1sthalf New367 /
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What a game. I mean honestly, what a way to kick off the weekend as Louisville football shocked everyone and took down UCF in thrilling fashion to improve to 2-1 on the year.

Right when it looked like Louisville was about to lose in the most heartbreaking fashion possible following a tipped pass that was intercepted by UCF in Cardinal territory, Jaylin Alderman picked off a Dillon Gabriel tipped pass and returned 66 yards for the game-winning score with just 13 seconds left.

The Knights could not respond as a lateral play was blown up with no time left on the clock and Scott Satterfield’s team erupted on the sidelines and rushed the field in excitement.

What did we learn about the Cardinals from this thrilling win?

3. Marshon Ford had his long-awaited breakout game

For years, we’ve been hearing about Marshon Ford being a breakout candidate and while he’s put up some decent numbers throughout his career, he’s never truly reached that status.

Ford has been decent, catching 20 passes for 292 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019 as a red zone threat and then he followed that up with six touchdown receptions and 309 yards on 25 receptions a year ago. And then through two games this season, he had just five catches for 56 yards and no scores.

On Friday night, he finally had his true breakout game on a national stage against a quality opponent, stealing the show with eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. He was the most reliable target for Malik Cunningham all night long and kept many drives alive.

Now let’s see how he can build on this big game.

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