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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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UofL defensive end Yaya Diaby reacts on a play 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 4478 Uofl Ucf 1sthalf357
UofL defensive end Yaya Diaby reacts on a play 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 4478 Uofl Ucf 1sthalf357 /

2. Louisville’s defense saved the day

Something I didn’t think I’d actually be typing out following the Louisville versus UCF game was “the defense saved the day” but here we are.

Despite giving up 35 points, Louisville’s defense surprised me a bit. The secondary played well enough that Dillon Gabriel didn’t have any true explosive plays. He did complete a 41-yard pass, but outside of that, he had just one other completion that reached 20 yards. He finished the day 21-for-28 with 188 yards and three touchdowns, but the defense made the play of the game.

Sure, his completion rate of 75 percent is concerning, but he was limited to mostly short passes, finishing with a 6.7 yards per attempt average which Scott Satterfield has to be elated about.

And then there was that huge pick-six with under 15 seconds left that sealed the game. The defense could have been deflated after taking the field following a Malik Cunningham pick but it stepped up, made a play on the ball and was in the right place at the right time.

Besides being gashed a little on the ground, the defense for Louisville stepped up and truly came up big all night long against the pass against a prolific quarterback.

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