LOUISVILLE — Louisville coach Charlie Strong had concerns about how his team would start the season, despite a No. 25 ranking and the top spot in the preseason Big East picks. If the opener Sunday against Kentucky was any indication, Strong had nothing to worry about. Starting the game on the 1 turned out to be no trouble for the Cardinals, who simply drove the length of the field for a touchdown that set the tone for a 32-14 victory. How easy was it? Louisville's next two scoring drives covered 85 and 93 yards and how quickly it happened depended on whose hands were on the ball. “I do not know if I expected the offense to perform as well as they did,” Strong said after his team outgained Kentucky 466-373. “A lot of the time you just don't know how well guys will play together and get in sync. They were able to get in sync, stay in sync and move the ball up and down the field.” Credit sophomore Teddy Bridgewater for getting things going on that first drive, taking the Cardinals from third down on their 2 up to the 42 with consecutive completions to Damian Copeland and Andrell Smith. Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry took the cue and then took off, with Wright rushing for three touchdowns and Perry adding a 47-yard touchdown run. “That's what we pride ourselves on, that's why we work hard,” said Bridgewater, who finished with 232 yards on 19-of-21 passing, a school record for completion percentage. “We practice game-like situations, so (Sunday) was just like practice.” Do the Cardinals practice 99-yard drives, he was asked on follow-up. “Yes.” Wright meanwhile ran for 105 yards, showing how happy he was to win a three-way battle for the starting running back's job with Perry and Dominique Brown. He was considered the favorite all week, but Strong waited until just before game time before listing him as the starter. When he wasn't finding room through holes provided by an offensive line that had its own agenda, Wright was creating space on his own with 22 carries. Perry's career-long run ended up making things easier in the second half as Louisville simply tried to maintain its up-tempo. No matter who was running, they each ended up outgaining Kentucky (93 rushing yards) all by themselves. “It was a team effort and everybody pushed each other in practice,” Wright said, “and we got it done because of execution.” Louisville's reward for this domination was the Governor's Cup for the second year in a row, given to the winner between the two universities. The Cardinals also ended a three-game home losing streak to Kentucky. As for those bragging rights, Strong suggested that they go beyond two schools just 70 miles apart. “Anytime you play a rival game, you want to go win the football game and that is what our focus was,” Strong said. “Not only that game, but we want to win them all if we possibly can ... “I will say this: We still have a lot to learn and to improve upon. But, just seeing a Big East team beat an SEC team speaks volumes.” The Wildcats' biggest problem was not matching the Cardinals' intensity when it had an early opportunity and then having to play from behind. — Agencies
