Huskies’ Late INT Touchdown Steals Win
There are tough losses. Then there are the losses the Louisville Cardinals have suffered in consecutive seasons at the hands of the Connecticut Huskies. Amped up and looking for revenge after last year’s “Unfair Catch” stole a victory and bowl eligibility from them, the Cards stormed out to a 21-10 lead behind the running of Victor Anderson and Bilal Powell Friday night at PJCS. But a late Hunter Cantwell interception, returned 45 yards by LB Lawrence Wilson, capped a run of 16 unanswered points to seal a 26-21 UConn victory.
Cantwell, who injured his ankle in the third quarter and briefly left the game, finished with 247 yards and a score, but also two costly interceptions while Anderson (100 yards, 2 total scores) and Bilal Powell (112 yards, 1 TD) led Louisville on the ground. Sophomore Zach Frazer, who relieved starting QB Tyler Lorenzen (broken foot), finished with 89 yards and a key TD pass late in the third quarter to spark the Husky run. Donald Brown continued his torrid start to the 2008 season, rushing for 192 yards and a touchdown.
Random Ramblings As I Sit Dumbfounded Again
I’ve reserved this space so far this season to break down some key points that might have gone overlooked or just not seen by my fellow Cards without access to the game. This one was on national TV, though, and I doubt many went to bed early on a Friday with revenge on their minds and blood in the water after Lorenzen went down. While injuries piled up on both sides (Cantwell, Latarrius Thomas, too many defensive linemen to count for the Cards), this was still a game well in Louisville’s grasp at the start of the fourth quarter. After rolling up 300 yards by halftime and nearly 400 headed into the fourth, the offense simply bogged down… especially near the red zone.
Right now, it’s hard to point a lot of fingers or put blame in a neat, appropriate box. But it is unquestionably clear at this point in the season that our special teams will cost us at least another close game at some point in this season. When you can’t kick a field goal from 40 yards out, you’re not going to win many close ones. Bad special teams forced Coach K’s hand at least twice and I believe on three occasions against UConn. That’s 9 points and a Cardinal win with a kicker more suited to BCS-level college football.
Barefoot, single-bar face mask, hell… Doug Flutie drop-kick style. Just get me a kicker who can put it through the uprights from something more than 30 yards.
Fully understanding he was injured, it’s also time to realize that Hunter isn’t going to lead too many comebacks in his Cardinal career. For the second time this season, Cantwell was asked to lead a charge or (for that matter) keep a close lead in the closing minutes of a game. In just as many opportunities, he has absolutely melted down. Five interceptions (one for a score) and a fumble returned for a touchdown with the game on the line or a comeback in need tell me that Hunter isn’t exactly suited for John Elway, Jr. status. I am also beginning to understand more and more what they were talking about when they said Cantwell has the better arm head-to-head with Brian Brohm, but not the better material in that 5 inch space between the ears.
Other quick-hitters
*Has anyone mentioned that Donald Brown is pretty darn good?
*That UConn defense isn’t half bad, either. We shredded them on the stat book for over 500 yards, but managed just three scores? Talk about bending but not breaking with your back near your own goal line. While the Cards did score on three of four trips into the red zone tonight, you still have to appreciate the way UConn’s defense stiffened up when we got on their end of the field. Penalties didn’t help our effort, but tip your hat to the Huskies’ pressure when it mattered.
*Speaking of penalties, when did John L. get back on the sidelines?
*Going forward, you at least have to be optimistic about the Cards getting to 4-2 before their date with South Florida on October 25. This defense is good enough (Donald Brown’s “run-amokery” aside) to keep Memphis and Middle Tennessee in check. As long as Hunter is healthy, we’re just a couple more W’s from going somewhere for Christmas.
That’s all for now. These 11:30, heart-breaking finishes give a guy a serious case of the writer’s block.
