PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Malik Cunningham started vs. N.C. State and rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries. Cunningham was 8 of 14 passing for 90 yards. The redshirt freshman from Montgomery, Ala., has rushed for 408 yards and four touchdowns this season while completing 35 of 59 passes for 409 yards and a touchdown with one interception.
–WR Jaylen Smith is Louisville’s leading receiver with 34 catches for 519 yards and a touchdown. The 6-4, 220-pound Pascagoula, Miss., native was a preseason All-ACC pick but has not been as effective this season as he was last year. The senior is averaging 15.3 yards per catch.
–S Dee Smith leads Louisville in tackles with 65 — 34 solo and 31 assists. He also has 1.5 TFLs and a half sack through eight games. The 6-1, 208-pound senior from Florence, Ala., has also broken up a pass and has a QB hurry.
–DE Tabarius Peterson, a redshirt sophomore from Tucker, Ga., leads Louisville with 6.5 tackles for a loss and 2.0 sacks on the year. He is fourth on the team in total tackles with 48, 27 solo and 21 assisted.
SERIES HISTORY: Louisville leads the modern series 15-9, with the Cardinals winning three of the last four games. Kentucky claims six wins from the early 20th century before Louisville was a legitimate team, and thus, claims the series record is 15-15. Louisville won last years’ game 44-17 in Lexington.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I think it’s all about pride. I think you can take records and throw them away. Traditionally, when two teams in the same state go against each other, it becomes a pride deal, and it’s something that you get to brag for 364 days a year if you win.” — Interim coach Lorenzo Ward
