PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR Olamide Zaccheaus set a school record with 247 receiving yards against Ohio after being a non-factor two weeks ago at Indiana. Zaccheaus showed his game-changing speed with a 77-yard touchdown to seal the game against the Bobcats late in the fourth quarter. “The best teams are player-led,” coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “He had a tough game against Indiana but he bounced back in a big way.” Zaccheaus’ performance earned him the ACC Receiver of the Week award.
–CB Bryce Hall was targeted four times against Ohio and did not allow a reception. In addition, Hall tallied two pass breakups and paced a Virginia secondary that had some trouble covering Ohio’s receivers last week. Hall will need to continue to be a key piece to the Cavaliers’ cover-corner unit against a Louisville team that will put the ball in the air.
–LB Zane Zandier recorded a career-high 10 tackles including 1.5 sacks against Ohio, the first of his career. The sophomore was all over the field against the Bobcats and showed his versatility at the linebacker position in his ability to tackle as well as cover the middle of the field. While Lamar Jackson is no longer at Louisville, Zandier will have the chance to face a Cardinals’ offense that has speed in a variety of different positions.
SERIES HISTORY: Louisville leads Virginia 4-2 with the Cardinals winning last season 38-21.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Facing Lamar Jackson my first two seasons here, it’s difficult to describe how to face them (Louisville). You have to have at least one guy to account for him which means you can’t play a normal defense. Neither of the QB’s they’ve used this year is Lamar, but it will still be a challenge.” — Coach Bronco Mendenhall
