PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Jawon Pass was the starter vs. Florida State. He was sharp in the first half, leading Louisville to three touchdowns while running the offense effectively, but he struggled mightily in the second half while battling leg cramps. He had trouble locating his passes, threw a crucial interception in the Red Zone in the final two minutes and couldn’t complete a pass on Louisville’s final drive.
–S Dee Smith currently leads Louisville in tackles with 32 after the first five games. The senior from Florence, Ala., had seven tackles against Florida State last Saturday. He could be a key during Friday night’s match-up against Georgia Tech.
–DE Tabarius Peterson has been filling in admirably for injured starter Jonathan Greenard. Peterson had eight total tackles including a tackle for a loss against Indiana State and has been productive ever since. Peterson is Louisville’s second-leading tackler so far this season with 26 total tackles including 4.0 tackles for a loss and a half-sack.
–DB Rodjay Burns is a starting corner, but he is most effective as Louisville’s punt returner. So far this season, the Ohio State transfer has returned nine punts for an average of 16.4 yards per return including a touchdown on a return against Indiana State. Burns also has 17 tackles and 1.5 TFL on defense.
SERIES HISTORY: Despite being in the same conference for the last four seasons — and sharing a league for years in basketball, Louisville and Georgia Tech have never met in football. Friday night will be the two programs’ first meeting, and their next meeting isn’t scheduled for another eight years due to the ACC schedule rotation.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “To be in a position to win the game, be right there, turn the ball over. If I had to do it over again, obviously I’d call a run play, make it easy.” — Louisville coach Bobby Petrino on losing to FSU last week in heartbreaking fashion.
