GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: RB Benny Snell should have a big day against Louisville’s porous run defense. He has averaged nearly 110 yards a game and is coming off his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season while the Cardinals have surrendered nearly 272 yards a game to opposing runners.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Josh Allen remains Kentucky’s top NFL prospect and should go early in the draft. He has been a consistent performer after electing to return for his senior season instead of entering last year’s draft. Coach Mark Stoops, a former assistant at Florida State, Arizona and Miami (Fla.), says he has never had a defensive player who has had a better season than the one Allen is having. “I’ve had a Thorpe winner and a couple runners-up and been in the Thorpe several times,” he said. “But just the way he impacts the game being a big guy, he’s really remarkable. And he’s so unselfish.”
ROSTER REPORT:
–LB Josh Allen is a finalist for the Butkus Award that goes to the nation’s top linebacker. He leads the SEC and is third nationally in sacks with 13 and leads the SEC and is 11th among all FBS teams in tackles for loss with 17.5. He also has forced five fumbles, second in the country.
–DE Josh Paschal saw his first action of the season. The sophomore started against Middle Tennessee after missing the first 10 games while undergoing three surgeries and undergoing immunotherapy for a malignant melanoma on the bottom of his foot. He was credited with one tackle.
–NB Quinton Bohahanna recorded the first sack of his career in the win over Middle Tennessee. The sophomore had three tackles overall.
–LB Jordan Wright will return after missing the win over Middle Tennessee with a knee injury. “He’s been a little bit iffy with a minor knee injury, but he should be back,” coach Mark Stoops said. Wright has three tackles and a pass breakup in seven games.
–DT Tymere Dubose will return after sitting out the win over Middle Tennessee State serving a suspension for violation of team rules. He has 10 tackles (1.5 for losses) in 10 games.
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