By Sam Draut

The number 18 University of Louisville football team defeated South Florida 34-3 on Saturday at Raymond

James Stadium in Tampa.

After being dealt its first loss last week, the 7-1 Cardinals were led by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater who threw

for 344 yards completing 25 of 29 passes for two touchdowns. Bridgewater has thrown for over 300 yards six times

this season.

The defense returned to form after giving up 446 yards of total offense and 38 points last week. U of L held the,

2-5 Bulls to just 133 total yards and eight first downs.

“You can’t let one game beat us twice and we weren’t going to let that game last week come and beat us again,” U

of L head coach Charlie Strong said.

Led by linebackers Preston Brown and James Burgess who finished with four tackles a piece, the defense allowed

just 38 yards rushing on 20 attempts.

“Those guys are a reliable group of guys and they live up to expectations,” Bridgewater said.

Defensive end Marcus Smith finished with two of the Cardinals four sacks.

The U of L offense controlled the tempo, dominating time of possession at 41:43 compared to USF’s 18:17.

Dominique Brown highlighted the rushing attack in his first start of the season, running for 134 yards on 18

carries. Also, he led the team with six receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.

The Cardinal offense started the game with a nine play 90 yard drive that was capped off by a 20 yard touchdown

pass from Bridgewater to Damian Copeland. The balanced drive included four passing plays for 46 yards and six

runs for 44 yards.

Midway through the second quarter, tight end Gerald Christian scored on a 69-yard pass from Bridgewater,

putting U of L up 17-3.

“That’s a play that’s been working for us all season. It’s a play action and those guys just execute their

assignments,” Bridgewater said.

Bridgewater’s last drive of the day ended with a five-yard touchdown pass to Brown. The 14 play 81 yard drive

put the Cardinals up 27-3.

Cornerback Charles Gaines added an interception that he returned 70 yards for a touchdown solidifying the

score at 34-3.

“We can always improve. We’ve got an open date coming up where we can improve on our fundamentals and

techniques and get ready for the next one,” Strong said.

U of L has a bye next week and will face the Connecticut Huskies on Nov. 8 in East Hartford.

“We know that we let one slip away, but we still have five more opportunities to win and we took care of one

today. We’ll continue to fight and take it one game at a time,” Bridgewater said.