By Josh Lipka

After a frustrating loss against the University of Kentucky, an expected win over Eastern Kentucky University, and a tough loss to powerhouse Oregon State University, the University of Louisville football offense has begun to show potential for success.

The Cardinals started to show their true colors, as senior quarterback Adam Froman and the offensive line grinded to put points on the scoreboard until the very last play against No. 25 OSU on Sept. 18. But, after an impressive comeback for U of L, OSU’s James Dockery intercepted Froman’s pass – a pass that could have tied or won the game for the Cardinals.

The Cardinal offense proved a constant threat, thanks to Froman and his line. It’s an unsettling task to travel across the country to a Top 25 program and play in front of 45,000 opposing fans, but the Cards proved themselves worthy.

At the early stages of the OSU game, everything seemed to be going well for the Cardinals. With three minutes to go in the second quarter, senior running back Bilal Powell tied the game 14-14 with an 11-yard run. But OSU would soon separate themselves, scoring three consecutive touchdowns and exposing the Cardinal defense.

After the road turned rocky for the Cardinals defensively, the U of L offense had to put points on the board just to keep the game from turning into a blowout. Behind by three touchdowns, all hope seemed to be lost. But instead of cowardly rolling over in the midst of a hectic environment – as Cardinal fans had become accustomed to last season – with less than five minutes left in the third quarter, Froman and the offense came alive.

With the clock ticking in the third quarter, Froman made a 5-yard run to put the Cardinals within 14 points. Then Froman completed a 2-yard pass to senior tight end Cameron Graham, to rally back within seven points.

The performance of Froman and the offensive line was anything but a fluke. Froman threw for a season’s best of 288 yards. Senior wide receiver Doug Beaumont had nine catches for 121 yards, while Powell had 83 yards rushing, scoring his fourth touchdown this season. Battling in a hostile atmosphere against a highly ranked opponent, luck cannot vouch for such statistics.

Perhaps in the end the Cardinals fell short. But with heads raised high the Cardinals have become aware of the program’s potential to compete among the nation’s best.

Improving the Cardinals’ defensive tactics, along with Froman’s offense, could potentially bring the success the city of Louisville is seeking. With the combination of head coach Charlie Strong’s coaching staff, exceptional facilities and a prominent Cardinal fan base, the sky is the limit.

Hopes and dreams for a successful football team are far from lost. The Cardinals may have gotten off to a slow start against UK, but the offense proved it can take care of a weaker EKU team. The game against OSU was a glimpse of the Cardinals’ ability to play strong teams on the road. They have continued to show improvement. With this kind of momentum, Charlie Strong and his U of L football team will be bowl-bound before we know it.

Josh is a senior communication major. E-mail him at [email protected]