Clemson Football Opponent Preview: Louisville Looks for Another Big Year Under Brohm - Game 8: Clemson vs. Louisville

Louisville won 10 of its first 11 games in 2023 before rounding it off with a close loss to Kentucky in the regular season finale. Nonetheless, the Cardinals earned their chance at an ACC Championship against Florida State.

Their offense was stifled, and the Seminoles won. The loss sent the Cardinals to the Holiday Bowl, where they were defeated for a third time in a row, this time by USC to end the season.

The question for Louisville this year is whether it has the talent, or enough talent, to finish the job, which is what makes their Game 8 matchup against Clemson so big in the ACC race.

OFFENSE

Former Texas Tech transfer Tyler Shough will lead the offense this coming season.

Shough’s talents will be highly used with the likes of physical receiver Chris Bell, along with speedy transfers Ja’Corey Brooks (Alabama) and Caullin Lacy (South Alabama), amongst others. Tight end transfer Mark Redman from San Diego State is also expected to make a big impact on the offense.

Leading rushers from 2023, Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo, are both gone. In comes the talents of Donald Chaney, a Miami transfer, along with the veteran experience of Maurice Turner.

Shough is also a more mobile quarterback than their previous offensive leader, so the rushing attack is expected to be strong this year.

DEFENSE

Though there is some talent, depth along the defensive front and at safety is thin. However, the Cardinals have a strong corps of cornerbacks that might prove to be the strength of the defense.

Defensive coordinator Ron English was able to go to the portal and pull in Yahveon Nicholson from Illinois, Corey Thornton from UCF and Tayon Holloway from North Carolina. He added those three to go with returner Quincy Riley.

TJ Quin, the team’s leading tackle in ’23, is back at linebacker and is joined by Stanquan Clark, who really came on as a true freshman a year ago.

Though the Cardinals lack depth on the defensive line, playmaker Ashton Gillotte returns at defensive end, along with senior defensive tackle Dezmond Tell.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Continuing on from last season, senior kicker Brock Travelstead is back. He made 70 percent of his field goals last year, but the necessity of his growth will continue to rise as the offense gets more dominant.

Senior Brady Hodges is expected to assume the starting role at punter, while a plethora of talented returners will offer much variety on special teams.

OVERVIEW

Second year coach Jeff Brohm has already showed promise for the future and things look pretty good for 2024.

In his first year with the team, he led the Cardinals to the program’s first ACC Championship. With talented returners and plenty of depth all around, combined with incoming transfers with loads of promise, all pieced together with a powerful and comfortable system, Louisville football is in the midst of a revival.