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UCF at Louisville: Preview, How to Watch, TV, Predictions, and Keys to the Game

The Knights head up to Kentucky for their first road test of the season

Derek Warden

The UCF Knights (2-0) play their first road game of the season against a foe with whom they have a brief but significant history: the Louisville Cardinals.

Let’s get ready:


Game Day Guide

When: 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky

Line: UCF -7, Over/under 67 (OddsShark)

How to Watch

TV: ESPN

Stream: ESPN+

Crew: Jason Benetti (play-by-play), former Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)

Series

All-time: Tied 1-1.

Last Meeting: 2013 - The Drive


Keys to the Game

When UCF Has the Ball

Like Boise State, UCF is going to use the run to set up the pass. Isaiah Bowser has proven to be a tough player to take down, so expect Louisville to probably commit seven to the box. This should allow more one on one coverage between UL’s secondary and UCF’s wide receivers. This gives a major edge to the UCF offense, which should be able to generate plenty of yardage.

UCF’s Key Players to Watch

  • #11 QB Dillon Gabriel — 65.7%, 630 yards, 6 TD/2 INT in 2021
  • #5 RB Isaiah Bowser — 231 yards, 5 TDs, 5.2 ypc in 2021

Louisville’s Key Players to Watch

  • #27 Kenderick Duncan — 15 total tackles in 2021
  • #13 Kei’Trel Clark — 9 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 2 INTs in 2021

When Louisville Has the Ball

Chick-fil-A Kickoff - Louisville v Ole Miss
Louisville QB Malik Cunningham
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

This is the Malik Cunningham show. The team is going to be made or broken by how he plays. UCF has long struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks and he is only one carry from being the team leader in rushing attempts. Expect plenty of running from Cunningham if the defensive line is able to generate a strong pass rush.

Louisville’s Key Players to Watch

  • #3 QB Malik Cunningham — 61.7%, 469 pass yards, 2 TDs/1 INT, plus 108 yards and 4 TDs rushing in 2021
  • #9 WR Ahmari Huggins-Bruce — 6 receptions, 169 yards, 28.1 yards per catch in 2021

UCF’s Key Players to Watch

  • #22 Kalia Davis — 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss in 2021
  • #11 Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste — 10 tackles, 2 TFLs in 2021

Podcast

Listen to our latest podcast as we preview the game:

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