BC Football Preview: Recent History Against the Louisville Cardinals

Since joining the ACC in 2014, the Louisville Cardinals have displayed a herculean prowess that has made most of the conference view them as a team that somehow emerged out of the shadows to be in contention for a top 25 spot in the AP Poll standings. While this bit of dominance has been able to be seen across all lines of sports (scandals aside; although it is hard to ignore), most of the football program’s success has leaned on the shoulders of Heisman Trophy winner, Lamar Jackson. With a Michael Vick-esque physique and playing style, Jackson was able to carve up opponents up and down the field leaving all spectators in awe. After deciding to opt-out of his senior year to play for the Baltimore Ravens, Jackson set records that nobody could have fathomed a collegiate QB could be capable of doing. I mean, just look at these stats:

Needless to say, this kid did A LOT for this football program and BC was, more often than not, a frequent guest on ‘The Lamar Jackson Show’. However, all good things must come to an end. Now that the Cards have sent their superstar on a midnight train to Baltimore (yes, I realize what I did there), does this mean that the tables have turned in favor of the Eagles? This year’s game is going to be a game of two teams with two different stock values. Jackson’s departure puts the Cards on a perceived decline with ESPN ranking them to finish 7th in the preseason ACC poll while the Eagles have been appreciating in stock value with them projected to finish 4th in the conference. If we take a look at the recent history between these two programs, it is evident that the Eagles were mostly defeated by Jackson himself. But now that the Lamar threat is no more, this has opened up a golden opportunity for the Eagles to dominate in the battle of the birds.

September 26, 1998: Boston College 28 vs. Louisville 52

• Given that this game was a rather uncommonly scheduled game for its time, I can’t find any stats for the game.
• I guess the score speaks for itself.

November 8th, 2014: Boston College 19 vs. Louisville 38

• Location: Chestnut Hill, MA
• In a game under the lights of Alumni Stadium, Louisville managed to outscore BC 21-6 in the second half and clinch their first win against BC as a member of the ACC.
• While this was a year before the Lamar Jackson era, Cardinal Devante Parker was able to fill the void as the superstar of the night as he carved up the Eagles secondary catching 8 passes for 144 yards and 2 TDs.
• QB Tyler Murphy had a rough outing as he threw 4 interceptions and finished with only 42 yards on the ground.

October 24th, 2015: Boston College 14 vs. Louisville 17

• Location: Papa John’s Stadium, Louisville KY
• While the Eagles did put a good fight against the Cards, some critical errors by the offensive line ended up being extremely costly for the Eagles.
• The O-line gave up 8 sacks on the days including a forced fumble that turned into a scoop and score by Sheldon Rankins.
• This put the Eagles in the hole early, but a blocked punt returned for a TD by Elijah Robinson and a rushing TD by Jeff Smith after a fumble return by Harold Landry put the Eagles in a position to grab the upset.
• However, on Smith’s rushing TD he ended up having the leave the game with concussion like symptoms putting in, you guessed it, Troy Flutie.
• The Eagles had one last drive to comeback and at least tie the game, but Troy simply could not move the ball and wound up being sacked on a 4th and 12 to clinch the game for the Cards.

November 5th, 2016: Boston College 7 vs. Louisville 52

• Location: Chestnut Hill, MA
• This game just screams bloody murder.
• Lamar Jackson was at the pinnacle of his collegiate career and boy did he put on a show for the fans at Alumni.
• In this game alone, Jackson ran 15 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns. Oh, did I mention he also sat out most of the second-half?
• Eventually, Addazio hit the mercy button and they replaced Jackson with back-up QB Kyle Bolin.
• Needless to say, this game was over before it even began.

October 14th, 2017L Boston College 45 vs. Louisville 42

• Location: Papa John’s Stadium, Louisville KY
• This game always hits me in the feels. I don’t think words will do enough justice. Just watch this highlight reel of AJ Dillon going HAM and rushing for 4 TDs with BC clinching the game as time expired on a 30 yard chip shot from Colton Lichtenberg (a feat in itself)

Boston College Upsets Louisville