Louisville came to play against Florida in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night, and that was evident from the first play of the game from scrimmage. Cornerback Terrell Floyd intercepted a pass from Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel and returned it for a touchdown to start the game, and the Cardinals never looked back on their way to a stunning 33-23 victory.
Hardly anyone gave Louisville a chance against the No. 3-ranked Gators — including myself. One analyst who was particularly outspoken in bashing the Cardinals was ESPN’s David Pollack, who said before the game that he expected Florida to come away with a 15-point win that actually felt like 30. According to Louisville head coach Charlie Strong, Pollack’s prediction served as a major motivator.
“{ESPN analyst David] Pollack got us fired up earlier today, when he said it was going to be a 15-point game in their favor and it was gonna feel like a 30-point game,” Strong said after the game, via CBSSports.com. “And then he said our defense hasn’t played well all year. So this is for him.”
In his defense, Pollack was quick to admit how wrong he was after the game:
Still amazed about what Louisville just did. Their defense stepped up like they haven’t all year. I was so wrong.
— David Pollack(@davidpollack47) January 3, 2013
In reality, Louisville won by 10 and it felt like they won by 30. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater lit up the Gators’ top-ranked defense and threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns. But the most impressive stat of all? Louisville only had to punt the ball once the entire game — in the fourth quarter.
All throughout the month of December, Louisville was given little-to-no respect. Like Northern Illinois, the Cardinals had to listen to analysts rant about how they had no business being in a BCS bowl game. Unlike the Huskies, who made themselves look terrible had to hear about it afterword, Louisville successfully silenced its critics against one of the best teams in the country.
