Tonight wasn’t one of the most exciting games of the year, but our Cards got the job done playing in front of a sparse crowd of disinterested UCONN fans winning the game that seemed to last forever 31-10. This marks the end of a series that has seen some of the strangest games ever played and tonight was no exception. I think I can speak on behalf of all Cardinal Nation and say that none of us will miss it. The Cardinals will end the series with a 6 to 4 advantage.

This wasn’t one of the best games that Louisville has played this season by any stretch of the imagination. They had trouble running the ball (81 yards) and the receivers probably dropped more passes than I’ve seen them drop in a long time. But this was the first game of the season with temperatures barely in the 30’s and that could have had an impact on the players. There were some good things that happened. Teddy Bridgewater takes a lot of heat for not walking on water sometimes and tonight was one of those occasions. He did throw for 288 yards with a touchdown and completed 21 of 37 passes. He has thrown 24 touchdown passes this season and has at least one scoring pass in 21 straight games. That’s the second longest streak among BCS-AQ Quarterbacks. The kid is completing almost 74 percent of his passes. I’m just amazed when people disregard what he means to this team, and his ability. I’m sure they’ll see what I mean next year when he’s gone. The defense looked good with three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Terell Floyd had a 17 yard interception for a touchdown, and Charles Gaines with a 7 yard touchdown off a blocked punt. With his 2.5 sacks tonight Defensive end Marcus Smith becomes the national sack leader with 10.5 on the season.

It seems like this Louisville football team is an easy target for people who love to be critical. These guys took a lot of heat tonight for winning a road game by 21 points. I didn’t hear that much when then #15 Michigan escaped with a 3 point win at UCONN a few weeks ago. Our Cards were facing an up hill battle from the glass half empty crowd from the start of this season. It didn’t matter what they did and it still doesn’t matter. I’ve said a million times that all the guys can do is win the games they have in front of them and tonight they did. They are going to a bowl game and are 8-1. Some may want more or expect more but that’s the reality. It could be a lot worse. We could have to wear bags on our heads like the UCONN folks did tonight. I’ve read several times tonight that big time programs give it all they got no matter the opponent. Well big time fan bases support their team no matter what. Let’s be big time Cardinal Nation…