College Sports

Louisville seeks follow-up win vs rested Florida St. in ACC

Posted September 15, 2022 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Central Florida defensive end Josh Celiscar, left, closes in on Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Florida State (2-0, 0-0 ACC) at Louisville (1-1, 0-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Florida State by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel.com Sportsbook.

Series: Florida State leads 16-6.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Florida State is playing for the first time since escaping LSU 24-23 on Sept. 4 with a blocked extra point with no time left. The Seminoles aim to break a two-game slide against the Cardinals, who return home after holding off UCF 20-14. Louisville seeks its first Atlantic Coast Conference win two weeks after losing at Syracuse in the opener.

KEY MATCHUP

Louisville QB Malik Cunningham vs. FSU secondary. The mobile Cunningham rebounded from a rough outing at Syracuse with 313 yards from scrimmage at UCF, including a 43-yard touchdown run. He has passed for 8,441 of his 11,215 total yards and 62 of his 101 TDs but faces a Seminoles unit that returned every defensive backfield starter. The Seminoles rank second in the ACC in pass defense, allowing 140 yards per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida State QB Jordan Travis looks to build on his 260-yard, two-TD, sack-free outing against LSU. He's also a running threat, standing first all time among 'Noles QBs with 1,359 yards rushing and ranking 15th with 18 TDs.

Louisville S Kenderick Duncan posted a career-best 13 tackles with 10 solos at UCF and is one of the Cardinals' best defenders. The Georgia Southern transfer has made 93 stops in 15 starts, including 76 last season.

FACTS AND FIGURES

The Seminoles are allowing an ACC-low 0.50 sacks per game, which is tied for 14th nationally. ... Six players have rushed for FSU's seven TDs, including linebacker DJ Lundy, who lined up at fullback and ran for a 1-yard score against LSU. ... Louisville is playing its second consecutive Friday night game. ... Cardinals TE Marshon Ford has caught a pass in 26 consecutive games. ... Louisville will retire Michael Bush's No. 19 jersey during the game. He's eighth all time with 2,508 yards rushing and third with 39 TDs.

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Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (13) passes in the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press

Louisville players, including running back Tiyon Evans (7), celebrate after defeating Central Florida in an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is sacked by Florida State defensive tackle Fabien Lovett and defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press

Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield directs players on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Florida State running back Treshaun Ward (8) carries against LSU cornerback Mekhi Garner (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press

Florida State wide receiver Ontaria Wilson (80) pulls in a touchdown reception over LSU cornerback Mekhi Garner (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Associated Press

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