College Sports

Louisville, J Madison seek bowl eligibility in 1st meeting

Posted November 03, 2022 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman (10) is sacked by Louisville defensive back Kei'Trel Clark (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

James Madison (5-2) at Louisville (5-3), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDT (ESPNU)

Line: Louisville by 7 1/2 according to FanDuel.com Sportsbook.

Series: First meeting.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

James Madison faces its lone Power Five opponent this season and comes off an open date looking for its first win in three games. Teetering toward collapse a month ago, resurgent Louisville now seeks to become bowl-eligible with a fourth consecutive win. The Cardinals must avoid looking past this game and toward next week's ACC game at No. 5 Clemson.

KEY MATCHUP

James Madison quarterback Todd Centeio, if he plays, vs. Louisville's defense. Centeio did not play in a Sun Belt Conference loss to Marshall but has keyed the Dukes' rapid transition in FBS with his arm and feet, passing for 1,780 of his 2,188 yards and 17 of his 22 touchdowns. He would take on a Cardinals defense coming off an eight-turnover performance against then-No. 10 Wake Forest, including six in one quarter. Louisville returned two interceptions for touchdowns and eight different players had sacks.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

James Madison: Senior wide receiver Kris Thornton continues to move up the Dukes' career lists. The VMI transfer ranks fifth with 2,214 career yards, third with 21 TDs and seventh with 150 receptions. He enters with 689 yards and five TDs on 41 receptions.

Louisville: Defensive back Kei'Trel Clark has scored defensive touchdowns in consecutive games, the first Cardinal to do so since A.J. Jacobs in 1974. He returned a fumble 59 yards for the clinching TD against Pittsburgh before following up with a 46-yard interception return against Wake Forest.

FACTS AND FIGURES

James Madison is 2-9 against the ACC, last winning against Virginia Tech in 2010. ... The Dukes were No. 25 in the AP poll last month after just five games in FBS. ... JMU ranks 13th in scoring offense (38.8 points per game) and 18th in total offense (480.7 yards). ... Louisville has forced at least three turnovers in five consecutive games, and its 21 takeaways over that span are the most since 1995. ... Running back Tiyon Evans returned from a two-game injury absence to rush for a season-high 106 yards against Wake Forest, including a 52-yard TD run. ... Louisville's 14 interceptions rank second in FBS, one behind Illinois.

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James Madison running back Percy Agyei-Obese (31) dives for extra yards as he escapes from a mob of Marshall defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP) The Associated Press

Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley (3) looks back at his pursuit as he returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Louisville won 48-21. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

James Madison defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (0) sacks Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP) The Associated Press

Louisville running back Tiyon Evans runs from the Wake Forest defense on route to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Louisville won 48-21. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

James Madison quarterback Billy Atkins (11) winds up a pass in traffic during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Marshall in Harrisonburg, Va. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP) The Associated Press

Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham is hit by Wake Forest linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr. and defensive lineman Jacorey Johns as he crosses the goal line to score during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Louisville won 48-21. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

Louisville running back Trevion Cooley is grabbed by Wake Forest defensive lineman Jasheen Davis during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

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