Isaac Brown garnered 126 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries and Louisville amassed 543 yards of offense on Saturday and drubbed visiting Eastern Kentucky 51-17 in the season-opening game for both team.
Louisville held its FCS guests to just 150 yards, including just 38 in the first half. Brown did his damage in less than a quarter-and-a-half. Last season’s ACC leader in rushing average scored on runs of 31 and 68 yards.
Miller Moss played only in the first half and went 17-for-25 passing for 223 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. The former Southern California starter spread his passes across to eight receivers, and he also added a rushing score in the victory.
Caullin Lacy had a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown, which ranks as the second-longest in Louisville history. He also caught four of Moss’ passes for 62 yards.
The Cardinals scored touchdowns on each of their first five drives and led 41-0 with 2:58 remaining in the first half after Keyjuan Brown’s 1-yard touchdown.
Coach Jeff Brohm brought in second- and third-stringers to play in the second half. Brady Allen completed six of his nine throws for 69 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Despite the lopsided score, not everything went swimmingly for the Cardinals. They committed 12 penalties for 106 yards. While the offense did not allow any sacks, it did have three interceptions. Two of those miscues led to touchdowns for the Colonels.
Brady Hensley scored the Colonels’ lone offensive touchdown but gained just 24 yards on nine carries. Eastern Kentucky also gained 69 of its yards on its final drive of the game, which resulted in a 38-yard Buzz Flabiano field goal with 1:06 remaining.
Vito Tisdale Jr. snagged two interceptions, including one that bounced off Louisville receiver TreyShun Hurry’s hands that he returned 29 yards for a Colonels touchdown with 50 seconds left in the first half. He gained 72 return yards on his turnovers.
Myles Burkett completed just 5 of 14 passes for 76 yards for Eastern Kentucky.
