Pitt will have its hands full in trying to contain an explosive Louisville offense, but it may be a little bit easier than previously expected.
According to a report from the Kentucky Roll Call’s T.J. Walker, Louisville will be without top wide receiver Jamari Thrash against Pitt tomorrow night — a big blow to an explosive Cardinals offense.
Thrash, a 6-foot, 180-pound grad transfer from Georgia State, has been one of the best wide receivers in the ACC so far this season, racking up 30 receptions for 519 yards (17.3 yards per reception) and six touchdowns.
“The receivers are physical, they make plays, they’re quick, they get out of their breaks well,” Narduzzi said Thursday at his weekly press conference. “Again, they will block you. I’m impressed with their toughness. I think Brohm does a great job scheming you up, but they’re a talented football team, for sure.”
And if Thrash is unable to go against Pitt, it’s certainly a major loss for Cards quarterback Jack Plummer and the offense.
Plummer has been very effective for Louisville this season, completing 103-of-156 pass attempts (66%) for 1,551 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions, and it’s Thrash who has been that go-to target.
Thrash has more than double the targets (and receptions) of Louisville’s second-leading receiver, and despite two drops, he’s forced 13 missed tackles, converted 21 first downs and has a 156.3 passer rating when being targeted.
It goes without saying that Thrash’s absence is a game-changer.
Jahwar Jordan, the ACC’s leading rusher with 653 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns, will obviously be leaned upon more heavily — especially in the forecasted rain — and the remaining wideouts will receive more work.
Ahmari Huggins-Bruce is Louisville’s second-leading receiver, with 14 receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns, and wideouts Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman have each racked up at least 170 yards through the air.
Louisville boasts one of the top offenses in the ACC this season, one that is fourth in scoring (36.3 points per game), third in total offense (467.3 yards per game), fourth in passing offense (275 passing yards per game) and fourth in rushing offense (192.3 rushing yards per game) in the ACC, and it’s certainly one of the best Pitt has — and likely will — face this season.
It won’t be a factor. When your defense is on the field as much as Pitt’s is eventually high school kids will get open b/c the DBs are dead tired. The only thing that will help Pitt’s D is the offense getting first downs and no ints.