LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tyler Shough passed for four touchdowns in his Louisville debut, freshman Isaac Brown added a 77-yard scoring run and the Cardinals scored on six of their first seven possessions to overwhelm Austin Peay 62-0 in Saturday's season opener for both teams.
Louisville flexed its muscle right away against the FCS Governors and never let up in the inaugural meeting between schools that each won at least nine games and reached the postseason last year. The Cardinals gained 56 yards on their first three plays alone, though that game-opening drive stalled near the red zone and they had to settle for Brock Travelstead's 30-yard field goal.
They added seven offensive touchdowns from there, with Shough's arm leading the way toward a 38-0 halftime lead. The Texas Tech transfer completed 18 of 24 passes for 232 yards in just two quarters, while his TD total tied Browning Nagle for the best starting debut by a Louisville QB. Jadon Thompson pulled in two of those scores for 33 and 5 yards, the second score coming just two plays after T.J. Capers' 29-yard interception return to the Austin Peay 13.
Ja'Corey Brooks and tight end Mark Redman caught scoring passes of 9 and 21 yards, while Keyjuan Brown rushed for a 4-yard score as Louisville outgained APSU 321-82 at the break.
The Cardinals didn't let up, as Brown busted through the right side for his big score and finished with 123 yards on five carries. Ramon Puryear returned a fumble 22 yards for another TD, and Duke Watson rushed for a 7-yard score late in the third quarter.
Louisville's defense stifled the Govs in every phase, allowing them just 34 yards rushing and recording seven sacks. Austin Smith completed 11 of 16 passes for 53 yards after relieving an injured Mason Garcia, the only statistical highlight on a day they were outgained 571-106.
THE TAKEAWAY
Austin Peay welcomed 55 new faces from last season not counting coach Jeff Faris and his staff, but full familiarity with each other wouldn't have helped the Govs against the more-powerful Cardinals. They crossed midfield just once in the second quarter before punting for the fifth time, while their defense allowed almost nine yards per play.
Louisville broke in another transfer quarterback in Shough, and for one game the Cardinals might have found potential playmakers after losing many of its stars from last season. The ground game produced 293 yards for balance, with Watson adding 86 yards and Keyjuan Brown 65.
UP NEXT
Austin Peay hosts Southern Illinois next Saturday.
Louisville hosts Jacksonville State on Saturday in its final non-conference game before its first of two bye weeks.
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