LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Indiana State took a 7-3 first-quarter lead but was held to 101 yards on the night by the Louisville defense in a 30-10 loss at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium Saturday night. In front of 39,344 fans, the Sycamores dropped to 0-2 on the season, while UL improved to 1-0.
The Sycamore defense proved that Louisville wouldn’t be the only defensive force on the evening as Indiana State put the stops to the Cardinal offense as well in their season opener.
ISU defensive back Santino Davis highlighted the game for ISU by posting a pair of interceptions – the most over any FBS opponent in ISU history – including one that set up a touchdown drive that gave the Sycamores an early 7-3 lead. Davis’ two interceptions in one game are the fifth-best showing in school history, and is the best performance since John Allman against Illinois State on Oct. 27, 1979.
Louisville produced a balanced offensive attack in its season opener, as Victor Anderson rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Justin Burke had a 17-for-31 passing night for 223 yards, and Ryan Payne also kicked three field goals of 28, 21 and 31 yards, respectively.
For the Sycamores, Antoine Brown led the ground game with 14 yards on nine carries, and Darrius Gates produced eight yards on 10 tries. Larry Lacotti had three receptions for 26 yards, while Ryan Roberts totaled 24 yards on two receptions. Defensively, Aaron Archie had the most tackles of any player on either team with 9.5.
Louisville jumped on the board first with a field goal by Payne at 9:44 in the first quarter. The Sycamores responded with an interception by Davis just before the 6:00 mark, grabbing a Burke pass at the Louisville 33-yardline and returned it four yards to the UL 29. The pick set up a touchdown drive led by ISU quarterback Chris Stutzriem, who guided a seven-play, 29-yard drive. The sophomore faced a third-and-goal situation from the 3-yard-line before a short touchdown run – his first rushing TD of the season – with 1:30 remaining. Braulio Martinez added an extra-point kick to give ISU a 7-3 lead to finish the first quarter.
The Cardinals rallied with two touchdowns in the second quarter, with Powell finding the end zone first on a six-yard touchdown run at 9:57, putting UL up 10-7. Louisville then worked its way down the field again, as Victor Anderson scored with 5:03 remaining in the half on a six-yard run. The Sycamores’ Davis intercepted his second pass of the game in the final minute, and ISU trailed 17-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, UL went up 24-7 on a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Anderson and a Payne kick. The Cardinals extended the lead with 49 seconds remaining in the quarter, with Payne’s field goal for a 27-7 score. Gates added a spark with a 55-yard kickoff return for ISU, bringing the ball to the UL 31 with 49 seconds to go.
Travis Johnson entered the game in place of Stutzriem to begin the drive, tossing a 15-yard pass to Lacotti to take it to the UL 16 and later hitting Lacotti again for a five-yard completion at the 13 yardline. The drive allowed Martinez to kick a 30-yard field goal at 12:58 to chip the Cardinal lead to 27-10.
UL tacked on another field goal from Payne at 7:52, increasing the lead to 30-10 and giving the Cardinals their first win of the season.
The Sycamores were efficient in the game, converting on 7-of-16 third down conversions while holding Louisville to just 1-of-9.
Indiana State returns to Terre Haute to face off with Eastern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 12:05 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
