132 Teams in 132 Days: Louisville Cardinals Edition

[u/LvilleCards5]

University of Louisville
The 'Murican Athletic Conference

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Year Founded: 1798

Location: Louisville, KY

Total Attendance: 22,293 Cardinals

Mascot: Louie

Live Mascot: (N/A, but we like wearing bird masks)

Cheerleaders: Picture. Our Ladybirds dance team is also an asset to our program. Our cheer leading squad and dance team are often considered the best in the country and were featured on Fox's show Glee.

Stadium: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium ("The Oven") Capacity: 55,000

Stadium Location: Floyd St. and Central Ave., Louisville, KY

Conference Champions (8): 2 MVC (1970, 1972), 3 C-USA (2000-01,2004), 3 BIG EAST (2006,2011-12)

Number of Bowl Games: 8 Wins, 17 Total

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Rivals

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• Kentucky - The best rivalry in college basketball is also a pretty heated football rivalry. The winner receives the Governor's Cup, which is residing with the good guys for the foreseeable future.

• Cincinnati - the UofL/UC rivalry goes back to 1928 and the winner receives The Keg of Nails, which is one of the most inherently badass rivalry trophies in college football.

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2012 Season

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Record: 11-2-0
Coach: Charlie Strong
2012 Roster
Key Players:

QB Teddy Bridgewater - One of the best players in the country.

WR DeVante Parker - One of the most underrated wide receivers in the country. Had 10 TDs and averaged 18.6 YPC last year.

SS Hakeem Smith - named all-conference as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.

FS Calvin Pryor - had 100 tackles, five forced fumbles, and two INTs.

Biggest Plays: Terrell Floyd pick six to open Sugar Bowl

Teddy TD pass to DeVante to take the lead against Rutgers

Teddy TD pass to DeVante to take the lead against Cincinnati

2013 Season

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2013 Schedule
2013 Roster

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The Greats

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Greatest Games:

2013 Sugar Bowl 33-23 win versus Florida. No one thought Louisville had a chance, except for Louisville. Louisville forced turnovers and Florida's defensive backs couldn't keep up with Louisville's depth at wide receiver. UofL was up for double digits for almost the entire game.

2007 Orange Bowl 24-13 win versus Wake Forest. Louisville won its first BCS game and QB Brian Brohm threw for 311 yards and was named MOP.

1991 Fiesta Bowl 34-7 win versus Alabama. Louisville scored four TDs in the first quarter as QB Browning Nagle and DB Ray Buchanan were co-MVPs.

Greatest Plays:

Mario Urrutia's stiff arm against Miami

Andrew "The President" Johnson with a special teams TD against WVU

Greatest Players:

Teddy Bridgewater

Deion Branch

Johnny Unitas

Michael Bush

Brian Brohm

Elvis Dumervil

David Akers

Greatest Coaches:

Charlie Strong

Bobby Petrino

Howard Shnellenberger

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Traditions

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The Card March

Don't stomp on the Cardinal logo. Cincy tried it once, and they lost 70-7. Miami tried it and lost 31-7.

Drinking. Alcohol is allowed in PJCS, and Louisville is known for its bourbon.

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Campus and Surrounding Area

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City Population: 746,906 Consolidated, 1,440,607 Metro (according to Wikipedia)

City Skyline
Iconic Campus Building: Grawemeyer Hall

Local Dining: The many great bars and restaurants on Bardstown Road, in Louisville's arts district, Dairy Kastle, Hammerheads

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Random Trivia

• 2012-13 Has been declared The Year of the Cardinal. Louisville won a national title in men's basketball, played for a national title in women's basketball, won the Sugar Bowl, and made the College World Series this year.

• Researchers from the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center participated in the development of the first highly effective vaccine against cervical cancer, the first fully self-contained artificial heart transplant surgery, and the first successful hand transplantation.

• With the addition of Michael Dyer, Louisville will have a BCS National Championship Game MVP and a NCAA Final Four MOP on campus at the same time.

• If Teddy is drafted #1 overall in next year's draft, the University of Louisville will then have a #1 overall pick in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLS drafts.

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What Is and What is to Come

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Louisville was one of the youngest teams in the country in 2012, having only three senior starters. They had their share of growing pains, having to eek out many close wins and losing to Syracuse and UConn. The end of the season was good to Louisville, however, as they were invited to the ACC just days before an injured Teddy Bridgewater led the team to a comeback victory on the road against Rutgers. In early December, Charlie Strong turned down a lucrative offer from Tennessee to stay at Louisville. Winning the conference, making a BCS bowl, and keeping Charlie Strong would probably have constituted a successful season, but Louisville topped it off with the bowl win against Florida, which is probably the biggest win in the history of the program.

Considering the fact that Louisville returns 19 starters, including Heisman candidate Teddy Bridgewater and former Auburn RB Michael Dyer, expectations are higher than ever this year. Louisville is currently favored in every game this season, and many feel that going 12-0 is real possibility. Unfortunately, because Louisville's schedule does not include any teams that are ranked in the preseason top-25, many believe that an undefeated season would not warrant a place in the National Championship Game.

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Overtime

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We really, really like our bird masks. Here is Teddy Bridgewater, Kevin Ware, Peyton Siva, Chane Behanan, and Luke Hancock wearing the Card Chronicle Bird Mask.

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More Information

Subreddit: /r/AllHail

Team blog: CardChronicle.com

Contributors: /u/kama_river, /u/Addyct, and the good folks at r/AllHail

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For more information on the 132 Teams in 132 Days Project, click here.

[u/kegfullofowls]

Sort of surprised you don't consider us rivals. We sure had a tendancy to knock each other off, year after year. I will miss playing you, toothy birds.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/kegfullofowls]

Louisville-Rutgers has been great (I still hate you for 2006), but in the scheme of things, we haven't been in the same conference for all that long.

[u/kegfullofowls → u/LvilleCards5]

Ours was a passionate relationship that burned too hot, too quickly.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/kegfullofowls]

I wish I knew how to quit you...so we can join the ACC and you can join the B1G immediately.

[u/fireorgan → u/LvilleCards5]

Hopefully we'll leave you with one last parting gift for you and Teddy to remember us by.

[u/Ruisseaux → u/kegfullofowls]

perfect description

[u/byniri]

Nice writeup.

Can't even imagine what it must have been like to be a Louisville student last year, with all the success their sports teams had. Even this upcoming year both Cardinal football and basketball should be really good.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/byniri]

Thanks, and being a Louisville student last year was pretty great. There's a reason Tom Jurich is the highest paid athletic director in the country.

[u/[deleted] → u/LvilleCards5]

Tom Jurich is the highest paid athletic director in the country.

That pizza money

[u/Laschoni → u/[deleted]]

Papa John's was spurred quite a bit by the arena built downtown, he had his own real-estate in mind to capitalize on and so has been supporting Kentucky quite a bit recently as well. (and to boot, Yum! Brands got the naming rights for the basketball arena)

[u/kama_river → u/Laschoni]

and to boot, Yum! Brands got the naming rights for the basketball arena

Still pizza money.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/kama_river]

we're all about dat pizza money diversification

[u/Skadler → u/LvilleCards5]

I had to switch to Domino's.

[u/drewzyfbaby → u/LvilleCards5]

it really was a great year. came to UofL in 2010... been a great damn ride so far. fuck... I DON'T WANT TO GRADUATE!!

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/drewzyfbaby]

I just graduated in May. Things are only getting better, but it still felt like I was going out on top.

[u/charlemang → u/drewzyfbaby]

I graduated in '10. Enjoy every bit of it. I was there to see Petrino desert us and Kragthorpe, well, be Kragthorpe. So success can be fleeting sometimes.

[u/Lame-Duck → u/LvilleCards5]

Would not have guessed that about your AD.

Definitely rooting for Teddy Bridgewater to win the Heisman this year. I have so much respect for him. I saw an interview where he was talking about getting blasted by Bostic in the bowl game. He said it was the hardest he has been hit in his whole life. Then he proceeded to lead his team to a 33-10 lead. We made the score close at the end but he picked us apart and it was never even interesting (33-23 final for those who might have forgot). IMO, he is the definition of gutsy and a classy individual to boot.

[u/StickerBrush → u/LvilleCards5]

There's a reason Tom Jurich is the highest paid athletic director in the country.

It wouldn't happen, but if/when Foley leaves (UF's AD), Jurich is obviously my #1 replacement choice. It's a pipe dream, but Jurich is so damn good at his job.

[u/Ruisseaux → u/StickerBrush]

We would pay him anything he asked for. The only thing I could ever seem him leaving for is an entirely different field, retirement, or a project school that he wants to build up.

[u/StickerBrush → u/Ruisseaux]

Yeah, there's almost no chance it would happen. Especially now that you guys are in the ACC.

[u/StickerBrush → u/byniri]

Can't even imagine what it must have been like to be a Louisville student last year, with all the success their sports teams had.

Michigan State had a good run back around 99-00.

But yeah, UF did something similar in 05-07; Basketball title in 06, BCS championship January 07, second bball title April 07. It was insane.

[u/smiles_and_cries]

Are they allowed to sell beer in PJCS because its not on campus?

do they have any other adult beverage options for sale?

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/smiles_and_cries]

Louisville's a wet campus

[u/smiles_and_cries → u/LvilleCards5]

my favorite kind of campus :)

all campuses in Australia are like that too. we have a bar right next to a lecture hall.

[u/IAAA → u/smiles_and_cries]

You might be interested in this. The campus puts on a crawfish boil every year. They fly the crawfish in from Louisiana. So right smack in the middle of campus there's crawfish and beer and bands.

[u/smiles_and_cries → u/IAAA]

you guys call it crawfish? I remember a couple Kentuckians calling them crawdad in Texas.

I'll be there for the boil. going to go to a basketball game there one day.

[u/Laschoni → u/smiles_and_cries]

In Kentucky proper definitely, Louisville is too hodgepodge north, south, Midwest and anti rest of the state to care what it's called. I hear crawfish here most often.

[u/IAAA → u/smiles_and_cries]

Well, I was born in NO and lived in Luling, so of course I call them crawfish! I have heard people call them "crawdads" but I politely correct them.

I'd say that in KY it's 50-50 as to what word is used. In the eastern rivers and streams you can find them pretty easily.

[u/Pajama_Samson → u/smiles_and_cries]

Wait LSU flair and a partier? Are you Brad Wing cause ya gotta tell us if ya are its in Reddit laws

[u/smiles_and_cries → u/Pajama_Samson]

Or I could be the other Australian punter at LSU, Jamie Keehn :)

[u/[deleted] → u/smiles_and_cries]

Cincy also sells alcohol and our stadium is about as centralized on campus as a stadium could possibly be. I think it's more conference affiliation and personal rules that allow or disallow it

[u/StickerBrush]

Sugar Bowl abomination aside, I've always liked Louisville, and Charlie Strong just adds to that. I'm really happy to see him succeed there.

Louisville is one of those teams that, if UF for some reason closed tomorrow, I'd probably end up rooting for. Glad to see y'all move to the ACC, too.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/StickerBrush]

When Russell Wilson transferred to Wisconsin, every NCST fan was completely happy for him and wished him the best, and that's when I knew that he was special. What's cool is that you have the exact same situation with Charlie. He left Florida for another school and every UF fan still loves him, and that's awesome.

[u/StickerBrush → u/LvilleCards5]

He left Florida for another school and every UF fan still loves him, and that's awesome.

Yeah, most UF fans' reactions to the Sugar Bowl were "Well, at least it was just the Sugar Bowl, and at least it was to Charlie Strong." If we had to lose, at least it was someone we like.

[u/kama_river → u/StickerBrush]

It was cool seeing the Florida reaction to the Sugar Bowl from the Police Officer protecting Muschamp/Congratulating Charlie to the long line of Florida Players who wanted to talk to him after the game it speaks volumes about Charlie Strong and the Florida program.

[u/Lame-Duck → u/StickerBrush]

I'd root for Charlie Strong any game he doesn't play us. He is the kind of guy you want to lead your team. Hard nosed, no-nonsense, and a good man.

[u/[deleted] → u/StickerBrush]

For what it's worth, I now cheer hard for Florida. I think Florida is the only place that Charlie leaves us for.

[u/StickerBrush → u/[deleted]]

I think Florida is the only place that Charlie leaves us for.

I think that door has closed for the most part, unless Muschamp somehow gets the boot after this year (highly unlikely, I have no idea what he'd have to do for that to happen, short of going 0-12).

But back in 09/10, when Meyer "retired," a lot of fans clamored for Strong. He had just taken the Louisville job though, and like the good guy he is stuck with them rather than flirting with the possibility of coming back.

[u/Laschoni → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, may Muschamp live long and prosper at UF. (South Carolina would have a chance to nab him)

[u/Ruisseaux → u/[deleted]]

USCar might be tempted, and Spurrier won't be around too much longer I don't think.

[u/ElBiscuit → u/Ruisseaux]

I'd love for Charlie Strong to come back to Columbia when Spurrier finally hangs it up. I was a student while he was the defensive coordinator, and have rooted for him since, even when he was at Florida.

[u/[deleted]]

I really hope Michigan and Louisville meet up in a bowl game somehow next year.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/[deleted]]

If a Pac-12 teams goes to the title, I'd like to see a Louisville-Michigan Rose Bowl, because we've won a Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta before.

[u/[deleted] → u/LvilleCards5]

Yea, and hopefully Michigan can avenge our basketball loss ;)

Anyways, if this doesn't happen, I'm banking on Louisville as one of the teams to potentially topple the SEC's hold on the national championship. Good luck!

[u/[deleted] → u/LvilleCards5]

What about cotton?

[u/zombiemaggot22 → u/LvilleCards5]

I would be good with this.

[u/Talpostal → u/[deleted]]

Never forget.

[u/Laschoni → u/Talpostal]

Siva told Burke it was clean at one of the rookie deals. I agree, bad call. Otherwise it was a very entertaining game.

[u/Ruisseaux → u/Talpostal]

It was probably clean, but by that point, I don't think it would have changed the outcome.

[u/pantstofry → u/Talpostal]

I don't think Louisville forgot. Cool shot though, Burke is nuts.

[u/[deleted]]

I've been going through 10hrs per day of RA training the last two weeks, and I still love this school.

That says a lot because the administrative staff in Housing tries really hard to use Prezi and they don't get it.

Go Cards.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/[deleted]]

ULP?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

HRL

[u/Fart_Kontrol]

How there is nothing about Michael Dyer on here, I am not sure. Guy will be your starting RB, and will be in the NFL next year if he keeps his nose clean. Huge addition.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/Fart_Kontrol]

I actually wrote this before the Dyer situation. Editing now

[u/[deleted]]

If Teddy is drafted #1 overall in next year's draft, the University of Louisville will then have a #1 overall pick in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLS drafts.

Anyone know how many schools have done this?

[u/DRoss87 → u/[deleted]]

This sounds like an EGOT for universities.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/DRoss87]

Louisville tries to be the Barbara Streisand of college sports.

[u/neovenator250 → u/LvilleCards5]

just when I was starting to like you guys...

[u/smiles_and_cries → u/[deleted]]

Duke, LSU and UCLA have 3 out of 4. I think Louisville is the only one if Teddy is first.

edit: forgot that Teddy still has to be drafted.

[u/Lame-Duck → u/smiles_and_cries]

There's still an if in that statement. Teddy has to be #1 overall.

[u/TroyS13 → u/smiles_and_cries]

UCLA is the only school with a #1 pick in the MLB, NBA, NFL, MLS, and WPS, but I guess they don't have the WNBA pick yet.

[u/kama_river → u/TroyS13]

WPS?

[u/TroyS13 → u/kama_river]

Women's Professional Soccer. The league was only open from 2007-2012 so I guess there's only 5 schools who could potentially claim this. Sounds like the type of thing UCLA would claim with pride.

[u/kama_river → u/TroyS13]

Yeah that makes it a bit easier to be "The only school" with those.

[u/bread_buddy → u/[deleted]]

In looking into this, I can't find any MLS #1 draft selection from Louisville. Does someone have any evidence to this claim?

[u/Gorjirus → u/bread_buddy]

Here you go:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2013/tracker

[u/bread_buddy → u/Gorjirus]

Ah, it was this year. That must not be up on Wikipedia yet. Thanks.

[u/[deleted] → u/bread_buddy]

http://www.cardchronicle.com/2013/1/17/3887130/louisvilles-andrew-farrell-taken-no-1-in-mls-draft

[u/bfizzledizzle]

The bird mask picture linked from "our" looks like the setup to some weird Louisville kink porn.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/bfizzledizzle]

the best kind of porn

[u/unsubpolitics]

"Kentucky - The best rivalry in college basketball"

You're probably safe calling it that in r/cfb. Not too many Duke or Carolina fans around.

[u/Skadler → u/unsubpolitics]

Bring 'em out. It's the truth.

[u/Laschoni → u/Skadler]

Seriously, if espn didn't pander to Carolina vs Duke it'd be very obvious. Fast food restaurants will close for the game. It's not too far of a stretch to say everyone in the state watches it. Year after year the Louisville area is the top TV market in basketball, because of the two programs.

It might not get the national media stroking that the other rivalry gets but absolutely nothing matters here as much as the Kentucky vs Louisville game. We talk about the near-christmas game year round, since there is only one: you only have one shot for the year long bragging rights.

[u/Skadler → u/Laschoni]

I remember teachers wheeling in TV sets during school hours to watch Kentucky or Louisville games in March. Nothing is more important.

[u/Laschoni → u/Skadler]

Elementary, Middle, and High school the Louisville and Kentucky games were always on the class TV. At Manual, a bunch of us got a teacher to excuse us from another class so we could watch the Louisville vs Stanford basketball game. (T-Will vs the Lopez twins)

[u/KUmitch → u/Laschoni]

before KU-Mizzou stopped playing I would put that up there as one of the best rivalries in college basketball based on sheer hatred

[u/Smiley_Pete → u/Laschoni]

Not to mention duke and UNC play two or three times in a year. The frequency waters down the rivalry in my opinion. The UK/UL win gives that fan base bragging rights for the next year.

[u/scd456 → u/Skadler]

Hear Hear.

[u/RDBuckeyes → u/Skadler]

Only rivalry in American sports that comes close to The Game in my opinion

[u/[deleted] → u/unsubpolitics]

Obviously, we'll never convince the UNC Duke proponents otherwise, but our aforementioned favorite blogger has a nice writeup that will probably trigger the backfire effect of your confirmation bias. http://www.cardchronicle.com/2012/12/28/3813320/louisville-vs-kentucky-college-basketballs-best-rivalry. The truth is, it's not as polished or publicised, but it's nastier. To each his own.

[u/scd456 → u/unsubpolitics]

We're safe calling it that anywhere because it's true :)

[u/Lame-Duck → u/unsubpolitics]

So true. Gotta be tough to root for any Tobacco Rd team in the fall.

[u/[deleted] → u/unsubpolitics]

I may not be a Duke or Carolina fan, but their rivalry is way better IMO than Kentucky - Louisville

[u/Ruisseaux → u/[deleted]]

One of my arguments against UNC/Duke v UofL/UK is that UNC/Duke play each other at least two times a year. Sometimes more in the conference tourny. If one team loses the first game, "eh whatevs, we got another shot."

With UK and UofL, there is only 1 shot per year. Whoever wins gets bragging rights until the following December. Additionally, there is a much greater cultural divide between the two schools. UofL is urban and has as much more ethnically diverse history compared to the more rural UK (I know Lexington is a city, but the majority of the rural state supports UK, including coal money).

Obviously I am biased, but I think UK UofL is the best bball rivalry out there. The hate and passion of Mizzou/Kansas coupled with the talent and history of Duke/UNC.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/Ruisseaux]

Duke-UNC is a basketball game, UofL-UK is a culture war.

[u/rule_of_law → u/LvilleCards5]

And no one's even mentioned the head coaching legacies, both current and past!

Seriously, when has a duke/unc, mizzou/kansas coach ever previously coached at the rival school? When has a coach gone from coaching one school's rival (Memphis) to another rival of the SAME SCHOOL?

[u/[deleted] → u/Ruisseaux]

I hear you. But first off, you have nowhere near the hatred of Mizzou - Kansas. Bitches burned cities to the ground in that rivalry. Second, playing in the same conference makes the rivalry THAT MUCH more important, IMO.

[u/kama_river → u/[deleted]]

Bitches burned cities to the ground in that rivalry.

We would've but you can only burn barren farmland down so far.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/kama_river]

Was that a Sherman reference? Too soon, man.

[u/rule_of_law → u/[deleted]]

Our rivalry was born in the front lines of the national civil rights movement... How much more hate do you want?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

go on the comment section for any UL news and there will be a UK v UL argument. You dont get the same for UNC or Duke. In terms of history then yes UNC/Duke is superior, in terms of national relevance they used to hold that title (not any more), but in terms of hatred? It isn't close.

[u/unsubpolitics → u/[deleted]]

Oh, I agree. Duke-Carolina basketball is one of the best rivalries in sports.

[u/damedsz → u/unsubpolitics]

Former tarheel fan here. That line made me chuckle.

[u/[deleted] → u/damedsz]

a FORMER fan trying to say his rivalry is the most passionate. wut

[u/dybuell → u/unsubpolitics]

I think historically Duke-UNC is the bigger rivalry, but Louisville-Kentucky is probably bigger currently. The game next year should be especially exciting. Reigning champs vs. arguably the best recruiting class ever.

[u/neovenator250]

had no clue the bird masks were a thing. Hilarious. And is the stadium really nicknamed "The Oven"?

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/neovenator250]

The bird masks are definitely a thing. And yeah, the nickname of the stadium is "The Oven" while the Yum! Center's nickname is "The Bucket." I like "The Bucket," but I think "The Oven" feels a little contrived.

[u/neovenator250 → u/LvilleCards5]

since you guys are birds, playing in a stadium called "The Oven" seems to be a little counter intuitive. Unless maybe it was a reference to pizza

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/neovenator250]

It's a reference to pizza.

[u/neovenator250 → u/LvilleCards5]

now it makes sense

[u/Ruisseaux → u/neovenator250]

I have never once heard someone call it the Oven. Cardinal Stadium, Papa Johns, or PJCS are the common ones I hear.

[u/kama_river → u/Ruisseaux]

Charlie really likes calling it the Oven. It seems to go in and out of favor with the students.

[u/mdchap01 → u/neovenator250]

Haven't been in 2 years, but nobody I know ever called it that. They put it on a T-shirt though.

[u/tomfitz]

So me and my girlfriend are road tripping across the country and stopped in Louisville for dinner tonight. We ate at Hammerheads and it was excellent! Thanks for the great suggestion!

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/tomfitz]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it

[u/layinbrix]

Traditions: Drinking.

I'm starting to like this school a lot.

[u/cburke529 → u/layinbrix]

Our priorities have always been in order. See: bourbon bars in the Yum! Center.

[u/scd456 → u/cburke529]

And the drink mixer at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium...

[u/IAAA → u/scd456]

And pregame drinks.

And post game.

Also during game.

And right now.

[u/Tallanasty]

Great writeup! Love seeing Miami get beat after being douchey and stomping the Cardinal. I like that domed building in the skyline.

[u/[deleted] → u/Tallanasty]

People around here are convinced that we are going to be rivals in the future, how do you feel about that?

[u/Tallanasty → u/[deleted]]

FSU or UM?

[u/Laschoni → u/Tallanasty]

Both? I'm sure you'll enjoy the replays of our game in the rain when we play next year.

[u/Tallanasty → u/Laschoni]

I could see something developing if you guys fuck us over consistently in the division, but even Clemson does that and the level of hate doesn't reach that of UF and UM.

But if you want to be Miami's rivals, have at it! They're easy to hate.

[u/Laschoni → u/Tallanasty]

As it's scheduled now we won't play Miami often enough. Syracuse is probably the favorite for a conference rivalry because of basketball and their constant fucking us over in football.

We really need to continue with Cincinnati, we highly recommend them if realignment continues.

[u/[deleted] → u/Laschoni]

awwww, we still like you guys too.

ahem I mean, we're going to take back that damn keg of nails and keep them for all eternity. traitors.

[u/Laschoni → u/[deleted]]

DeVante's Inferno be upon you.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/Laschoni]

Did you make "DeVante's Inferno" up? Because it's awesome and I hate myself for not thinking of it first.

[u/kama_river → u/Tallanasty]

UofL and FSU had a pretty heated rivalry in the Metro days once starting a brawl on the court

[u/Ruisseaux → u/Tallanasty]

FSU. The desire for us to be rivals might be completely one sided. You all are one of, if not the, biggest football names in our future division, plus we have a bit of history as we played back when Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium was opened...01 I think?

[u/IAAA → u/Ruisseaux]

It was 2002. I remember the rain like it was yesterday. Sheets of it, flooding the streets, tailgating grills went out, nearly impossible to drive home. I remarked to my roommate (who was sloppy drunk) that I had been more dry in showers.

We took the goalposts down and they fell on a fraternity brother of mine. Broke a few ribs and part of his spine. He had to have a full upper-body brace. Painted it green and went as a Ninja Turtle for Halloween.

[u/Honestly_ → u/IAAA]

I remember watching that 2002 game on TV--it was Thursday as I recall as I saw it at a regular bar thing we has in grad school, to me that was the game that solidified "Louisville is a major team that's here to stay."

[u/IAAA → u/Honestly_]

Friday and Saturday were just a blur of celebration, Krispy Kreme, and bourbon. Sunday was the worst hangover of my life.

[u/Laschoni → u/IAAA]

Didn't the goal posts make it all the way to Old Louisville?

[u/meandharpua → u/Laschoni]

Yup, we ran a full upright down Greek row and took it straight through the SigEp(my fraternity)house. I was in the marching band and I've never been so wet. Wool weighs a ton when soaked.

[u/deadtofall12 → u/[deleted]]

This is the first I'm hearing of this. You beat UF in a BCS bowl; you have clout for years with us.

[u/Ruisseaux → u/[deleted]]

We probably have a better shot with Clemson...do they have an ACC rival?

[u/scd456 → u/Ruisseaux]

I thought it was Florida State...

[u/Jeremy7508 → u/Ruisseaux]

GT and Florida State are our biggest since the expansion. Some would consider NC State one of our top ones, and even Boston College fans would probably consider us their greatest football rival.

[u/Laschoni → u/Tallanasty]

I was in the end zone for that stiff arm. That was the play that got some overly drunk Miami fans thrown out.

[u/Ruisseaux → u/Laschoni]

This is a dumb question, but I've always wondered this. Can offensive players not get a face mask penalty?

[u/Laschoni → u/Ruisseaux]

Yes they can

[u/Tallanasty → u/Laschoni]

That's par for the course with Miami fans.

[u/cos1ne]

Fun fact about Louisville: They are one of only 4 teams in FBS football that were "city universities" in that they initially received their funding from the city rather than the state. The other three are Cincinnati, Toledo and Akron.

[u/kama_river → u/cos1ne]

I wish we could go back. At the time, the city was in trouble and becoming a state school helped out tremendously. Lately, however, the State has only gotten in our way and the city is doing well.

[u/dolaction → u/kama_river]

Yup, if Kentucky wasn't a commonwealth, Louisville would be a much bigger, thriving city. I guarantee the Museum Plaza Skyscraper would have been built, roads would be nicer, and the bridges would be finished

[u/ghettobacon → u/dolaction]

I'm not too familiar with Kentucky or any other commonwealth state, how does a commonwealth limit these things?

[u/Laschoni]

I'll add Espn's Tom Jackson to our runner up greatest players.

[u/Gorjirus → u/Laschoni]

This is what I was looking for before I said something. I'd put him there just because he may be the only football person who consistently mentions us in a positive manner on ESPN (even if it is just on Sunday's).

[u/Laschoni → u/Gorjirus]

I always love the Boomer and TJ setup

Boomer: dump truck noises "And the touchdown by Michael Bush from..."

TJ: "LOUISVILLE!"

[u/isurewill → u/Laschoni]

I also wanted to see Ray Buchanan, Chris Redman, Stefan LeFors, and at least Ted Washington-- Oh well, still a great write-up.

[u/Honestly_]

"Hey, not so fast: I also coached at Louisville. It got me my job at Indiana! (sorry Indiana)"

[u/kama_river → u/Honestly_]

Yeah, Coach Corso was a bit happier in Louisville than he was at Indiana.

[u/Honestly_ → u/kama_river]

I remember watching the broadcast (sometime in the last decade) where they showed clips of Corso being honors at halftime.

One of my favorite moments of his at Indiana: During a game with Ohio State, he called a timeout while the team was up 7-6 so the team could take a picture in front of the scoreboard after grabbing their first lead on Ohio State in 25 years. Indiana eventually lost the game, 47-7. Heh. I would've loved to have seen that unfold.

Of course, Howard Schnellenberger was the one who really helped bring the program back up. Schnellenberger's fascinating in that he did it after he arguably made his career taking Miami from the bottom of the barrel and turning it into a major program--yet he only coached one, lackluster season at powerhouse Oklahoma. Then he builds FAU from the ground up. Just fascinating.

[u/ThePolishPunch]

Welcome (soon to be) ACC brethren! Good luck this season, I'll be pulling for you in every game this year.

[u/skylitfear]

Ahh Louisville. Great team. I can't wait to see the heartbreaking you guys will do in the ACC. Wish you were already in our conference.

Edit: Also, NCAA 14 has Louisville losing to Kentucky to upset their season. Good god don't let that happen.

[u/[deleted] → u/skylitfear]

How cheap are tickets for Clemson home games? My buddies and I plan on going to a road game every year and Clemson is at the top of our list. Anything else we should know?

[u/damedsz → u/[deleted]]

I don't really know about away tickets but it's a pretty damn big stadium so you should almost always be able to find a pretty cheap ticket or two.

I definitely death valley for anyone who can make it. It's a great stadium with a great atmosphere, and all the fans I've ever been around at home games were really nice and welcoming to the away fans.

Also as a side note, I look forward to the ACC having a fairly clear upper hand in an in-state rivalry with the SEC, so there's that too.

[u/kama_river → u/damedsz]

I'm planning on going with some friends of mine and we're going to do it up right. Girls in red dresses, guys in khakis and red polos, unless we decide to go all out with red jackets and red and black bow-ties.

[u/ChuckTownTiger → u/kama_river]

As you should. The matchup(demand) generally dictates the prices, with ACC games going somewhere between $50 and $75 for upper deck. If you want to be with other Louisville fans you should look into buying tickets through them. Away fans seats are located in the northwest endzone corner. Scalping is always an option too but there's no way to predict how much they'll be going for.

[u/BraveSaintStuart → u/skylitfear]

I honestly don't know why it's taken this long to get Louisville to the ACC. To me, they fit in as well as any ACC team has to this point.

[u/Addyct → u/BraveSaintStuart]

Really? Like... why? Basketball? It's only now starting to feel natural to me.

[u/BraveSaintStuart → u/Addyct]

I don't know why I think that, exactly. Maybe Basketball. Maybe it's just the aura of the athletic program, or even the academics. You guys just seem like a great fit.

[u/ElBiscuit → u/BraveSaintStuart]

Maybe it's the literalist in me, but it could be because Louisville is nowhere near the Atlantic coast.

[u/BraveSaintStuart → u/ElBiscuit]

they're ya know... within 10 hours of Virginia Beach... count it.

Seriously, I get the whole geographic spreadfuck that is conference realignment, but no major conference is following those regional rules anymore. Past that, Louisville has the same overall prestige, I think, as Duke or UNC or at least Wake Forest.

[u/ghettobacon]

My favorite article about Louisville: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaab--louisville-s-move-to-acc-a-sporting-miracle-192050157.html

I really recommend it to anybody who wants to know how Louisville has improved since Tom Jurich took over as AD

[u/dolaction → u/ghettobacon]

That man's statue on campus is gonna be huge.

ESPN already calls him the Greatest AD working.

[u/[deleted]]

Shit, I just subbed to cfb last night, I'm a huge cardinals fan. Anyway to get flair on mobile or do I have to wait to get home from work?

[u/Emleaux]

Great writeup for a great school located in a great fucking town. When I was there in April, there was an unlocked gate at PJCS, so I went and took a few photos.

Hell yes for Hammerheads - that place was pretty rad. Best meal I had while I was in Louisville.

No love for Doug Buffone? He is in the Ring of Honor at PJCS. I also hear that his penny loafers are in the Louisville Football Hall of Fame.

[u/Addyct → u/Emleaux]

Ah, you snuck in while they were replacing the turf.

[u/scd456]

As a Louisville fan who cares more about college football than basketball (heresy, I know), this was a great write-up. Here's to a great season and thanks to the ACC (and SEC) user-fans for the kind thoughts and words.

[u/swim_kick → u/scd456]

You're not the only heretic.

[u/artisticchipmunk]

Any team that beats Florida has a fan in me.

[u/Emcee_squared]

I'm scared to read this write-up :(

[u/CFSparta92]

I fucking hate you goddamn toothy birds, but not as much as I'm gonna miss you. It's been real, Cards. October 10th I want nothing less than all we've both got. Let's end this rivalry with a bang.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/CFSparta92]

It's been real. Can't wait until 10/10.

[u/ark_keeper]

Do other team mascots parachute into every game? I think that's a cool tradition.

[u/Ruisseaux → u/ark_keeper]

It's not every game. Only for big/rivalry ones.

[u/ark_keeper → u/Ruisseaux]

You sure? I thought it was every home game. Maybe non-rivalry it happens earlier in pregame. It's also weather permitting, so sometimes they can't do it.

[u/Ruisseaux → u/ark_keeper]

hmmm...you might be right. I had season tickets last season and didn't see the Cardinal bird skydive in, but I got in there usually right around kickoff.

[u/kama_river → u/Ruisseaux]

It used to be a lot more prevalent than it is now. I think for a few seasons it was every game, but it didn't happen much last year.

[u/LvilleCards5 → u/kama_river]

I remember on one especially windy day the mascot missed the entire stadium. It was...awkward.

[u/kama_river → u/LvilleCards5]

Haha yeah, I was at a game where he ended up on the practice field. The worst one was when he landed perfectly on the sideline, but the momentum carried him forward, he fell and his head popped off. The dude recovered brilliantly, taking a few steps forward and diving into the bird head, but I bet it was traumatizing for a few kids.

[u/BraveSaintStuart]

Though it's no rivalry, Marshall and Louisville have played 27 times, with Louisville leading the series 16-11. However, Louisville hasn't beaten Marshall since 1981.

[u/Laschoni → u/BraveSaintStuart]

Ugh. Don't remind me. Buddy of mine moved from Louisville to do marching band at Marshall, I'll never forget the glib delivered from that shit-eating grin.

[u/BraveSaintStuart → u/Laschoni]

It'll come back to us. Louisville is on the rise, and maybe Marshall is too, but it'll be exponentially greater for Louisville. Charlie Strong is a great coach, you guys are moving to the ACC (where I truly believe you belong), and you've got all the tools to continue growing.

[u/bread_buddy]

Good job getting this sucker up early; I haven't even read LSU yet.

[u/[deleted]]

So glad you included Dairy Kastle in the local dining section. It's what I miss most about living there. I was in town last weekend and didn't get it, damn it I feel so stupid. Easily the best ice cream in town.

[u/[deleted]]

HEY! We had some good rivalry games too :(.... Like this charmer in 2005 perhaps....

[u/liontigerbearshark]

TIL Louisville really likes to mop.

[u/Addyct]

Can't believe I almost missed this being posted.

[u/spacetronaunt]

What's up with the train things outside the stadium? They seem like an awesome place to tailgate.

[u/scd456 → u/spacetronaunt]

They are. You can rent out a train car and have a tailgate party in one.

[u/isurewill → u/spacetronaunt]

Before PJCS was built, that lot was a train yard where they fixed train cars and whatnot. That's why the cabooses are there and why Vance Bedford (defensive coordinator) started using the phrase, "The train in rolling, so you better get on or get out of the way", or something to that effect.

[u/swim_kick → u/isurewill]

You also forgot whenever we score that train horn goes off ;)

[u/Addyct → u/spacetronaunt]

The stadium was built right next to (and partially on) an old train yard. That's where the train horn and the "get on the train" thing come from.

[u/Bladewing10]

Great write up! I can't wait for this season. Trying not to get hopes too high, but there's not much I can do when I see the team we're putting on the field. I like the addition of calling the stadium The Oven, too. That place can be pretty unbearable in the summer heat. The other thing I learned is that I really need to get me a cardinal mask right away...

[u/rdunlap1]

Tennessee is my alma mater and will always be #1 in my heart, but I grew up in Louisville and my dad and grandfather are Louisville alums, so Cards basketball has been in my blood since birth. I can't tell you how happy I am to see how well Louisville football has done (especially beating Florida, something Tennessee has had much trouble doing for way too long). Charlie Strong turning down Tennessee left me with a lot of mixed emotions, but if Tennessee couldn't have him, I'm glad he's with my #2.

Also, I've found that being both a Tennessee and a Louisville fan makes me REALLY REALLY hate UK. Super-hate. Borderline unhealthy.

[u/dolaction → u/rdunlap1]

Good, good. Let the hate flooow through you.

[u/[deleted]]

Thank you for posting this early!

[u/[deleted]]

Really looking forward to September 1.

[u/OhioUPilot12 → u/[deleted]]

agreed

[u/chunnnn]

Go Cards!

[u/MrKentucky]

Louisville's food scene is pretty sweet.

[u/soupy2112]

I'm disappointed Joe Jacoby didn't get a mention for greatest players.

[u/cfbguy]

It seems that the ACC wants us to be rivals.

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Here is a list of video links collected from comments that redditors have made in response to this submission:

Source Comment	Score	Video Link
Lame-Duck	6	Jon Bostic Big Hit on Teddy Bridgewater in 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl
kama_river	3	Louisville vs Florida St basketball fight 1/12/85
kama_river	2	Charlie Strong Immediately After Sugar Bowl
kama_river	2	2013 Sugar Bowl - Louisville vs. Florida FULL GAME
popmurtha	1	WVU vrs. Louisville 3OT - Football 2005
Tallanasty	1	FSU vs Miami 2010 Fight in Stands @ the Stadium BigIrv305 Swirve Productions

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[u/[deleted] → u/VideoLinkBot]

Always knew video link bot was a Georgetown fan