Louisville football quarterback Jawon Pass elects to run against Notre Dame
Jawon "Puma" Pass put on the jets a few times against Notre Dame, rushing for two touchdowns and 67 yards.
Louisville football quarterback Jawon Pass elects to run against Notre Dame Jawon "Puma" Pass put on the jets a few times against Notre Dame, rushing for two touchdowns and 67 yards. Check out this story on courier-journal.com: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2019/09/03/louisville-football-quarterback-jawon-pass-chooses-run-against-notre-dame/2163204001/
Danielle Lerner, Louisville Courier Journal Published 6:52 a.m. ET Sept. 3, 2019 | Updated 6:56 a.m. ET Sept. 3, 2019
In the early minutes of his junior season debut, Louisville quarterback Jawon "Puma" Pass made it clear he would not be restricted by his last name.
A deviation from his previous reputation as a pure pocket passer, Pass wheeled out an impressive run game Monday night as Louisville fell to Notre Dame, 35-17, at Cardinal Stadium.
Much of Louisville's first season under head coach Scott Satterfield has been framed in stark contrast to the prior regime of Bobby Petrino, and Pass was no exception.
Pass rushed for two touchdowns and 67 yards against Notre Dame, more than 70% of his 2018 rushing total of 93 yards. In the air, he completed 12 of 27 passes for 134 yards.
Some of this was to be expected since Satterfield's offense is more run-heavy than what Petrino implemented last season. But Pass overall looked notably more confident on his feet Monday.
"That puts pressure on the defense when your Q can run like that," Satterfield said. "We make (Pass) make decisions in the run game just about every play, really, with our zone read stuff. So he did a good job with that. We'll know more, obviously, when we go back to look at the film, but the way he ran the football is going to give us a chance as we move forward with this."
More: Respectability arrives ahead of schedule for Louisville football
Pass led the Cardinals in rush attempts at halftime, with two of the nine accounting for Louisville's pair of touchdowns.
On Louisville's opening drive, the quarterback ran three times for a total of 32 yards, including an 8-yard keeper for the Cardinals' first score of the game.
His second touchdown run was 17 yards up the middle, untouched.
Things began to crumble slightly toward the end of the first half, when Pass lost the ball twice as part of a bizarre series where Louisville and Notre Dame alternated three consecutive quarterback fumbles.
Pass had a higher completion percentage in the second half (8 for 14), but he added just 16 net rushing yards, was sacked four times and finished with three fumbles.
Satterfield said fumbles hadn't been an issue for his quarterback in practice. While the coach expressed overall satisfaction with the run game, he said, "We've got to do a better job with ball security."
Pass said fumbles "are just part of the game," and that the Cardinals will need to learn how to move on from it before Saturday's game against Eastern Kentucky.
Louisville football takes on Notre Dame in 2019 season opener
U of L QB Jawon Pass gains yardage against Notre Dame during their game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
The Louisville Ladybirds entertain the crowd during the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield runs out of the tunnel for his first game as the Cards took on visiting Notre Dame for the team's season opener Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Notre Dame QB Ian Book (12) was tripped up for a sack by U of L's Rodjay Burns (10) during their game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
Scenes from tailgating before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
U of L's Javian Hawkins (10) eluded Notre Dame defenders during their game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
Louisville's Khane Pass upends Notre Dame's Tony Jones, Jr. in the second half as the Cards fell to the visiting Irish 35-17. Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
U of L set an attendance record of 58,187 as they opened their season against Notre Dame at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton breaks up a pass intended for Louisville's Dez Fitzpatrick on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's Dorian Etheridge and the defense celebrated a stop against the Irish's Ian Book in the first half.Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
The UofL Cardinal Marching Band's featured twirler Steffany Lien entertains the crowd during the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
U of L versus Notre Dame during their game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
Scenes from the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
U of L QB Jawon Pass (4) was sacked by against Notre Dame's Daelin Hayes (9) during their game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
Notre Dame's Tommy Tremble (24) was swarmed by teammates after he scored a touchdown against U of L during their game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
The Louisville football team runs onto the field before the game against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Notre Dame's Tommy Tremble (24) scored a touchdown against U of L's Jack Fagot (38) during their game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
Notre Dame's Jahmir Smith (34) celebrated with teammates after he scored a touchdown against U of L during their game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
U of L head coach Scott Satterfield walks off the field after losing 35-17 against #9 Notre Dame during his inaugural game at Cardinal Stadium. Sept. 2, 2019 Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
Louisville's Jawan Pass gets pressured by Notre Dame's Juliah Okwara in the second half as the Cards fell to the visiting Irish 35-17. Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville's Amonte Caban celebrates after dropping the runner for a loss against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville fans support their team win the game against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
It was a packed Cardinal Stadium -- a sight not seen in recent years -- as Louisville opened their 2019 season against Notre Dame.Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville's Chandler Jones celebrates a defensive stop against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's Russ Yeast brings down Notre Dame's Chris Finke during the punt return on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's Hassan Hall scrambles to recover a Cardinal fumble in the second half as the Cards fell to Notre Dame 35-17. Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville's Scott Satterfield had the Cards come out energetic against Notre Dame in the first half, trailing by a touchdown at halftime.Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Notre Dame's Tony Jones, Jr. runs in for a touchdown through the Louisville defense as the Cards fell to the visiting Irish 35-17. Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville's Jawon Pass tries to leap over Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton on his way to gaining a first down against the Irish on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's Rodjay Burns (#10) and teammates celebrate sacking Notre Dame's Ian Book on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's Rodjay Burns brings down Notre Dame's Ian Book for the sack on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's Juwan Pass runs in for his second touchdown against Notre Dame in the first half. Sept. 2, 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
The Louisville cheerleaders entertain the crowd during the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's Jawon Pass runs it in for a touchdown against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's coach Scott Satterfield signals for his team to wait for the 3rd quarter to end before running a play against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Notre Dame's Jahmir Smith dives for the touchdown early in the first half against Louisville to help put the Irish up 7-0. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Notre Dame's Ian Brook gained 37 yards as Louisville's Khana Pass misses the tackle early in the first half. The Irish would score on the drive. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
:ouisville fan Alex Phillips and Notre Dame fan Trevor Lynes of Chicago guarded their parking spot for friends before the Louisville-Notre Dame game Monday afternoon. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Emily Haddaway tossed the football around before the Louisville-Notre Dame game Monday afternoon. Russell actually went to UK but wore an Irish jersey to the game. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
The fans make their way in to Cardinal Stadium before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
'Make the Cards Great Again' says the shirt of Dave Baker wore. His wife Terry made before the 2019 football season while tailgating before the Cards game against the Irish. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Erica Meyers has a future Cardinal fan inside her that's due in October. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield helps lead the Cardmartch before the game against Notre Dame Monday afternoon for the Cardinals' season opener for 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
The Goodyear Blimp circles Cardinal Stadium before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Lauren Huebler and Kellen Russell played corn hole with friends before the Louisville-Notre Dame game Monday afternoon. Russell actually went to UK but wore an Irish jersey to the game. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Dennis Brishaber cooks up some meat and chats with friends while tailgating before the Cards game against the Irish. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Rex Caldwell gets some cooling relief from Nick Coleman while cooking up wings. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Brian Whaley and David Looney played some corn hole with their wives before the Cards game against the Irish. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame on Labor Day. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield greets enthusiastic fans before the game against Notre Dame Monday afternoon for the Cardinals' season opener for 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Fans greeted and talked with each other before the Louisville game against Notre Dame. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Hannah Koloski threw a bean bag with friends before the Louisville-Notre Dame game Monday afternoon. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Amanda Kinnard holds up the jersey of Dayna Kinnard with husband and father Gary Kinnard before the UofL-Notre Dame game. Thousands of fans showed up early to tailgate before the game against Notre Dame. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville cheerleaders take a selfie before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Scenes from the pregame Monday afternoon for the Cardinals' season opener for 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville players greet the fans before the game against Notre Dame Monday afternoon for the Cardinals' season opener for 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
The Louisville football team stops at midfield for a prayer circle before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville quarterback Juwan Pass looks towards the thousands of fans who lined up for Cardmarch before the game against Notre Dame Monday afternoon for the Cardinals' season opener for 2019. Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Louisville volunteer ushers great the team as they enter the stadium before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Notre Dame fan Greg Balderas made his helmet in honor of the Blessed Mother on the Golden Dome of Notre Dame. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's coach Scott Satterfield and the rest of the team make their way through the crowd during Card March before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
The Louisville Marching Band makes it's way through the crowd before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Louisville's Jawon Pass scrambles against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Notre Dame's Julian Okwara takes down Louisville's Jawon Pass on 4th down on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
The UofL Cardinal Marching Band entertains the crowd before the Louisville vs Notre Dame game on Sept. 2, 2019. Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
There were flashes of promise against Notre Dame that showed Pass is capable of bouncing back from a bad play.
After being sacked for a loss on the first play of a fourth-quarter drive, Pass danced along the sideline for a 22-yard gain and a first down.
Satterfield said Louisville's game plan to run on the outside was formulated with Pass' mobility in mind.
"Part of that was Puma taking off on the edges and part of that was our stretch play," he said. "I think that's going to be a staple of our offense."
More: Instant Analysis: Lots for Louisville to like vs. Notre Dame — except the result
But it seemed every time Pass made a play, the next play would result in a loss. Other than a field goal in the third quarter, the Cardinals were unable to string together enough second-half offense to mount a comeback against Notre Dame.
"I didn't do enough to help us win," Pass said. "We just have to go back to work and get better."
Notes and quotes
Louisville didn't make great use of its receiving corps. Pass targeted Tutu Atwell 11 times and Marshon Ford four times. Atwell caught five passes for 47 yards. Seth Dawkins and Dez Fitzpatrick were each targeted only twice. No other player was targeted more than once.
Satterfield on Louisville's lacking passing game: "You add up drops and some of the bad throws and that's why the completion percentage was off. Our plan tonight was to try to get the ball down to these one-on-one matchups. It's tough, those guys do a good job of covering. We've got to get free. The receivers have to make plays."
Running backs Javian Hawkins and Hassan Hall were instrumental. Hawkins rushed for 122 yards on 19 carries while Hall tallied 69 yards on 11 carries.
Two Louisville natives had good performances: tight end Marshon Ford and outside linebacker Rodjay Burns. Ford, a Ballard graduate, totaled 43 receiving yards highlighted by a 37-yard catch in the third quarter. Trinity alum Burns made six solo tackles and sacked Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book for a loss of 8 yards.
Battle at center: Louisville's center position continues to be a contest between TJ McCoy and Cole Bentley. McCoy, the graduate transfer from Florida, earned the start, but Bentley saw time at the position as well. Louisville fumbled five times in the game, one of which was a bad snap from Bentley in the third quarter.
Danielle Lerner: 502-582-4042; dlerner@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @Danielle_Lerner. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/daniellel.
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