Louisville Players Cite Lack Of Focus As Reason For Rough, 36-10 Loss To Houston Cougars

The Louisville Cardinals suffered a brutal, 36-10 road loss to the Houston Cougars on Thursday night, and the visitor team’s football players seem to, for the most part, agree on the reason behind this crushing loss.

Louisville Players Cite Lack Of Focus As Reason For Rough, 36-10 Loss To Houston Cougars

A lack of focus seemed to be the primary reason many of the Cardinals cited for the defeat. It showed: they committed 15 penalties, allowed 11 sacks and turned the ball over three times.

“The ranking is what it is,” senior running back Brandon Radcliff said. “I’m sure there were a lot of people waiting on this moment [for us to lose]. Me being a captain, I tried to get our guys to focus on the task at hand and that’s Houston. Our focus wasn’t there today.”

Greg Ward Jr. threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a win over the now third-ranked Cardinals for the second straight season. Houston gained a 31-0 lead at halftime en route to their third straight victory.

Leading Heisman Trophy candidate Lamar Jackson was held to 33 rushing yards on 25 carries. Jackson finished 20 of 43 for 211 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals as they saw their playoff hopes slip away.

Jackson, however, said he was more focused on winning the game on Thursday than on winning the Heisman.

Radcliff supported his teammate, saying he didn’t believe the loss hurt his chances of winning the big trophy.

“Of course not,” Radcliff said. “He’s the best player in the nation. Nobody can question that man, the effort he goes out there and plays with every week. I don’t care what you say, nobody touches him on that field.

“To me, he’s the best player out there and I’m not just saying that because he’s my teammate. Stack him up against anybody. Nobody’s touching what he’s doing on that field.”

Louisville held Houston scoreless in the third quarter, scored a touchdown on their first second-half possession but fumbled in the red zone as they attempted to score again, then settled for a field goal on their third possession of the half.

“We blew it,” Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said. “We had an opportunity sitting there. Can’t take anything away from Houston either. They did a good job, they executed well and they played well. It was one of those situations where they were better than us tonight, no question about it.”

Louisville (9-2) will next host their in-state rival Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 26. Houston, meanwhile, will visit the Memphis Tigers on Black Friday.

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals stretches for first down against the Houston Cougars in the third quarter at TDECU Stadium on November 17, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Houston Cougars won 36 to 10. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)