LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jawhar Jordan and Jamari Thrash each scored two touchdowns, and Louisville used a slew of explosive plays to dominate Murray State 56-0 on Thursday night for its first shutout in nearly three years.
Six days after rallying past Georgia Tech 39-34 in Jeff Brohm’s coaching debut, the Cardinals (2-0) were never challenged by the FCS-level Racers (1-1) in their home opener.
Louisville led 28-0 at halftime, with Jack Plummer threading a crossing pass to Thrash for a 73-yard scoring play and Jordan shaking a defender near the left sideline in a 72-yard TD run.
“I know our linemen are going to make those big holes happen, so I expect it right away,” said Jordan, who finished with 178 all-purpose yards. “Once I saw it, I just did what I do and broke free.”
Louisville set the tone with chunk plays on its first possession as Kevin Coleman made an incredible one-handed catch for 30 yards on third and 11. Plummer later hit a wide-open Jordan for 32 yards to the 12, and Thrash took a pitch on the next snap and dashed untouched for the TD to cap a six-play, 76-yard drive.
Jordan, Louisville’s top rusher last season with 815 yards, carried seven times for 135 yards, including a 1-yard TD run in the third quarter. His 74-yard TD run against Georgia Tech provided a cushion after Louisville recovered a fumble with a one-point lead.
Thrash caught three passes for 82 yards. Plummer completed 16 of 22 passes for 247 yards with two interceptions on deep passes before giving way to four other QBs including Brock Domann and Harrison Bailey, who threw a 34-yard TD pass to Joey Gatewood.
Louisville quarterback Jack Plummer (13) looks for a receiver during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Murray State in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. Credit: AP/Timothy D. Easley
“They’ve really been playmakers for us,” Brohm said about Thrash and Jordan. “We have other playmakers also, but those two have definitely stood out. We’ve got…
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