CARDINALS

Louisville football | Lamar Jackson stars again as Cards pull away from North Carolina

Jeff Greer
Courier Journal
  • Up next: U of L vs. Clemson, 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16. TV: TBD.
Louisville's Lamar Jackson strikes another Heisman like pose as he struggles to remain on his feet during a 43 yard touchdown run against North Carolina. Sept. 9, 2017

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Lamar Jackson's Heisman Trophy encore continued in impressive fashion Saturday as the Louisville quarterback accounted for 525 yards of offense and six touchdowns in a 47-35 Cards win at North Carolina.

Jackson was 25-of-39 for 393 passing yards and three passing scores. He also ran for three touchdowns and 132 yards, tying the program record for 100-yard rushing performances in a career. His 75-yard second-quarter scoring toss to Jaylen Smith was the longest touchdown pass for U of L since 2012.

"We came out ready to play," Jackson said. "It was a great environment. UNC came out ready and they were flying around. Our team did a great job."

TAKEAWAYS:Louisville 47, UNC 35

Podcast:Behind the scenes with Lamar Jackson, Louisville football in Indianapolis

Louisville (2-0) won its ACC opener for the second consecutive season, setting up a much-anticipated matchup against No. 3 Clemson next Saturday at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. It was the Cards' third win against UNC (0-2) under coach Bobby Petrino.

"That's a really, really good win for us on the road," U of L coach Bobby Petrino said. "... I was really happy with our team."

Smith had a career-best 183 receiving yards, and senior running back Malik Williams set a career-high with 149 rushing yards on 13 carries. Redshirt freshman Dez Fitzpatrick caught two Jackson touchdown passes and totaled 78 receiving yards.

It wasn't a banner day for Louisville's defense and special teams, though. UNC racked up 384 passing yards and took the lead on three separate occasions before Jackson and U of L pulled away. The Tar Heels also set a new program record with 219 kick return yards, including 94 on Anthony Ratliff-Williams' 94-yard touchdown return.

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Austin Proehl, the son of former NFL receiver Ricky Proehl, grabbed eight catches for 120 yards for the Tar Heels, who had 16 plays go for 10 or more yards.

"Their offense executed and made some real good plays," Petrino said. "... Man, (Proehm) is a player. You have to take your hat off to him."