Louisville freshman QB Lamar Jackson to start vs. Houston

Freshman Lamar Jackson is listed as the starting quarterback on the depth chart for the Louisville Cardinals matchup against the Houston Cougars on Saturday.

Louisville true freshman Lamar Jackson is listed as the starting quarterback on the depth chart for the matchup against the Houston Cougars on Saturday.

Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino did not name an official starting quarterback before the team's season opener against Auburn on Saturday.

At the start of the game, it looked as if Petrino sent sophomore Reggie Bonnafon out to take the first snap, but in a surprise play Jackson shifted in to take the quarterback position. Jackson's pass was picked off by Auburn's Tray Matthews, and Bonnafon played into the second quarter before Jackson took over as quarterback for the remainder of the game.

Jackson rushed 16 times for 106 yards with a touchdown. He was 9 for 20 passing for 100 yards with one interception. Bonnafon was sacked three times and completed 8 of 13 pass attempts for 67 yards.

After a scoreless first half Jackson helped put Louisville on the board, but the Cardinals did not secure a comeback, falling to Auburn 31–24.

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​- Xandria James