Louisville Football: 2 Cards Make PFF's Best ACC Single-Game Performances

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:52 p.m. ET

Fansided, Derek Snyder/FanSided via Big Red Louie

We take a look at which two Louisville football players made the top ten of Pro Football Focus’ best ACC single-game performances.

There were so many great individual performances by a Louisville football player this season that it would be hard to count on two hands. However, the smart people from Pro Football Focus did the leg work in choosing the ten best single-game performances from the ACC in 2016.

It was surprising to see that there were only two performances from a Cardinals player on this list, but they can’t win everything right?

With that being said, let’s take a look at the two Cards that made the list:

Sep 1, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against Charlotte 49ers defensive lineman Zach Duncan (52) during the first quarter at Papa John

1. Lamar Jackson vs. Charlotte 49ers

The preseason hype surrounding Lamar Jackson was off the charts. Every single Louisville football fan couldn’t wait to see the quarterback that tore apart Texas A&M in the Music City Bowl just nine months before. Little did we know, it would only take Jackson one half to have the best performance of any ACC player this season.

Here is Jackson’s ranking according to Pro Football Focus:

GRADE: 78.5

RANKING: 1

Jackson set the tone for a Heisman-caliber season by laying eight first-half touchdowns on an entirely overmatched Charlotte defense in Week 1. The Cardinals’ tempo terrified the 49ers, who were unable to live with Jackson’s arm and athleticism. He shredded them through the air, completing 17 of 24 attempts for 286 yards and six touchdowns, ending the game with a QB rating of 150.7. In total, Jackson misfired on only three occasions, throwing a couple passes away and seeing another dropped. Louisville was good enough to rip off large chunks through the air, but Jackson also got his fill on the ground. Carrying 11 times, he collected 120 yards, two touchdowns, and four broken tackles. Squeezed into just 30 minutes, Jackson had the luxury of taking in his own highlights at halftime.

I would argue that Jackson had more impressive performances than this throughout the 2016 season, but these guys from PFF know what they’re talking about when it comes to this stuff.

Can you guess which other Louisville football player made their top ten list?

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Louisville Cardinals cornerback Jaire Alexander (10) and linebacker Nick Dawson-Brents (52) celebrate after a defensive stop on fourth down late in the fourth quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Louisville won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

2. CB Jaire Alexander vs. Clemson Tigers

There is no denying that Alexander was one of the Cards’ top breakout players of 2016. However, did you know that he actually had one of the best performances of any player in the ACC this season?

According to Pro Football Focus, Alexander dominated against the Clemson Tigers in October. While the Cards weren’t able to get the win, it was apparent that Alexander made a name for himself down in South Carolina that night.

Here is his ranking according to Pro Football Focus:

GRADE: 86.3

RANKING: 5

“Facing a group of playmakers feared across the conference, Louisville’s star sophomore shutdown an entire side of the field in Week 5. Clemson’s top two receivers (Deon Cain and Mike Williams) suffered a joyless game against Alexander, finding themselves powerless to stop him picking off a pair of passes. In total, Alexander allowed only one first down, picked off two passes, and forced a further pair of incompletions. Considering the strength of opposition and gravity of the occasion, Alexander’s performance was incontestably exceptional.”

This performance against Clemson was simply remarkable. His two interceptions gave the Cards a chance to stay in the football game when all the odds were stacked against them.

I cannot wait to see Alexander keep improving in Todd Grantham’s defensive system at Louisville.