Cards v. Pirates: Post Game Notes

Junior RB Eric Shelton scored five touchdowns to tie a U of L single game record reached on five occasions (last time: Leroy Collins vs. Western Kentucky on Oct. 31, 1998). Shelton's 67-yard run in the first quarter was the longest of his career. He has scored eight touchdowns in the last two games (three at North Carolina). He now has 18 rushing touchdowns in his career, which is tied for ninth all-time in school history. Shelton gained 129 yards on 12 carries, marking his fifth career 100-yard rushing game and his first of the season.

U of L has allowed the fewest points through its first four games (28) since 1947 when opponents produced 23 points against the Cardinals. U of L maintained its scoring defense average of seven points a game, a figure which ranked third nationally entering the game.

The Cardinal defense held East Carolina to 235 yards, just short of its best defensive effort of 222 yards allowed against North Carolina last week. U of L defenders produced 12 tackles for losses, including four quarterback sacks.

U of L improved its turnover margin to +9 on the season, gaining five ECU miscues in the game (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries) while losing one fumble -- just the third U of L turnover on the season. The Cards entered the game 11th nationally in turnover margin.

Senior J.R. Russell produced his seventh career 100-yard receiving game and his first of the season (seven catches, 101 yards, one TD). Russell moved up to sixth in career receiving yards at U of L (currently 1,897 receiving yards) and seventh in career receptions (136 career catches). He extended his streak to 28 straight games with a reception.

U of L quarterbacks Stefan LeFors and Brian Brohm improved upon their incredible accuracy figures, combining to complete 24 of 30 passes (80 percent) for 334 yards. The pair have combined to complete 75.2 percent of their passes on the season (82 of 109). Eleven different receivers caught passes for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals defeated the Pirates for the fourth straight time, and evened their record against ECU to 3-3 in Louisville. The Cardinals now hold a 6-4 series advantage.

Freshman TE Gary Barnidge caught his first career pass in the first quarter.

OT Renardo Foster suffered a sprained knee in the second quarter and did not return.

The crowd of 40,220 marked the second consecutive sellout for the Cardinals this season. U of L's opener against Kentucky drew 42,681, the largest ever in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

At today's homecoming contest, Sowmya Srinivasan (pronounced SOWM-ya sree-nee-VAS-an; music and pre-med major) was crowned Homecoming Queen while Justin Morehead (management major) was named Homecoming King.

Most U of L Rushing Touchdowns, Single Game

5 - Eric Shelton vs. East Carolina, 10/2/04
5 - Leroy Collins vs. W. Kentucky, 10/31/98
5 - C.N. Caldwell vs Moore's Hill, 10/11/13
5 - Fred Koster vs. Rose Poly, 10/9/26
5 - Fred Koster vs. Ogden, 10/2/26