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After years of trying to persuade Charlie Strong to declare one of Louisville's biggest football games as a "black out," Cardinal fans won't have to wait too long into the second Bobby Petrino era to get their wish.
Petrino announced during Tuesday's ACC celebration at Fourth Street Live that U of L's Sept. 1 opener against Miami would officially be a "black out" game. Fans are asked to wear black, and the team will be wearing all-black uniforms like the ones seniors Lorenzo Mauldin and Jake Smith were modeling during the celebration.
#UofL football coach Bobby Petrino says the season opener against the #Canes is a black out with these uniforms. pic.twitter.com/6AKhY5adkW
— Jeff Greer (@jeffgreer_cj) July 1, 2014
"I've always felt it was important for your players to look good and feel good, and then you have a chance to go out and play well," Petrino said.
During Petrino's first meeting with his players on Jan. 9, he surprised them by having Mauldin come in sporting the all-black look. The openness to alternate uniforms is a stark contrast from Strong, who repeatedly stated his distaste for such partings from tradition...even though Louisville never has the same uniforms for more than one season.
Black out, Miami, ACC opener, Labor Day night, only game on TV, the Saved by the Bell movie on Lifetime; it just doesn't get any bigger.
Kickoff for college football's only "Monday Night Football" game of the season is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN.
