He's back: Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham will return for his final season

Malik Cunningham is returning for his final season at Louisville.

The Louisville football program needed some good news this week and got it with the return of its star quarterback. Cunningham, an Alabama native, had a standout season this year for the Cardinals.

"Card Nation don't worry, I'm staying home," Cunningham tweeted.

He tallied more than 3,700 total yards, had 18 passing touchdowns and 19 rushing touchdowns. He led the ACC in rushing touchdowns and was seventh in passing touchdowns.

The return of Cunningham is a massive plus for Louisville, which just lost receiver Jordan Watkins to the transfer portal. He was responsible for 78% of the Cardinals' touchdowns this season.

More: Louisville wide receiver Jordan Watkins to enter transfer portal

He will give Louisville one of the best offensive weapons in the ACC next season. Only four players had more total yards than Cunningham this season and three of them, Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell and Sam Hartman are expected to leave this season.

Cunningham set records throughout the last season. He became just the second player in FBS history to throw for 300 yards and run for 200 yards in one game. He also continues to climb Louisville record books.

He will return with 10,445 yards and 98 touchdowns in his four years on the field. He's third in Louisville history in total offense. Lamar Jackson leads the program with 13,175 and with one more strong year, Cunningham could take that spot.

More: What the return of Malik Cunningham means for himself and Louisville football

Along with being the team's leader on and off the field, Louisville coach Scott Satterfield couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift, than to hear that Cunningham will return.

Off the field it's a big boost for Louisville, who not only gets its off-the-field leader back, but can raise morale for the program, within the fan base.

Depending on other changes within the transfer portal, Louisville could bring back one of the best offenses in the ACC. It finished fifth in total offense, with three of the schools ahead of it losing quarterbacks this offseason.

There's been a question about whether Cunningham would return or not for much of the season. Louisville finally got just the answer it wanted.

Cameron Teague Robinson CTeagueRob@gannett.com; Twitter: @cj_teague;

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville football: QB Malik Cunningham staying for 2022 season