Louisville Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive After Miami Hail Mary Comes Up Just Short

Miami came within a few feet of forcing overtime, but Louisville stopped them short and earned a spot in the ACC Championship.

The stakes were high for No. 10 Louisville on Saturday in its game against Miami.

With a win, the Cardinals would keep their record at 9–1 and secure a spot in the ACC Championship Game against No. 4 Florida State, and in the process, keep their hopes of an outside shot at a College Football Playoff berth alive.

With a loss, Louisville would be out of the Playoff picture and left to wonder what could have been.

The Cardinals played big throughout the game, but saved their best football for last. Up 38–31 with less than two minutes to play, Louisville pulled off a huge stop on fourth-and-goal when the Hurricanes were threatening to tie the game.

Incomplete pass

Turnover on downs

Add a Flag on George for hitting a Louisville player after the play pic.twitter.com/9VobGjoXzW

— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) November 18, 2023

While that play could have been the game, the Miami defense held firm on the ensuing possession, giving the Hurricanes the ball back with just seconds to play.

After reaching midfield, Miami was down to their final throw. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke launched a Hail Mary towards a mob of Hurricanes and Cardinals collected near the end zone.

After a tip, Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo came down with the ball, but he was a few yards shy of the goal line. As he turned to attempt to make the score, he was swarmed by the Louisville defense. Ballgame over.

With the win, Louisville moves to 10–1 on the season, with a game against Kentucky next week before their ACC title showdown against Florida State. Should the Cardinals be able to win out the next two weeks, and get some help from around the rest of the college football world, they could be heading to the Playoff come New Year’s Eve.