Louisville Drops Shootout Against Miami

The Cardinals have now lost three of their last four games with the loss to the Hurricanes.

Oct 19, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Isaac Brown (25) runs the ball against Miami Hurricanes defensive back D'Yoni Hill (19) during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images / Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Returning home to L&N Stadium for a massive showdown with Miami, an upset over the ACC frontrunner was not in the cards for the Louisville football program, coming out on the wrong end of a 52-45 shootout on Saturday.

The Cardinals (4-3, 2-2 ACC) have now dropped three of their last four games after winning their first three to start the 2024 season. Conversely, the No. 6 Hurricanes (7-0, 3-0 ACC) continue their undefeated start to the season, and remain in the driver's seat to reach the ACC Championship Game.

Whether it was through the air or on the ground, Louisville's defense had zero answers for Miami's offense, which came into the game with the No. 1 total and scoring offense. In total, the Cardinals surrendered a whopping 538 yards of the offense to the Canes.

Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Cam Ward had a field day, going 21-of-32 for 319 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers, while also rushing for 29 yards. Miami wideouts Xavier Restrepo and Sam Brown Jr. each broke the century mark, combining for 10 catches for 226 yards.

Louisville was also gashed on the ground, thanks in part to a bruising and physical approach at the line of scrimmage from Miami. The Canes ran for 219 total yards, with Damien Martinez rushing for 89 yards and score, plus Mark Fletcher Jr. going for 73 yards.

The defensive disaster spoiled a great offensive performance from Louisville, as they put up 448 total yards in the losing effort. Cardinals QB Tyler Shough was just as prolific as Ward was, going 31-of-51 for 342 yards and four touchdowns.

Wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks caught two of Shough's touchdowns as part of a six-catch and 107-yard day. Running back Isaac Brown ran for 56 yards and a touchdown as part of a team-wise 106-yard rushing effort.

Miami's prolific offense had little trouble right out of the gates, scoring on their first three drives of the game. They broke the seal with a 55-yard field goal from Andres Borregales, then added a pair of long receiving touchdowns: one being a 27-yarder to Jacolby George and the other 49-yarder to Brown.

Louisville wasn't as explosive to start the game, but they were able to score touchdowns on two of their first four drives. The Cardinals responded to Borregales' kick with a 43-yard rushing touchdown by Brown, then after the Canes' back-to-back receiving scores, they got back within a possession thanks to their own receiving touchdown: this one a three-yard haul by tight end Mark Redman.

A key juncture came after Miami was forced to punt for the first time, with a holding penalty on the kick backing up Louisville to their own three-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Brown fumbled the ball, with Miami recovering in the end zone to go up 24-14 with just over five minutes until halftime.

Louisville then missed a 55-yard field goal on their next possession, but their defense turned around and forced a quick Hurricanes three-and-out to give the offense one last shot at points. With 57 seconds left, the Cardinals were able to get to the five-yard line and kick a chip shot 22-yard field goal to go down just 24-17 at the half.

Miami opened up the second half with a methodical 14-play/eight minute drive that ended with a nine-yard receiving score by Restrepo. It was a methodical drive that seemingly took the energy out of the stadium, but Louisville wasn't dead yet.

On the ensuing kickoff, Lacy took a 100-yard return all the way home for a touchdown. On the very first play of Miami's next drive, the Cardinals forced a Canes fumble that set them up just outside the red zone. It took just three plays for Brooks to tie the game with a 21-yard scoring reception.

At that point, the game turned into a full-blown shootout, with Brooks' score being the first of four straight combined touchdown drives.

Miami's Isaiah Horton punched it in from two yards out on a drive that was assisted heavily by a 63-yard gain Restrepo catch, then Duke Watson capped off a methodical drive with a four-yard scoring catch. After that, the Canes jumped back in front on another two-yard score - this time from Ajay Allen on a drive that was set up by a 59-yard catch-and-run by Brown.

The next punt didn't come until just over 10 minutes left in the game, when Louisville had to boot it away trailing by a touchdown. Following a critical replay review, where a game-tying strip sack scoop-and-score was overturned, Miami took advantage and finished the drive with bruising 30-yard touchdown run by Martinez to go up two scores with just over four minutes left.

Despite the steep hill to climb in the final minutes, Louisville didn't quit. They were able to actually find the end zone one final time, with Brooks catching a four-yard touchdown with 54 seconds left. However, the Cardinals could not recover the ensuing onside kick, allowing the Hurricanes to kneel out the clock.

Next up, Louisville has a short turnaround in store, and is heading back on the road for a matchup at Boston College. Kickoff against the Eagles is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. EST.

(Photo of Isaac Brown: Jamie Rhodes - Imagn Images)

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