Louisville Mounts Improbable Comeback to Topple Boston College

The Cardinals gave up 20 unanswered points to start the game, and trailed 27-10 deep into the third quarter.

Oct 25, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Chris Bell (0) runs after making a catch against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Hitting the road for a matchup at Boston College on a short turnaround, the Louisville football program was able mount an incredibly unlikely comeback, storming back from a 20-point deficit to capture a 31-27 win on Friday night at Alumni Stadium.

The Cardinals (5-3, 3-2 ACC) gave up 20 unanswered points to the Eagles (4-4, 1-3 ACC) to start the game, and trailed 27-10 midway through the third quarter. With their backs against the wall, Louisville was able to score three unanswered touchdowns of their own in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Tight end Nate Kurisky hauled in a four-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to get the rally started, running back Isaac Brown added an 18-yard rushing score early in the fourth to get within striking distance, then Kurisky caught the go-ahead six-yard touchdown snag with 7:12 left in the game.

It marked the fourth-largest comeback win in school history, and the largest since Lamar Jackson led a 21-point comeback against Kentucky to win 38-24 on Nov. 28, 2015.

With the win, Louisville avoids falling under .500 in ACC play for the first time under head coach Jeff Brohm, and have now won two consecutive road games. Meanwhile, Boston College drops their third straight game after starting the season at 4-1.

Louisville out-gained their hosts 462 yards to 318, but committed three turnovers while Boston College had none. Quarterback Tyler Shough went 28-of-38 with 33 yards and two touchdowns to Kurisky, but also had two interceptions.

Brown had 85 rushing yards and two total touchdowns on the evening, while wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks led all players with eight catches for 120 yards.

BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos threw for three touchdowns, but he was held largely in check for most of the night, throwing for just 164 yards on 13-of-28 passing. The dual threat signal caller also ran for 43 yards. Running back Treshaun Ward had 64 rushing yards and 81 receiving yards, both of which led the Eagles.

Louisville's defense got off to a much better start than was anticipated, forcing Boston College to go three-and-out on three of their first four drives. The lone exception was a drive that ended with a 54-yard touchdown reception by Kamari Morales to get the scoring started.

However, the Cardinals' normally prolific offense got off to an anemic start. Their first three drives ended with a turnover on downs, an interception and a three-and-out, putting up only 47 total yards yards over these drives.

After Louisville missed a 56-yard field goal to start the second quarter, the wheels began to fall off. BC was able to string together a methodical drive after the missed kick, with Ward catching a four-yard score. Wide receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce fumbled the ball on the Cardinals' ensuing drive, and the Eagles capitalized on the short field, going up by three scores on a four-yard scoring run by Kye Robichaux.

That being said, Louisville did go into halftime with some momentum. It might have taken until their sixth drive to finally get points, but thanks mainly to multiple big catches from Brooks, they were able to find pay dirt on a four-yard touchdown run by Brown in the final minute of the half.

That offensive momentum carried into the second half, with the Cardinals connecting on a 23-yard field goal from Brock Travelstead to open up the half. Before the Louisville rally got started, Boston College had one more score left, responding with a four-yard receiving score from Jeremiah Franklin.

Even after Louisville was able to come back, there were still some tense moments to close out the game. After forcing Boston College to go three-and-out, Shough threw his second pick of the game. Fortunately, the Cardinals then forced an Eagles turnover on downs with less than two minutes left.

A three-and-out by Louisville in the closing minutes gave BC 85 seconds to try and mount one last comeback attempt, but Castellanos' Hail Mary fell to the turf.

Next up, Louisville will stay on the road and head to Death Valley for a showdown with top-ten Clemson. Kickoff against the Tigers is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2 at a to-be-determined time.

(Photo of Chris Bell: Eric Canha - Imagn Images)

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