Louisville hosted Florida State in an ACC matchup and came up short in a hard-fought battle. This was UofL’s first conference game and home game of the year. After a highly anticipated home opener, the cards fall to the Seminoles 35-31 in a competitive outing. The estimated attendance was 46,000 at Cardinal Stadium. It truly felt like it inside Cardinal Stadium. The crowd was amazing and loud.
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Photo Cred: http://www.tomahawknation.com
The First quarter was very thrilling, with both teams scoring two touchdowns. Florida State started with a five-play; 61-yard drive down the field. Ending with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Travis to Preston Daniel. Louisville responded with their long drive. Malik Cunningham led a seven-play, 75-yard drive for a touchdown and scored on an 8-yard run. Louisville would go on to stop them on the next drive. Late in the quarter, the Cardinals would score off a 17-yard touchdown catch by Trievion Cooley from Malik Cunningham. Florida State would quickly respond with a touchdown of their own from a 3-play, 75-yard drive. Jordan Travis 21-yard touchdown throw to Malik McClain would end the quarter.
The second quarter would slow down for both offensive sides of the ball, and the defense picked up. Florida State’s sophomore starting QB would go out with a lower leg injury with 7:54 left in the quarter. Red shirt sophomore Tate Rodemaker would take over. Louisville put together one scoring drive with 5:30 left. The 6-play 43-yard drive ended with Trevion Cooley’s one-yard run giving the Cards a 21-14 halftime lead into halftime and all the momentum.
Photo Cred: Courier Journal
With emotions running high after losing their starting QB, Florida State came out with a belief in their backup QB. The third quarter continued the defensive battle. Both teams adjusted to each other. There was an emphasis on defense and running the ball. Both teams would stop each other multiple drives. Florida State would go on to score with 8:58 left in the quarter. On a drive that took ten plays and seventy-five yards. A Lawrance Toafili 15-yard run touchdown tied the game 21-21.
Photo Cred: WDRB
The Fourth quarter would be electric. The Cardinals would throw the first punch in the fourth. With a 3-play, 63-yard drive for a touchdown. The touchdown would come from an explosive 18-yard run by Malik Cunningham with 14:25 left in the quarter. Turning the score to 28-21 cards led. Florida State would respond quickly with a three-play scoring drive of their own. To score off a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tate Rodemaker to Jonny Wilson to tie the game at 28-28.
The Cards would drive down the field but come up short from the touchdown, settling for a 36-yard field goal by James Turner. Giving the cards the led at 31-28. Florida State turned around to put an amazing drive down the field that ended in a 2-yard touchdown pass from Tate Rodemaker to Jonny Wilson. Florida State took the lead 35-31, with 7:54 left. Louisville would get two more chances to respond. The first ended on downs, and the second ended in an interception. Louisville would end up losing to the Seminoles.
Photo Cred: SI.com
Louisville had 495 total yards, held the ball for 29:12, and 25 first downs. The Cards are moving in the right direction. They need to find ways of closing teams out or getting key stops. Louisville also would commit eleven penalties for eighty-one yards. Once the cards cut down on mental errors, they will become a better team.
