SAN DIEGO, Calif. – It was a tough ending for the University of Louisville football team as they fell 28-42 to USC in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl. The loss marked the end of their 2023 season, finishing with a 10-4 record. Despite starting the game strong with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Isaac Guerendo, the Cards struggled to slow down the USC offense. The Trojans responded with three consecutive touchdown drives to take a 14-28 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, things looked promising for Louisville as they forced a USC punt and Quincy Riley made a huge play with a 61-yard interception return, the longest in Holiday Bowl history. Guerendo capitalized on the opportunity and scored his second touchdown of the game with a one-yard run, cutting the deficit to seven points.
However, USC’s Miller Moss had an impressive performance with his fifth touchdown pass of the evening, extending the Trojans’ lead to 35-21 going into the final quarter. Guerendo fought back and found the end zone once more with a two-yard run, giving Louisville hope as they trailed by just a touchdown. But USC responded with another Moss passing touchdown, sealing the victory for the Trojans.
Guerendo had a standout game, recording a career-high 161 rushing yards on 23 attempts. This marked his second 100-yard rushing game of the season. His three rushing touchdowns tied the Louisville bowl record and were the most in his career. In his final game as a Cardinal, Jack Plummer completed 21 of 25 passes for 141 yards and zero interceptions.
On the defensive end, Devin Neal led the team with seven tackles, followed by TJ Quinn with five tackles. Riley made an impact with three pass break-ups and four tackles. Louisville’s defense held USC to just 71 rushing yards, while the team ran for 220 yards.
The game unfolded as follows:
First Quarter:
– UL | Isaac Guerendo scored a one-yard rushing touchdown. Louisville 7, USC 0
– USC | Miller Moss connected with Tahj Washington for a 17-yard touchdown. Louisville 7, USC 7
Second Quarter:
– USC | Miller Moss and Tahj Washington connected again for a 29-yard touchdown. USC 14, Louisville 7
– USC | Kyron Hudson caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Miller Moss. USC 21, Louisville 7
– UL | Evan Conley scored a nine-yard rushing touchdown. USC 21, Louisville 14
– USC | Miller Moss found Ja’Kobi Lane for a 31-yard touchdown. USC 28, Louisville 14
Third Quarter:
– UL | Isaac Guerendo scored his second one-yard touchdown. USC 28, Louisville 21
– USC | Miller Moss hit Ja’Kobi Lane for a 12-yard touchdown. USC 35, Louisville 21
Fourth Quarter:
– UL | Isaac Guerendo scored a two-yard rushing touchdown. USC 35, Louisville 28
– USC | Duce Robinson caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Miller Moss. USC 42, Louisville 28
Despite the loss, the University of Louisville football team can be proud of their 2023 season and the efforts they put forth. They showed resilience and fought until the end, but ultimately fell short against the USC Trojans in the Holiday Bowl.
