In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, the University of Louisville football team extended its impressive home winning streak to 11 games by defeating Virginia 31-24 at L&N Stadium. With this victory, Louisville improves to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in ACC play, showcasing their dominance on their home turf.
The Cardinals’ special teams made a resounding impact right from the start, as they blocked a punt in the endzone, and Jimmy Calloway managed to recover the ball for a touchdown just before halftime. This gave Louisville a 14-0 lead heading into the locker room.
However, Virginia refused to back down and gained momentum in the third quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points to take a surprising 21-14 lead into the fourth quarter. The Cardinals were faced with a significant challenge but rose to the occasion.
In the final quarter, Louisville displayed their resilience as they fought back into the game. Ahmari Huggins-Bruce made a magnificent 52-yard touchdown reception, tying the game and reigniting hope for the Cardinals. But they didn’t stop there. Isaac Guerendo then broke free for a spectacular 73-yard touchdown run, sealing the victory for Louisville.
On the defensive side of the ball, Devin Neal stood out as he led the team with 11 total tackles and grabbed a crucial interception during the game. His impact was evident in shutting down Virginia’s offense and aiding in Louisville’s triumph.
Looking back at the game, the scoring highlights for each quarter were as follows:
In the first quarter, Louisville started strong with a four-yard touchdown pass from Jack Plummer to Joey Gatewood, capping off a 60-yard drive.
In the second quarter, Louisville’s D’Angelo Hutchinson came up with a crucial blocked punt, and Jimmy Calloway capitalized on the opportunity, catching the ball for a touchdown, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 14-0.
The third quarter saw Virginia mount an impressive comeback. Jack Griese scored a one-yard touchdown run on fourth down, followed by Cam Robinson intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown, tying the game at 14-14. Malik Washington then scooped up a fumble and ran it 42 yards into the end zone, giving Virginia a 21-14 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals fought back. Brock Travelstead kicked a 35-yard field goal, reducing the deficit to 21-17. Virginia responded with a field goal of their own, this time from Will Bettridge, extending their lead to 24-17. However, Louisville refused to give up, and Jack Plummer connected with Ahmari Huggins-Bruce for a 52-yard touchdown pass, leveling the game once again at 24-24. The game-deciding play came when Isaac Guerendo broke free for a 73-yard touchdown run, giving Louisville a final score of 31-24.
In their next game, Louisville will face Miami on Saturday, November 18, as they aim to continue their winning streak. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on ESPN.
