The No. 10 Louisville football team continued its undefeated stretch by topping Big East rival Cincinnati, 34-31, on Friday.
The Cardinals (8-0, 3-0 Big East) outlasted the Bearcats (5-2, 1-1 Big East) in overtime, as Louisville kicker John Wallace nailed a 30-yard game-winning field goal. The kick came after Terell Floyd intercepted Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux, ending the Bearcats’ only overtime possession.
Throughout the first half, pass defense for both teams dominated the field, as no passing touchdowns were thrown, and the quarterbacks threw for a combined three interceptions.
Instead of the pass, the rushing game came into play. The Cardinals struck first following a Cincinnati field goal, as Jeremy Wright crossed the plane for a 1-yard rushing touchdown with eight minutes, 42 seconds left in the first quarter, putting Louisville on top, 7-3.
But the Bearcats responded on rushing touchdowns by Ralph Abernathy and Legaux to take a 17-7 lead midway through second quarter.
The Cardinals went into the half down three after Senorise Perry punched in an 8-yard rushing touchdown himself.
In the second half, however, the Cincinnati defense could not find a solution to Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater threw for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, finding receiver DeVante Parker on both passes, with the second giving the Cardinals a 31-24 lead with just under two minutes left in regulation.
Bridgewater ended the day with 416 passing yards and two touchdowns against one interception.
Louisville looks to continue its undefeated season next Saturday at home against Temple. The Bearcats return to action on Saturday when they host Syracuse.
The ‘Dogs’ Day
No. 6 Georgia proved its relevance in the Top 25 last Saturday as it handed then-No.2 Florida its first loss of the season, 17-9, in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) grabbed the advantage early, forcing the Gators (7-1, 6-1 SEC) to fumble three plays into the game. Georgia capitalized on the turnover as Todd Gurley found the end zone on a 10-yard run three minutes into the first quarter.
From there, Georgia never lost the lead, holding the Gators out of the end zone, which was the first time Florida failed to score a touchdown this year. The Bulldog defense allowed Florida into the red zone twice out of its 13 drives, both drives resulting in Gators’ turnovers.
Instead of touchdowns, however, the Gators used kicker Caleb Sturgis, as he nailed three field goals, slimming the Georgia lead to just one point, 10-9, with 9:41 left in the fourth quarter. Florida couldn’t get any closer, however, allowing an Aaron Murray 45-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Mitchell, and then fumbling with a chance to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion.
This fumble was the Gators’ sixth turnover of the game, ending a frustrating day for Florida.
The Bulldogs try to build off the win when it continues SEC play at home against Mississippi on Saturday. The Gators are also in action on Saturday when it hosts Missouri.
Nebraska rolls past No. 20 Michigan
Continuing its disappointing season, former-No. 20 Michigan lost yet another game, as Nebraska completed a Big Ten beat down on Saturday, 23-9, in Lincoln, Neb.
The loss marks the Wolverines third of the season (5-3, 3-1 Big Ten), as the Cornhuskers (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) pushed quarterback Denard Robinson and his struggling Michigan team out of the Top 25.
Robinson was reduced to a spectator late in the first half after suffering an elbow injury on his throwing arm.
Just like the Florida, Michigan failed to score a touchdown in the contest. In fact, both teams were limited on touchdowns, as the Cornhuskers were held to just two.
Their first came in the second quarter, breaking the scoreless game off of a Taylor Martinez 32-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Bell. Michigan could only respond with field goals from 52 and 24 yards by kicker Brendan Gibbons, making the score 7-6 at the end of the half.
In the second half, Nebraska took the game with the help of kicker Brett Maher, as he kicked successfully on 19, 51 and 31-yard field goals. After another field goal from Michigan’s Gibbons, the Cornhuskers responded with an Ameer Abdullah 12-yard touchdown run, ending the game with a 23-9 score.
The Wolverines try to bounce back on Saturday at Minnesota, while Nebraska travels to Michigan State.
Tom Mulherin can be reached at [email protected].
