Well, Louisville battled, looked inspired, and fought through adversity to defeat FSU 31-28 in Tallahassee.
It wasn’t pretty, at all. But it was a successful road trip that put this team in a much better position than they were in before the game clock hit zeros. Louisville started hot early, with Lamar rushing for an easy touchdown on the first drive of the game. FSU answered with a drive of their own, making the score 7-7. It took awhile for another score to happen, and that score came off a Lamar Jackson fumble that the Seminoles ran home for 6.
Lamar answered again, though, with a beautiful pass to Seth Dawkins to the score at 14. Trumaine Washington then grabbed his 2nd interception of the day and went down with 8 seconds left in FSU territory. A very questionable call to immediately kick the field goal was unsuccessful and the score was 14-14 at half.
Louisville’s defense held stout and didn’t give up much of anything to the Seminoles to start the 2nd half. Louisville’s offense took advantage and jumped ahead 28-14 early in the 4th quarter. It seemed as though the game was all but over after a 4th and 10 pass fell incomplete for FSU’s Blackman. However, an atrocious roughing the passer call gave FSU the first down and they would score on the next play by recovering a fumble in the endzone..when it rains, it pours. Louisville went 3-and-out on their next drive and FSU answered by tying the score at 28.
Louisville moved the ball to just outside of comfortable field goal range, but elected to go for it on 4th and 2. The attempt was unsuccessful. Then, FSU looked as though they would put this ugly, but eventful, game away until a fumble on a read-option gave Louisville their final chance to get back on track.
Louisville took advantage and moved the ball down the field and well into field goal range. Blanton Creque came in and shook off his earlier miss and knocked in the game-winning field goal from 34 yards, giving Louisville a much-needed win by a final score of 31-28.
Lamar Jackson finished 13/21 passing for 156 yards and 1 touchdown. More impressively, Jackson rushed for 178 yards on 23 carries and added another touchdown on the ground. Reggie Bonnafon scored for the second straight game and Redshirt-Freshman running back Dae Williams scored his first collegiate touchdown.
It was definitely not pretty, it was very tough to watch at times, but Louisville did play with heart that hadn’t been seen in a long time and any time you can beat FSU in Tallahassee, you have to be happy. Up next, Louisville travels to Wake Forest.
Go Cards!
