It’s the first Saturday of the college football season and it’s time for #8 on my list off favorite Louisville Football games. These are not in order, i repeat…these are not in order. This was one of the first big games that we got to cover at CSZ. At this point it was myself, Justin Renck, Tony Williams, and Steve Rummage. Steve is the co-host of Middays with Marques Maybin on ESPN 93.9 The Ville. (Still makes me say that.)
On this night though, it was just myself and Steve. There was a monsoon. He was our videographer using the trusty iPad2 and I was the reporter taking notes all while daring Jesus to give us pneumonia. We did not get it. Thank you Lord for sparing us. It was almost impossible to get get photos and video because of the rain, but somehow Steve still managed. We only got to use 25% of them actually.
For today’s edition of Top Ten games, I decided to include the actual recap from that game; just to throw it back a little. It was written up by the editor in chief at the time, gool ol’ J. R., Justin Renck. I think you all will enjoy it. Click more to read the Story and watch the game at the end!
On that Friday night when the University of Louisville and University of Cincinnati met on the field, nothing was for certain….well other than the rain. UofL overcame 2 double digit deficits to down UC 34-31 in the first ever OT meeting between the schools in their long storied rivalry. There was a big game feeling on this evening that felt even bigger with the weather conditions. You could tell there were gonna be some fireworks.
Cincy struck first when they drove down the field and went up 3-0 on a 47 yard FG by Tony Miliano. UL struck back quickly with a 1 yard Jeremy Wright TD making it 7-3.
Nearly 8 minutes go by before there is another score and its Abernathy taking a trick play 14 yards for a TD to make the score 10-7 UC. The D had ben a little shaky so far, but that was about to change. Preston Brown gets the Cards’ 2nd INT of the night, but once again the Cards’ offense had nothing to show for it. Teddy on the next drive throws an INT almost in the UC red zone, setting up Munchie who goes 4 yards with a QB keeper for a TD and a 17-3 UC lead. UL thought they had a break when the ensuing punt went off the Cincy returner into the end zone, but it was ruled a touchback.
The Cards then methodically drive down the field and cap it off with a 8 yard Senorise Perry TD, cutting the deficit to 17-14 UC. With 2:38 remaining in the half, the Cards come up big on defense and force UC to punt with :57 seconds left. The Cards bring it down and attempt a 57 yd FG with time expiring that was no good. We go to the half with UC up 17-14.
Cincy got the ball first in the 2nd half and scored on a 4 yd run by Abernathy, pushing the lead back up to 10…Cincy 24 UL 14. At this point, the stadium was kind of deflated, but you could tell they never lost hope. UL takes 7 minutes off the clock with their first possession of the 2nd half and Teddy goes 7/7 passing, but all the Cards could get was a 27 yd FG by Wallace to cut the deficit to 24-17.
The Cards come back and force a 3 and out on that next possession with some stellar defense. The Cards take over and return the favor by going three and out themselves. UL punts the ball, but Cincy starts out on the UL 45. Cincy does not take advantage of it. A holding call on 3rd and 5 and subsequent FF by Marcus Smith cools off the Cincy offense for now. The Cards start off deep at their 9 with the next possession after a muff of the punt. When all was looking bleak, it was Teddy time. A 51 yd strike to WR Damian Copeland followed by runs by Wright and Perry lead to a spectacular 30 yd TD to DeVante Parker that ties us up at 24! The crowd goes wild!
UC goes three and out again on their next possession and punts it to the 35. UL takes possession and gets a big 18 yd gain by Jeremy Wright as the rain starts to pour again. Then Teddy, with one of his few mistakes, overshoots Copeland for a for-sure TD and the Cards have to punt. UC then starts at the 10 before taking it all the way into FG range and missing wide left on a 46 yarder which gave the Cards the ball with just 2:35 left, setting UL up for what most thought would be the game winning FG. Teddy had other ideas. A 2 play, 71 yard drive with passes to Copeland and a big 64 yarder to Parker took just 39 seconds off the clock and gave UL its first lead at 31-24.
That should have been it, but Cincy dug deep. UL’s defense slipped up at the worst time, giving up a quick :53 second TD of their own when LeGeaux hit Damon Julian for a 26 yard TD. Tie ball game at 31. The Cards come out with the ensuing possession and get a huge catch by WR Scott Radcliff, but that’s all we could do and the series sees its first ever OT game.
UL wins the toss and goes on defense first. Cincy comes out and only gains 1 yard of offense before Munchie LeGeaux throws his third INT of the night to Terrell Floyd, giving the Cards a chance to win the game with a FG. after five running plays they set up on the left hash, by request of Wallace and this is the result
Cards Win! Wallace was 2-3 on the night with the one miss coming from the Yum! Center parking lot. A great game to be a part of and a huge win going into the final 4 games of the season. We had been waiting for a huge game from the defense and we got it. Multiple 3 & outs and 3 turnovers. It’s a great time to be stepping up. Even the rain couldn’t stop Bridgewater and this team as they win 34-31 in OT
Here are some celebration videos as a bonus and then the 1 hour recap video since i couldn’t find the enire game anywhere.
