MIAMI GARDENS, FL — Maybe the bettors knew something that only Louisville football did?
The betting line for the Cardinals’ ACC game against second-ranked Miami went from the Hurricanes being favored by 13 ½ points to 10 ½ points just before the game started and 3 ½ points at the two-minute timeout just before halftime. U of L (5-1, 2-1 ACC) certainly made an argument for itself, opening the game with a 14-0 lead. After having never won at Miami (5-1, 1-1), the Cardinals recorded their second straight road win against the Hurricanes, 24-21, on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
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This is the program’s first top-five win since beating second-ranked Florida State, 63-20, in 2016 and its first top-five road win since taking a 28-24 victory at Cincinnati in 2007. The victory also puts the Cardinals back in the ACC championship race and, as a result, in the mix for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Cardinals’ offense received a boost with Isaac Brown looking as healthy as he’s been in more than a month. The sophomore ripped a 28-yard run during the game-opening drive and finished with 113 rushing yards for his third 100-yard rushing performance of the season and the eighth of his career.
Chris Bell, who’s averaging 100 receiving yards per game, added 136 receiving yards along with touchdown receptions of 35 and 36 yards, respectively, to aid the upset and earn a shoutout from Louisville legend Lamar Jackson.
Louisville coach Jeff Brohm started with trickeration, running a wildcat play with Caullin Lacy at quarterback. Deuce Adams, too, took two snaps and ran 7 yards.
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A fake field goal on third and 2 from the 4-yard line then set up Miller Moss’ 1-yard touchdown. It was the third straight game in which the Cardinals’ QB1 had a rushing touchdown, and he finished with 248 yards on 23-for-37 passing (62%) with three total touchdowns.
After Louisville’s defense held Miami to a three-and-out on the first drive, Moss found Bell, who outran several Canes en route to his first score of the night. UM quarterback Carson Beck had three interceptions coming into the game and was picked off four times – one apiece for Antonio Watts, Jabari Mack, Jojo Evans and T.J. Capers.
Louisville’s defense limited Miami, which never led in the game, to one touchdown through three quarters and below its season average of 35 points per game.
The teams traded field goals during the third quarter before Bell’s second TD put the Cardinals up, 24-13. And even after Malachi Toney’s 12-yard rushing touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, the Cards’ defense held up during Miami’s last attempt to either tie or take the lead, finishing the game with Capers’ pick.
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Louisville football’s next game
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Who: Louisville vs. Boston College
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Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville football surprises No. 2 Miami in ACC heavyweight battle
