Hurricanes Answer Challenge: Earn Victory Against Cardinals

The No. 6-ranked Miami Hurricanes (7-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) traveled to Louisville to battle the Cardinals (4-3, 2-2) in an ACC clash for the Howard Schnellenberger Trophy on Oct. 19. Named after the legendary coach who roamed the sidelines of both universities, the teams meet for just the 16th time overall. While the Hurricanes lead the overall series 11-4-1, the Cardinals did win last season 38-31. This season, the name of the game was high-powered offense as the Hurricanes answered the challenge with a 52-45 victory.

Hurricanes Get Win

In what was expected to be a back-and-forth game, neither school disappointed. The Hurricanes and quarterback Cam Ward (21-of-32 for 319 yards and 4 touchdowns) opened the scoring with a 55-yard field goal by Andres Borregales to take an early 3-0 lead. The Cardinals and Hurricanes traded touchdowns to end the quarter with Miami up 10-7. The second quarter saw both teams keep their foot on the gas with the highlight coming from a fumble forced by defensive lineman Simeon Barrow Jr. on running back Isaac Brown that linebacker Raul Aguirre Jr. recovered in the end zone that saw the Hurricanes take a 24-14 lead as the teams went into halftime.

A wild third quarter by both teams saw 28 points scored between the two teams. After Ward connected with receiver Xavier Restrepo (7 receptions for 101 yards) for a touchdown to begin the quarter, the Cardinals quickly answered with an electrifying 100-yard kickoff return by receiver Caullin Lacy to make the score 31-24 in favor of the Hurricanes. After a fumble by Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher, Louisville scored quickly to tie the game at 31. Both teams traded touchdowns to tie the score again at 38, with Louisville calling and successfully converting a fake punt on fourth-and-7 from their own 28-yard line. The final quarter began with Louisville down 38-31 and driving toward the end zone. After a 4-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Tyler Shough (31-of-50 for 342 yards and 4 touchdowns) to running back Duke Watson tied the game at 38, the Hurricanes quickly answered with an 80-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a 59-yard pass to receiver Samuel Brown (3 receptions, 125 yards). The 2-yard touchdown by running back Ajay Allen made the score 45-38.

Key Play of the Game

In a game where both teams combined for 986 yards of total offense, the key drive came in the fourth quarter where after the Hurricanes scored to take the 45-38 lead, the defense stepped up and forced a punt after a three-and-out. The next drive for the Hurricanes and Ward resulted in a 30-yard touchdown run by running back Damien Martinez to put the game out of reach for the Cardinals.

What Does It Mean?

For the Hurricanes

It was a must-win game. Following two games that were closer than expected coach Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes needed a strong showing and win to keep their climb toward the College Football Playoff going. The win also positions the Hurricanes as one of the front-runners for the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 7. Restrepo moved up in the school record books as he moved past Michael Irvin to third all-time in receiving yards for the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes next play the Florida State Seminoles (1-6, 1-5) on Oct. 26.

For the Cardinals

It was a must-win game for the Cardinals to keep their hopes alive for the ACC Championship. Now with two conference losses, they are on the outside looking in. While the season is not over with a lot of football yet to be played, the Cardinals and head coach Jeff Brohm will look to play the role of spoiler for conference foes especially the No. 10 Clemson Tigers (6-1, 5-0) when they play on Nov. 2. While the game was a loss, it wasn't a bad loss at all. The Cardinals proved they can play and compete with some of the top teams in the country. The Cardinals next play Boston College (4-3, 1-2) on Oct. 25.