Louisville football: Turnovers, penalties cost Cards at Miami

Louisville football fell flat in a crucial game at Miami on Saturday, dropping the Cardinals to 5-4 on the season.

After a bye week, Louisville’s next game came in South Beach with bowl eligibility on the line for the first time since 2017.

Miami, coming off a 27-10 win against rival Florida State, had historically struggled in this spot.

The Canes were 2-4 in the last six match-ups coming off of games against their hated rival.

But the first half was all Canes, and the story was all about Miami quarterback, Jarren Williams.

Williams completed his first eight passes and beat Louisville with his legs as well. Miami tied their season high for total points in the first half with 35 total.

The first half as a whole was probably the low point for Louisville football on the season. Micale Cunningham had zero time to throw, even on successful plays. The defense looked completely lost, at a level that Louisville fans hadn’t seen since 2018.

Miami dominated in just about every aspect. But one thing that Louisville struggled with in 2018 that really stood out in half number one, the penalties.

Louisville had ten that cost them 81 yards in the first half to Miami’s two.

Miami’s offense had been the weak spot for the Hurricanes this season, ranked 87th nationally compared to their defense, which is ranked 15th. But their offense looked as good as they ever had. Louisville had a shot to cut it to 14 right before the half, but a late 1st half interception from Cunningham sent Miami into the locker room up 35-14.

Hope was bleak with Miami getting the ball to start the second half, as it should have been. Miami’s offense did more of the same, going straight down the field to take a 28 point lead over the Cards.

A simple wide receiver slant play was far too much for the Cardinal defense this afternoon. Jarren Williams tied the school record of five touchdowns in a game with 26 minutes of game time remaining. He would surpass that number shortly after, breaking the record for touchdowns thrown in one game by a Miami quarterback.

The remainder of the game was essentially all “garbage time.” The Louisville offense improved a bit upon Evan Conley’s late entry. But it was far from enough to make this one a game.

Louisville only lost the second half by four, but that meant they lost the game by 25. It felt like Miami dominated today from start to finish. But Louisville actually out-gained them from scrimmage, accounting for 496 yards of total offense to Miami’s 449. But Louisville’s 14 penalties for 119 yards and three turnovers were just too much to overcome.

Back to reality for Louisville fans.

Miami just felt like they were bigger, stronger, faster and more prepared even after a Cardinal bye week. But this was the toughest game Louisville had left and they’ve shown the ability to shake off a bad performance this year from week to week.

The Cards haven’t lost back to back games this season, and one shouldn’t expect it to happen now. Even after how badly today went.

Louisville will look to return to form next week against NC State.