Miller Moss slow 1st half forced Louisville to make crucial in-game adjustments

The Louisville football program earned one of its grittiest wins in a long time. The Cardinals were down 17-0, and the fans were beginning to hold their breaths, thinking this game might get ugly. Miller Moss threw a pick-six, and the offense wasn't generating anything in the first quarter.

However, they rattled off 17 straight points, thanks to some help from special teams, and went into halftime down 27-17. Moss had an unimpressive first half, as he was missing throws and not playing up to the standard the program and the fans are accustomed to. However, with his back against the wall, Moss drew on his experience and the next-play mentality and delivered a strong performance in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, ultimately leading Louisville to victory.

Miller Moss second half surge saved Louisville's ACC dreams

The Cardinals secured their first road win, Power Four win, and ACC win in yesterday's 34-27 victory over Pitt. The Cards had to do it in dramatic fashion, but a win is a win in conference games.

Moss started the game extremely slowly and was off to a rough start, as he couldn't get anything going in the first half. However, in the second half, the USC transfer showed his experience and why Brohm went out and got him, having one of the best halves of his career.

Despite starting 8-of-16, Moss went on in the second half to dominate for the Cardinals and throw 15-of-20 for 169 yards, with two passing touchdowns. The USC transfer finished the game 33-of-51 for 339 yards, three passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown, marking a season-high in completions, passing yards, and total touchdowns.

"The biggest thing for us that we just kept fighting," Moss stated on second-half adjustments. "I don't know what the numbers are on being down 17-0 on the road, but I would assume they're not very high. So, I'm really proud of the group in terms of their ability to just continue to play the next play, continue to fight."

In the fourth quarter alone, Moss went 6-of-7 with 80 passing yards and a beautiful go-ahead touchdown throw to tight end Nate Kurisky. This ball to take the lead was by far the best play since he joined Louisville, and it came at the biggest moment of the season so far.

Louisville fans were not happy with Moss's first-half performance, but the transfer made crucial in-game adjustments and put on a second-half performance that gives fans hope this team truly is a contender for the ACC Championship.

Related: 5 crucial games that will make or break the Louisville Cardinals' 2025 ACC Title push

Louisville and Virginia will kick off next Saturday, October 4, from L&N Stadium at 3:30 p.m. local time.