2024-10-20 02:55:04
The Miami football team managed to avoid an upset today at Louisville, but there were a few heart-stopping moments in the 52-45 win. Keep scrolling for highlights.
The Hurricanes, up to No. 6 in the polls, are now off to a 7-0 start. Quarterback Cam Ward padded his Heisman Trophy case with 319 yards and four touchdown passes, while Xavier Restrepo and Sam Brown Jr. both had 100 yards and a receiving touchdown. Damien Martinez put the game away with a 30-yard touchdown in which he shook off several tacklers.
Louisville (4-3) also entered with one of the nation’s top offenses, and they gave the Hurricanes their money’s worth Saturday. After a 100-yard Caullin Lacy kickoff return for a touchdown, the Cardinals forced a fumble by Mark Fletcher Jr., leading to the first of two Ja’Corey Brooks touchdown receptions that stunningly tied the game at the time.
Ward put Miami back in front, but he nearly gave up the lead later when officials initially ruled he fumbled on a hit from T.J. Quinn and Antonio Watts returned the ball for a touchdown. But upon review, the play was ruled an incomplete pass, and the Hurricanes escaped Louisville with a win.
Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough finished with 342 yards and four TDs, while freshman running back Isaac Brooks had 107 yards and two scores, including a tone-setting 43-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Next up for Miami is in-state rival Florida State, who is off to a shocking 1-6 start a year after starting 13-0 and winning the ACC championship.
ESPN said Louisville had not attempted an onside kick this season before Nick Keller set up for one today. The attempt rolled far downfield before Xavier Restrepo fell on it, letting Miami kneel out for the win. The Hurricanes improve to 7-0, while the Cardinals are now 4-3.
Final score: Miami 52, Louisville 45
The exciting finished pushed the start of Alabama-Tennessee back to 3:50 p.m. The game is starting on ESPN2.
On fourth-and-8, a deep ball to Ja’Corey Brooks resulted in a Jadais Richard pass interference that resulted in a Louisville first down. Tyler Shough completed another fourth-down conversion, then Brooks made a double move to get the ball inside the 5 with about a minute left. Miami called a timeout to organize its defense.
Shough found Brooks for a 4-yard touchdown with 54 seconds left. Louisville took the extra point.
Score: Miami 52, Louisville 45 | 0:56 in 4th quarter
Damien Martinez would not be denied coming off the injury timeout, churning his legs and dragging tacklers 30 yards for what could be the game-sealing touchdown.
Martinez now has 89 yards on 12 carries. Look to him to finish off the game … if Miami can keep Louisville from scoring.
Score: Miami 52, Louisville 38 | 4:05 in 4th quarter
Ajay Allen opened the drive with a 13-yard scamper, then Cam Ward completed a few short passes before being sacked by Ben Perry. On third-and-17, Ward scrambled for 20, diving for the first down. ESPN said it was Miami’s seventh play for more than 20 yards on the day.
But then disaster hit. Ward was hit by T.J. Quinn as he threw, and Antonio Watts recovered the ball and ran it back for a touchdown. Official review reversed the call, ruling it incomplete as Ward’s arm was moving forward before the ball came out.
Guard Anez Cooper went down with an injury after Miami took over again.
Score: Miami 45, Louisville 38 | 4:44 in 4th quarter
ESPN sideline reporter Stormy Buonantony said Louisville running back Isaac Brown was in the injury tent and was limping. She said he waved off coaches, indicating he was still good to play. The freshman has been the Cardinals’ leading rusher with 56 yards, most on his big first-half touchdown.
Kyle Shough was flagged for intentional grounding, dooming Louisville’s ensuing drive. The punt took a great bounce, though, and Miami will take over near their own 20.
Score: Miami 45, Louisville 38 | 10:16 in 4th quarter
Sam Brown Jr. got away from the Louisville defense on a 59-yard catch-and-run over the middle to immediately put Miami back in business.
Running back Ajay Allen finished it off with a slippery 9-yard run and a 2-yard push into the end zone. Ward is now over 300 yards passing, a milestone he’s reached in every game this season. Brown has 125 receiving yards today. Can the defense hold up?
Score: Miami 45, Louisville 38 | 11:17 in 4th quarter
Through three quarters, Cam Ward is 17 of 26 for 239 yards and four touchdowns, while Tyler Shough is 20 of 32 for 212 yards and two TDs. Xavier Restrepo leads all receivers with six catches for 97 yards and a score, and Mark Fletcher Jr. leads all rushers with 73 yards on 13 carries (he also has 26 yards on four catches and a fumble).
Coach Jeff Brohm decided to go for it on fourth-and-8, and Miami’s D’Yoni Hill was called for defensive holding to give the Cardinals a first down. Duke Watson finished off the drive with a 7-yard run and a 4-yard swing pass to the left-corner pylon. We’re tied up again, folks.
Score: Miami 38, Louisville 38 | 13:22 in 4th quarter
ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin said Miami should have been called for holding as Ashton Gillotte tried to sack Cam Ward on the deep pass to Restrepo. The fans in Louisville certainly agree.
The Cardinals had more tricks up their sleeve with a fake punt. Tight end Duane Martin took the direct snap and ran 14 yards to keep the ball away from Ward.
Tyler Shough took Louisville to the Miami 37 at the end of the third quarter. Miami had the ball for 10:42 in the quarter but both teams scored two touchdowns. The fourth ought to be a doozy.
Score: Miami 38, Louisville 31 | End of 3rd quarter
Cam Ward waved off the punt team and opted to go for it on fourth down from the Miami 34-yard line. Mark Fletcher Jr. barreled through the line to get the big first down, the Hurricanes’ second fourth-down conversion from their own territory. Ward then uncorked a 63-yard bomb to Xavier Restrepo, who got tripped up at the 2-yard line.
Ward hit Isaiah Horton on a slant to put Miami back ahead. Hold on tight, everybody.
Score: Miami 38, Louisville 31 | 3:09 in 3rd quarter
As the ESPN commentators were talking about Xavier Restrepo’s place alongside Michael Irvin, Santana Moss and the rest of the great Miami receivers, Louisville’s Caullin Lacy zigzagged his way to a 100-yard kick-return touchdown to bring life back to the home crowd.
Then right after Jordan Rodgers said “this is gonna be a weird one,” Mark Fletcher Jr. fumbled a screen pass after Thor Griffith punched the ball out.
Louisville took over at the Miami 26-yard line, and Isaac Brown nearly made an incredible one-handed touchdown catch on the first play. The Cardinals did get the game-tying touchdown a few plays later when Tyler Shough found Ja’Corey Brooks on a 21-yard seed.
Score: Miami 31, Louisville 31 | 6:59 in 3rd quarter
Isaiah Horton was back on the field when Cam Ward scrambled up the middle to convert a third-and-6 in Louisville territory. Damien Martinez dragged a pile of defenders about 15 yards for another third-down conversion to get inside the red zone. The drive ended with another third-down conversion, this one a 9-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Restrepo.
It was a 14-play drive that took half of the third quarter.
Score: Miami 31, Louisville 14 | 8:01 in 3rd quarter
Miami started the second half with the ball. Damien Martinez moved the ball on three rushes, then Cam Ward hit Isaiah Horton near midfield. The sophomore receiver reached back to his left quad while lying on the ground, and the training staff came out to check on him.
Score: Miami 24, Louisville 17 | 13:13 in 3rd quarter
Cam Ward: 9-15, 143 yards, 2 TD
Mark Fletcher Jr.: 10 carries, 68 yards, 2 catches, 20 yards
Xavier Restrepo: 2 catches, 21 yards
Sam Brown Jr.: 2 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD
Tyler Shough: 16-24, 168 yards, 1 TD
Isaac Brown: 8 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble
Chris Bell: 5 catches, 77 yards
The Cardinals moved into Miami territory, but Simeon Barrow got a crucial sack on third down and kicker Brock Travelstead couldn’t hit the 52-yard field goal. Cam Ward nearly hit Xavier Restrepo on a bomb, but the ball bounced past the diving receiver’s hands. He then nearly made a juggling catch on his back, but the pass was ruled incomplete upon review.
After the Hurricanes punted back to Louisville, and Jamari Johnson was injured as Jaden Harris rolled over his ankle making a tackle. Shough led a methodical drive back into scoring position, then running back Duke Watson found a hole for 26 yards. Travelstead ended the half with a 22-yard field goal.
Score: Miami 24, Louisville 17 | Halftime
A holding penalty negated the good return, putting the ball at Louisville’s 3-yard line. On the first play, Rueben Bain Jr. wrapped up Isaac Brown’s legs as Simeon Barrow Jr. forced the fumble in the end zone, which was recovered by Raul Aguirre Jr.
Score: Miami 24, Louisville 14 | 5:01 in 2nd quarter
After Louisville went for it on fourth down at their own 32, Miami upped the ante by going for it on fourth-and-short at their own 25. Mark Fletcher Jr. burst through the line to convert, then caught a Cam Ward pass over the middle for 18 on the next play. The sophomore from Fort Lauderdale has 88 total yards so far.
The Cardinals defense finally got to Ward, sacking him on two straight plays to snap the drive in its tracks. Jordan Guerad and Dez Tell led the way, leading to a punt returned near the 30-yard line.
Score: Miami 17, Louisville 14 | 5:09 in 2nd quarter
Donald Chaney Jr. got the Louisville comeback effort started with a 26-yard run up the gut. Tyler Shough took over from there, finding Caullin Lacy and Chris Bell in space to get the ball to Miami’s 2-yard line. A play-action pass falling away to tight end Mark Redman kept the shootout going. Miami has 201 total yards to Louisville’s 164. Defense looks optional early on.
Score: Miami 17, Louisville 14 | 10:32 in 2nd quarter
After a short gain by Damien Martinez, Cam Ward once again had all day to find a receiver. Sam Brown found himself wide open on a slant over the middle for a 49-yard bomb. It was Ward’s 22nd TD pass of the season.
Ward is up to 119 passing yards barely into the second quarter.
Score: Miami 17, Louisville 7 | 14:32 in 2nd quarter
Francisco Mauigoa stuffed a Wildcat play with Isaac Brown on third down, setting up fourth-and-short at the Cardinals’ 32-yard line. Tyler Shough kept it on a quarterback sneak for the first down. Despite a valiant effort from Shough completing a pass while being spun down by Tyler Baron, Louisville was forced to punt.
Starting on the Miami 21, Cam Ward hit Xavier Restrepo with an 18-yard dart and Damien Martinez ran up the middle for 9, bringing an exciting first quarter to an end. Ward is 6 of 9 for 70 yards and a touchdown, with 21 yards on two carries. Mark Fletcher Jr. already has 51 yards on six carries. Tyler Shough is 4 of 7 for 31 yards, while Isaac Brown has 55 yards on five carries.
Score: Miami 10, Louisville 7 | End 1st quarter
Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. handled the first three plays of the drive, pounding up the middle for 40 total yards. Then it was up to Cam Ward, who added to his highlight reel with a gorgeous 28-yard touchdown pass to Jacolby George in the back corner of the end zone.
Ward has had a lot of time to throw, though Louisville’s secondary has been solid at covering Miami’s talented receivers. This one is proving to be a shootout as promised so far.
Score: Miami 10, Louisville 7 | 5:05 in 1st quarter
After a good Caullin Lacy kick return, Louisville got to work fast. Tyler Shough found Chris Bell for 17 yards, and then it became the Isaac Brown show. The freshman running back from Homestead, Florida, nearly burst through a hole in the line, stumbling for just 8 yards. But he turned on the afterburners on the next snap, taking the handoff left for a 43-yard touchdown.
Miami greats Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas are on hand. Hopefully Irvin doesn’t have as much stress as he did last time at Cal.
Score: Louisville 7, Miami 3 | 7:09 in 1st quarter
Louisville started the game with a three-and-out after a deep pass sailed past Caullin Lacy. Miami moved the ball with Mark Fletcher Jr. and short plays from Cam Ward. The quarterback hit Xavier Restrepo on a 28-yard catch-and-run touchdown, but it was called back by offensive pass interference by tight end Elijah Arroyo.
A false start led to third-and-26 close to midfield, and after some nifty moves to avoid a sack, Ward scrambled to get back into field-goal range. Andres Borregales booted the 55-yard try home with plenty of room to spare, giving the Hurricanes an early lead.
Score: Miami 3, Louisville 0 | 8:34 in 1st quarter
Most of the ESPN panel picked Miami, but one member went with Louisville in the upset. Somehow it led to Pat McAfee asking guest picker and PGA star Scottie Scheffler about his time in jail after his arrest before the PGA Championship.
The Hurricanes and Cardinals have played more than a dozen times dating back to their first meeting in 1933, and while they’ve had some memorable matchups, such as Miami’s come-from-behind victory in 2004 at the Orange Bowl, both programs have largely saved their gridiron acrimony for other schools.
But there is a trophy at stake in today’s game: a bronzed pair of cowboy boots from Howard Schnellenberger, the legendary coach who led both teams during his storied career. – Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network
Watch Miami vs Louisville live on Fubo (free trial)
Miami vs. Louisville will broadcast nationally on ABC in Week 8 of the 2024 college football season. Joe Tessitore and Jordan Rodgers will call the game from the booth at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, with Stormy Buonantony reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Miami tackle Jalen Rivers is expected to return, coach Mario Cristobal said. Cornerback Damari Brown, who was injured in Week 1 vs. Florida, is still expected to be out.
Louisville running back Maurice Turner is out for today’s game.
Weather.com predicts 63 degrees at kickoff with sunny skies in Louisville. Winds are expected to blow out of the southwest at 0-2 mph. The forecast does not call for rain.
Today’s game is going to have a monochromatic theme with Louisville sporting all black unis and the ‘Canes going with the all-white road set.
Alexis Cubit, Louisville Courier-Journal: Miami 38, Louisville 31
“This has the makings of being an offensive showdown between two of the ACC’s top-five scoring offenses. Despite U of L showing improvement defending mobile quarterbacks, Miami quarterback Cam Ward will be too much for the Cardinals to handle, resulting in Louisville’s second ACC loss.”
David Caraviello, OddsShark: Back Louisville
“The Cardinals remain a dangerous football team averaging over 36 points per game and allowing fewer than 20. Quarterback Tyler Shough (an Oregon transfer) passed for 329 yards and two TDs in the shootout loss to SMU, and Ja’Corey Brooks is one of the top receivers in the ACC. The point spread has widened somewhat since opening at Miami -2.5, and right now it’s tough to trust the Hurricanes against the number.”
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
The 2024 Hurricanes boast five preseason All-ACC players, the most of any team. They are led by quarterback Cam Ward, a Washington State transfer and the preseason ACC Player of the Year. The other selections: receiver Xavier Restrepo, defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., linebacker Francisco Mauigoa and kicker Andres Borregales.
The 2024 Cardinals boast two preseason All-ACC selections: defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte and guard Michael Gonzalez. The Louisville quarterback is redshirt senior Tyler Shough, who is fourth in the ACC with 1,674 passing yards. Redshirt senior Ja’Corey Brooks is second in the ACC with 527 receiving yards.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
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