By Chris O’Grady
The Louisville football team showed flashes of brilliance Saturday afternoon in Corvallis, Oregon against 25thranked Oregon State University.
A late interception by Oregon State senior defensive back James Dockery sealed off a late U of L comeback, giving the Beavers a 35-28 victory that came much harder than many expected for a team favored by 20 points.
The Cardinal offense exploded against the team from the Pac-10, with 453 yards of total offense. Senior quarterback Adam Froman threw for 288 yards and a touchdown, while running for another 51 yards and two scores. Froman had another touchdown reversed by the review official; after it was determined he fumbled before he made it to the endzone.
Senior receiver Doug Beaumont caught nine passes for 121 yards, while junior wide receiver Josh Bellamy added three catches for 65 yards, and tight end Cameron Graham caught three balls for 41 yards and a touchdown. As has been come to be expected for the Cards this season, senior running back Bilal Powell paced the running game with 20 rushes for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Graham’s catch in the corner of the endzone brought the Cards back to within a touchdown with less than 5 minutes remaining in the game. The defense was able to stop Oregon’s State junior running back Jacquizz Rodgers on a third and 2 run to set up Froman for a final drive with under two minutes remaining. Starting at their own 9, the offense moved the ball successfully, but a pass intended for Bellamy was intercepted as Froman was hit as he threw.
The Cards let two early opportunities slip away. They failed to score from the two yard line on their first drive, and Froman’s fumble in the endzone were both potential scoring opportunities.
Oregon State’s star combo of James and Jacquizz Rodgers electrified a Louisville defense that looked so good against Eastern Kentucky University. Jacquizz ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns, while catching 5 passes for 22 yards and another score. James caught three passes, and killed the Cards on special teams with four returns for 161 yards.
The Cards move to 1-2 under Coach Strong, and have a bye week next week, after which they will return to play at Arkansas State University on Oct. 2 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
