University of Louisville football team defeats The University of South Florida, 27-25

By John Brady–

It was definitely not easy for head coach Charlie Strong and the University of Louisville football team last Saturday. After a ferocious rally against the University of South Florida (USF), the Cards found themselves victorious once again. Louisville needed a touchdown by Eli Rogers and an interception by Adrian Bushell in order to finally seal the win in the closing minutes.

During the opening drive, USF senior quarterback B.J. Daniels led the charge by the Bulls. After a long drive, South Florida kicker Maikon Bonani nailed the field goal to make it 3-0. Like the previous week at Pittsburgh, the Cardinals would yet again be resilient. Led by Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville started the second quarter with a fourth down touchdown run by Senorise Perry. The Louisville running backs struggled against USF combining 22 carries for 56 yards. Teddy Bridgewater led the Cards in rushing with 10 carries for 74 yards. He also led the game in passing, going 21-25 for 256 yards and a touchdown.

After Louisville took the lead, they didn’t let up before halftime. After the teams traded drives, Louisville went on the attack again. Led by a big-third down conversion, Louisville scored on an 11-yard run by Jeremy Wright with a few minutes before halftime, bringing the score of the game to 14-3.

It looked like the Bulls would cut the deficit before the half on a big pass by B.J. Daniels down into Cardinal territory. After the big pass, Louisville defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin recorded a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery all on the same play to give the Cards a safe 14-3 lead at halftime.

That lead was short-lived at the start of the second half. Aided by a controversial personal foul on Louisville’s Jermaine Reve, the Bulls found themselves in scoring position. Under pressure, B.J. Daniels threw a jump ball pass to receiver Andre Davis for a 12-yard score to make the score 14-10. Teddy Bridgewater responded by seizing the ball back for the Cards. Bridgewater drove the field and found Damian Copeland for a 21-yard touchdown 21-10. This was Copeland’s first career touchdown in a college football game.

USF fought all the way back in the fourth quarter. Driving down the field using big plays both on his feet and through the air, B.J. Daniels found Sean Price wide open in the end zone. After the touchdown, USF running back Demetris Murray punched in a two point conversion to cut the Cardinals’ lead 21-18.

After a pass interference call on Louisville’s Adrian Bushell, USF had no trouble taking the lead. B.J. Daniels threw another jump ball touchdown pass to Andre Davis to give USF its first lead of the game at 25-21 with three minutes left to play.

With the game in the balance, Teddy Bridgewater proved that he is an elite quarterback. Making big throws to convert first downs, Bridgewater gave the Cards a huge touchdown when he found high school teammate Eli Rogers in the middle of the end zone for an 11-yard score, making it 27-25.

“There was no need to panic; there were three minutes left,” said Bridgewater. “I’m just one of those guys who is afraid of losing, so I was going to do whatever it took to get the team in the end zone.”

After a holding penalty on Preston Brown, USF found new life with a fresh set of downs at the 40-yard line. Time had become a major factor, though, and USF found themselves in trouble. With two seconds remaining, they took one last shot at the end zone. Daniels threw the ball deep towards the Cardinal end zone but this jump ball belonged to the Cards. Adrian Bushell came down with the interception, sealing the game for the Cards, 27-25.

It was a hard fought game, and with Louisville’s conservative second half offense, it looked like the Cards would be defeated at home. But instead, Louisville found themselves 2-0 in the Big East and 7-0 overall. Louisville will play their next game this Friday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium with an 8:00 p.m. kickoff time. The game will be televised on ESPN.

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Photos: Tricia Stern/The Louisville Cardinal