By Sam Draut–

On the final home game of the year and with bowl eligibility at stake, Louisville outlasted Virginia 38-31 Saturday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

After starting the season 0-3, Louisville has won six of their last seven games and is 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the ACC. The Cardinals played a back and forth game with the Cavaliers (3-7), but put the game away in the final few minutes of the fourth quarter.

Redemption: With the game tied 24-24 with under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Josh Appleby sent a punt deep to Virginia punt returner Olamide Zaccheaus. Punt coverage gunner James Quick drilled Zaccheaus and forced a fumble, Louisville recovered and set up shop on the two yard line. Two plays later, L.J. Scott scored from one yard to give Louisville a 31-24 lead with 8:30 left in the fourth quarter. Last year, with Louisville leading 21-20 late in the fourth quarter, Quick muffed a fumbled that led to the eventual game winning field goal for Virginia. This time, the junior wide receiver turned the tables and redeemed himself.

“He likes playing on special teams,” Petrino said. “Those are big plays that he makes.”

Ground gains: After running the ball well last week, Louisville relied on the running game once again. The Cardinals rushed for 266 yards on 37 carries, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Brandon Radcliff rushed for 146 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns.  It is the junior’s second consecutive week rushing for 100 yards and the Cardinal offense’s second week in a row that it rushed for more than 200 yards. Radcliff put the game out of the reach after a 36-yard touchdown with 2:57 left in the fourth quarter that put Louisville up 38-24.

“This offense is getting on a roll and we just feel comfortable and that’s the biggest thing out here in football,” Radcliff said.

Radcliff had 263 rushing yards through his first eight games this season, but reached that exact total over the past two games while averaging 8.5 yards per carry.

QB1: Kyle Bolin made his second consecutive start, completing 10 of 21 passes for 139 yards. The redshirt-sophomore had one touchdown pass and no interceptions. Bolin lost two fumbles, one in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter. Bolin’s second fumble set up Virginia’s game tying touchdown with 10:14 left in the fourth quarter. Bolin struggled throwing the ball throughout the game, but he directed a strong rushing attack that churned out the victory.

“He is a great competitor, he is a great leader and I think his leadership has really helped us,” Petrino said. “He is tough.”

Senior Day: Louisville honored 13 seniors and three other four-year players before the game. Seniors James Burgess, Sheldon Rankins, Josh Appleby, John Wallace, Corvin Lamb and Jermaine Reve all played and contributed on Louisville’s 2011-12 Sugar Bowl team.

“I’m happy for our seniors. That is really what this game was about, to find a way to have our seniors win their last game that they get to play in Papa John’s,” Petrino said. “They have done a lot for this football program. I can’t tell you how much they have helped when things didn’t go well to start the season, their attitude, their work ethic, their leadership, it kept us all together and kept guys working and going in the right direction.”

After half: Tied 17-17 at halftime, Louisville opened up the second half with a strong six-play, 73-yard drive. Brandon Radcliff capped off the drive a with a nine yard rushing touchdown. Bolin found wide receiver Jaylen Smith and tight end Keith Towbridge for receptions of more than 20 yards to spark the drive.

Hikutini hurdles: The Cardinals second touchdown drive was capped off by a few highlight reel plays by tight-end Cole Hikutini. The junior caught a 17-yard pass and hurdled a Virginia defender to set Louisville up just outside of the red zone. One play later, Bolin found Hikutini in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown pass. The score gave Louisville a 17-14 lead with 6:47 left in the second quarter.

“I just saw him in front of me, most defenders try to go for my legs because I am a tight end so I just jumped over him,” Hikutini said.

Three-headed monster: Louisville’s first touchdown drive featured three different quarterbacks, all playing different roles. Bolin opened the drive, but faced a 3rd and 2 on the 35 yard line. Lamar Jackson entered and ran a zone-read option for a 45 yard gain. On the next play, Bolin pitched the ball to Reggie Bonnafon who passed to Jaylen Smith for a 20-yard touchdown.

What it means: Since 1980, only 21 teams have gone to a bowl game after starting the season 0-3. With plenty of ACC bowl tie ins, Louisville is nearly assured of postseason play, but also has two games left to strengthen their resume. Louisville will finish the season in sole possession of third place in the ACC Atlantic Division for the second consecutive season.

What’s next: Louisville hits the road for their final ACC game of the year against Pittsburgh on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh is 7-3 overall and 5-1 in the ACC.