By
MIAMI – It took the Louisville Cardinal Football team three quarters to put a sizable lead on Wake Forest’s Demon Deacons to win the 2007 BCS FedEx Orange Bowl. Tied at 10-10 at the top of the fourth quarter, the Cardinal offense capitalized on two touchdowns and a field goal in the final 15 minutes of play, beating the Demon Deacons 24-13 in their first BCS game appearance.”We’ve been talking for a long time about finishing, and we’re certainly proud of the fact that we won the game in the fourth quarter,” U of L head coach Bobby Petrino said.The Cards-who averaged 39 points and ranked second in total offense this season-were uncharacteristically scoreless in the first and third quarters and only scored a field goal in the first half. Following a wide field goal miss by junior kicker Art Carmody, two lost fumbles and a dropped potential 62-yard touchdown pass by sophomore wide receiver Mario Urrutia, it looked as if the Cards weren’t going to pull through.The Demon Deacons had their equal share of mishaps though, keeping the score-and game-relatively tame until the fourth quarter. Wake Forest committed three turnovers in Cardinal territory and missed a 47-yard field goal attempt.But after trailing 13-10 at the top of the fourth quarter, Louisville drove 81 yards on eight plays, usurping the lead at 17-13 when freshman running back Anthony Allen put the ball in the end zone from the one-yard line.Allen scored two touchdowns, the first a trick play in the second quarter with under six minutes left in the half. Junior quarterback Brian Brohm threw a lateral pass to junior wide receiver Patrick Carter, who in turn threw for a 21-yard touchdown pass to Allen who ran it up the left side.”We’ve been working on it all year but I didn’t think we’d run it tonight. I couldn’t believe it when Coach signaled it into the huddle,” Carter said.”I thought the key was the way our offense got together on the sideline and said, ‘Let’s go win this game,'” Petrino said. “Our guys went out and we called it very aggressive.”Brohm anchored the helm for the Cardinal offense, earning MVP honors in the match as he completed 24-of-34 passes (9-of-11 in the fourth quarter) and totaling 311 yards. Brohm’s performance ranks third in Orange Bowl history, trailing Tom Brady’s 369 yards and Matt Leinart at 332.”Those guys are great quarterbacks and have done a great job playing the position, and just to be mentioned with those guy’s names is a special thing,” Brohm said.The No. 5 Cardinal team finished 12-1 on the season with the win, ensuring the highest final ranking in school history. Empty seats were rare as 74,470 fans packed into Dolphin Stadium to watch the Big East and ACC champions meet for the first time in school history.”It’s making us a national powerhouse by winning this game,” said Louisville receiver Harry Douglas, who caught 10 passes. The No. 15 Demon Deacons dropped to 11-3 on the season.”It’s another step into the right direction,” Brohm added. “We’ve been on the big stage now.”Brohm, who is debating whether to enter the draft [he has until Jan. 15 to declare], skirted the issue following the game. “It would be really hard to turn down [the NFL option]” Brohm said, mentioning that he still has to sit down and talk about his draft status and career options with his parents and Petrino.”I think the best thing for them to do is find out what their draft status is,” Petrino said of Brohm and senior running back Michael Bush. “I would love for them to come back.”
Other notes:* Mohammad Ali, Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade and golf legend Arnold Palmer served as honorary captains for the game. Ali wore the No. 19 Louisville jersey into the huddle-the same number the injured Michael Bush wears for the Cardinals.* In addition to American Idol winner Taylor Hicks and R&B legend Gladys Night, the halftime entertainment included a drum competition between the University of Louisville and Wake Forest marching bands. The verdict is still out on the winner.
