University of Louisville
UCF
UCF Upsets No. 8 Cardinals, 38-35
October 19, 2013 | Football
Oct. 18, 2013
 | Louisville, Ky. (Papa John's Cardinal Stadium) Att: 55,215 |  | |||||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | F | |||
| UCF | 0 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 38 | ||
| Louisville | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 | ||
PDF Box | Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 1  | Photo Gallery 2 | |||||||
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Dominique Brown's 15-yard run with three minutes to go put Louisville on top, but the Knights subsequently drove 75 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown to stun the Cardinals and end their perfect run.
"You can't live in misery or live in a loss," quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said after the Cardinals' first loss since November to Connecticut. "We are the type of team that has mature guys and I am pretty sure our guys are switching their focus to South Florida. One loss doesn't determine the whole season."
Down 28-7 midway through the third quarter, the Knights (5-2, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) scored three touchdowns in a 7:22 span to tie the game. Storm Johnson had a 1-yard TD run and a 20-yard reception for another score, and William Stanback ran 12 yards for the tying TD.
UCF then went in front on Shawn Moffitt's 34-yard field goal with 7:36 remaining.
Louisville (6-1, 2-1) reclaimed the lead on Brown's touchdown run but the Knights fought to take the lead for good.
"What can you say? It was a heck of a game," Knights coach George O'Leary said. "Both teams played their hearts out. That was a great drive and it was a great win in a tough environment.
"Obviously, it's a big win. It's a big win because of the conference. We had great effort and great execution. ... We could have hung our heads, but we got after it."
| POSTGAME VIDEO Strong | Bridgewater | E. Rogers | H. Smith |
Bridgewater made one last desperate heave into the end zone as time expired, but the Heisman Trophy contender was unable to find anyone. The Knights then rushed the field in jubilation as a small gathering of fans in one section chanted "UCF, UCF!"
Knights quarterback Blake Bortles finished 21-of-32 passing for 250 yards and two touchdowns while Johnson rushed for 109 yards and a TD on 18 carries, leading a spirited comeback during which the Knights outgained the Cardinals 269-210 in the second half to finish with a 446-445 edge.
It was Central Florida's second win over a ranked team in 27 attempts. It also came in the lone conference meeting between the schools; The Cardinals are headed to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.
Struggling against a defense that entered the night allowing a nation-best 7.3 points per game, UCF eventually found room to run when Johnson started to cut and bounce his way to extra yardage.
Bortles chipped in with crisp passing, especially on the 20-yard pass to Johnson following a fumble recovery on the Cardinals 15.
The combination of Johnson and Bortles ruined Louisville's homecoming and its 100th game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium before a crowd of 55,215.
Bridgewater finished 29-of-38 passing for 341 yards and two touchdowns. He welcomed back top receiver DeVante Parker from a shoulder injury, connecting for a 29-yard pass on Louisville's opening drive.
Bridgewater also went to former high school teammate Eli Rogers, who caught five passes for 44 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown that gave Louisville a 7-0 lead.
Ryan Hubbell's fumble that hit the pylon for a touchback and a punt on the next drive prevented the Cardinals from expanding the lead, and UCF scored on its fifth possession.
Johnson's 23-yard reception helped prolong the 71-yard drive, but Stanback's recovery of Rannell Hall's fumble at the 4 turned out to be the key play. Stanback scored on the next play.
Louisville responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive ending with Bridgewater's 10-yard TD pass to Parker in double coverage just before halftime. The Cardinals then emerged from the locker room to drive 75 yards for a 21-7 lead on Dominique Brown's 20-yard touchdown run up the middle.
