No. 10 Cardinals Clinch Spot in ACC Championship with Win Over Miami

Saturday, November 18

Coral Gables, FL

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University of Louisville

Miami

No. 10 Cardinals Clinch Spot in ACC Championship with Win Over Miami

November 18, 2023 | Football

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Louisville notches seventh 10-win season in program history

By: Trey Curry

MIAMI, Fla. – The University of Louisvile football team clinched a spot in the ACC Championship with a 38-31 win over Miami on Saturday afternoon inside Hard Rock Stadium.

The Cardinals move to 10-1 overall and 7-1 in the ACC as Louisville totaled 470 total yards of offense in the game, with 308 in the air and 162 on the ground.

Jack Plummer went 24-37 for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day, while Isaac Guerendo led the ground attack with 93 yards and a score on 15 carries. Devin Neal and Cam'Ron Kelly anchored the defense with 15 tackles between the two.

Each team tallied two touchdowns in the first quarter, as Plummer connected with Nate Kurisky for a score followed by Guerendo running one in for the Cards.

The two teams traded a touchdown each in the second quarter, with offensive lineman Trevonte Sylvester catching a one-yard touchdown right before halftime. The extra point was blocked, resulting in the Cardinals going into the break down 21-20.

Coming out, Louisville drove down for Nick Lopez's first field goal as a Cardinal, but the Hurricanes would score another touchdown midway through the third quarter to take a 28-23 lead into the final frame.

After Evan Conley ran a touchdown in early in the fourth quarter, Miami hit a 51-yard field goal to tie the game at 31. Soon after, Plummer hit Kevin Coleman for a 58-yard score down the sideline that ultimately clinched the 38-31 win for the Cardinals.

Louisville Head Coach Jeff Brohm Said:
"First, I'm really proud of our football team and coaches. I thought we had a really great showing with our fans being out here and supporting us in this game and I know we had a great showing back home watching. This was a big win. Coming down to Miami and winning a game with a lot riding on it is a great feeling. We wanted to go into the ACC Championship game with a win and we wanted it decided that way. We worked hard this week to get it done. Our guys got refreshed over the break and they had a good week of practice which resulted in us making a lot of good plays to win. It wasn't a perfect game, but to see our guys fight back and do a lot of different things to help us score, get points, and get momentum was great to see. A lot of guys stepped up and made plays, so it's just a great feeling to come down and beat Miami. I'm really proud of our football team."

How It Happened
First Quarter
08:02 – UL | Jack Plummer rolled left and found Nate Kurisky in the end zone for a two-yard score on Louisville's opening drive. 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:50. Louisville 7, Miami 0
06:07 – UM | Mark Fletcher, Jr. rushed for a 21-yard touchdown. 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:56. Louisville 7, Miami 7
03:17 – UM | Tyler Van Dyke and Xavier Restrepo connected for a 15-yard touchdown pass. 4 plays, 50 yards, 1:32. Miami 14, Louisville 7
00:18 – UL | Isaac Guerendo rushed for a 12-yard score, his fifth touchdown in the last three games. 5 plays, 45 yards, 2:49. Louisville 14, Miami 14

Second Quarter
07:42 – UM | Brashard Smith took a reverse around the right side 34 yards for a touchdown. 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:39. Miami 21, Louisville 14
00:08 – UL | Trevonte Sylvester caught a one-yard touchdown, his first career catch. The extra point was blocked. 11 plays, 77 yards, 2:08. Miami 21, Louisville 20

Third Quarter
11:28 – UL | Nick Lopez hit from 40 yards, his first field goal in a Louisville uniform. 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:27. Louisville 23, Miami 21
05:48 – UM | Mark Fletcher, Jr. scored from one yard out to give Miami the lead back. 3 plays, 55 yards, 1:15. Miami 28, Louisville 23

Fourth Quarter
11:02 – UL | Evan Conley took the snap and ran up the middle for a five-yard touchdown. Jack Plummer and Jamari Thrash teamed up for the two-point conversion. 11 plays, 89 yards, 4:54. Louisville 31, Miami 28
05:34 – UM | Andres Borregales hit from 51 yards out to tie the game. 11 plays, 42 yards, 5:28. Louisville 31, Miami 31
04:17 – UL | Kevin Coleman takes a short catch 58 yards down the sideline for the score. 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:17. Louisville 38, Miami 31

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