In a stunning turn of events, the Louisville Cardinals, led by head coach Jeff Brohm, pulled off a monumental upset against the No. 2 ranked Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Cardinals, who entered the game as 13 1/2-point underdogs, managed to secure a 24-21 victory. This result shakes up the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the College Football Playoff picture.
Brohm’s tactical approach stood out, while Miami’s game plan and execution left a lot to be desired. It’s hard to ignore how Louisville’s creative strategies and Miami’s costly mistakes shaped this wild game.
Louisville’s Strong Start and Tactical Mastery
The Cardinals wasted no time asserting themselves, jumping out to a 14-0 lead with just over five minutes left in the first quarter.
Right away, Brohm made his intentions clear. He called a fake field goal on fourth down during the opening drive, and that gamble paid off when Miller Moss plunged in for the first touchdown.
Brohm’s Unique Offensive Schemes
Brohm’s game plan was full of surprises. Louisville mixed up formations and threw looks at Miami that kept their defense guessing.
- Multiple Players at Quarterback: On the opening series, three different Cardinals lined up at quarterback, including a receiver. It opened up running lanes and gave Miami fits.
- Effective Ground Game: Louisville outgained Miami on the ground, piling up 119 yards compared to Miami’s 63.
- Passing Efficiency: Miller Moss completed 23 of 37 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked just once.
Miami’s Struggles and Key Mistakes
On the other side, Miami just couldn’t get out of its own way. Carson Beck, who came in as the Heisman front-runner, struggled badly and threw four interceptions.
It’s the fourth time since the start of 2024 that Beck has had at least three picks in a game. That’s not the kind of consistency you want from your star quarterback.
Penalties and Poor Execution
Miami’s problems weren’t just limited to turnovers. Penalties and shaky execution piled up fast.
- Penalties: Miami, already one of the most penalized teams in college football, was flagged nine times for 68 yards. Three of those were false starts on offense—hard to watch, honestly.
- Inconsistent Ground Game: The Hurricanes scraped together only 63 rushing yards. Louisville’s defensive front just shut them down.
- Failed Opportunities: Beck forced passes into triple coverage and took risky deep shots that turned into turnovers. For a guy with his stats, it was a rough outing.
Clutch Plays and Dramatic Finish
The final minutes were tense. With Louisville up 24-13 and under eight minutes to play, a fumble by Cards tailback Isaac Brown gave Miami a shot.
Freshman Malachi Toney made it count, scoring on a 12-yard end around. A successful two-point conversion cut Louisville’s lead to three.
Defensive Heroics
Even with Miami surging late, Louisville’s defense stepped up when it mattered most.
- Interceptions: T.J. Capers, a South Florida native, sealed it for Louisville with a clutch interception on a deflected pass, ending Miami’s final drive.
- Key Stops: The Cardinals forced Miami into multiple turnovers. Those four picks by Beck really made the difference.
Implications for the ACC and College Football Playoff
This win could mean a lot for both teams and the ACC overall. Louisville now sits at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while Miami drops to 5-1 and 1-1 in the ACC.
For Miami, things get tricky. They don’t control their own path to the ACC title game anymore. With Virginia and Georgia Tech still undefeated in ACC play and not facing each other or Miami, the Hurricanes will need some help from other teams to have a shot at the title.
Brohm’s Growing Legacy
Jeff Brohm’s reputation at Louisville keeps growing. With this win, he moves to 4-2 against Associated Press top-five teams.
Brohm’s knack for bold, game-changing decisions is turning heads. He’s quickly building a legacy as one of college football’s top coaches, and honestly, it’s tough not to be impressed.
Louisville’s 24-21 upset over Miami really showed off Jeff Brohm’s knack for strategy. The Cardinals pulled off a gritty win that probably surprised more than a few folks watching.
College football’s wild, isn’t it? Underdogs like Louisville sometimes just find a way to make things happen. If you want all the details, the full breakdown’s over at The Athletic.
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