After putting up 62 points against Syracuse last week, critics still questioned Louisville’s soft non-conference schedule.
But that talk can finally be put to rest now as the Cardinals one-upped last week’s performance by putting up 63 points against No. 2 Florida State.
Billed as a Top 10 showdown, it looked anything but as Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson had his way early and often Saturday afternoon in a 63-20 victory over the Seminoles.
The sophomore quarterback ran for a game-high 146 yards and four touchdowns and also passed for 216 yards and a score. The cherry on top came on his 47-yard touchdown run at the start of the fourth quarter to put Louisville up 56-10.
Ladies and gentlemen…Lamar Jackson!#Louisvillepic.twitter.com/5Kgi2KT4ll
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) September 17, 2016
It was Louisville’s first-ever win against a Top 2 team, and the loss was the worst in Florida State’s 24-year ACC history.
After going up 35-10 at the half, the Cardinals weren’t pounding their chests just yet after blowing big leads against the the Seminoles in the past. Florida State rallied from 21 points down against Louisville in 2014 and just this year, the Seminoles rallied from a 22-point deficit against Ole Miss in the season opener.
But there was no comeback this time.
As good as Jackson was, it was the Louisville defense that made headlines. The Cardinals had nine sacks on the day and made sure the Florida State offense could never get in rhythm.
The Seminoles managed just 284 yards of total offense, with more than 100 of those yards coming in garbage time. Dalvin Cook, who came into the season as a Heisman contender, had just 54 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Deondre Francois, who looked like a senior in the comeback victory against Ole Miss, showed his freshman colors as he completed seven of 18 passes for 101 yards and an interception.
With the win, Louisville is now in the playoff conversation as well as Jackson putting his name at the forefront of the Heisman trophy race.
Muhammad Ali Tribute: Louisville paid respect to late heavyweight champion and hometown hero Muhammad Ali in numerous ways. The Cardinals’ red chrome helmets featured a white butterfly sticker with “Ali” in the middle. The school also presented the family with a framed No. 75 jersey honoring his service that he did in the community.
Next Opponents
Louisville: The Cardinals will take on Marshall and look to end a four-game losing streak against the Thundering Herd.
Florida State: The Seminoles stay on the road and will visit South Florida.
