Two plays later L.J. Scott bounced into the end zone for 2-yard touchdown, pushing the Cardinals ahead 31-24 with only 8:30 left in the game.
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Essentially, that has been the formula for Bobby Petrino’s team at the University of Louisville football team this season.
Starting quarterback Kyle Bolin blamed himself for Quick’s lack of offensive production, saying he missed him a couple times he was open, but he credited Quick for keeping a positive attitude, focusing only on winning and coming up with the big forced fumble.
Virginia, which shot 34 percent from the floor in the first half, made 67 percent of its field goal attempts in the second half. It was a very well-punted ball, and James was just going as hard as he possibly could go. “When you go hard and you play fast, good things happen”.
Virginia coach Mike London thought Quick’s play should have drawn a flag because in London’s mind, Zaccheaus was a defenseless player in that position.
DON’T THROW HERE: Sophomore cornerback Trumaine Washington earned ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors following a career-best 12 tackles, a sack and a game-changing 39-yard interception return for a touchdown against Syracuse.
With the ever-shifting momentum in its corner with close to 9:00 to go, however, Cavalier freshman Olamide Zaccheaus juggled the punt catch and got drilled by James Quick mid-bobble.
Brandon Radcliff’s 36-yard touchdown run capped a 96-yard drive with 2:57 left for a 38-24 lead.
Not any more. Radcliff rolled to 146 yards on 21 carries, scoring a pair of touchdowns.
Including last season’s appearance in the Belk Bowl and run to the Elite Eight in men’s basketball, Louisville has qualified for a bowl game and earned an NCAA men’s basketball tournament appearance for the fifth-straight season, behind Wisconsin’s streak of 13 years, MI State’s eight years and San Diego State, who is tied with Louisville with five straight.
“It’s not too much to get people to buy in, and when we all buy in, we’re deadly, ” Perrantes said. But Virginia stormed right back, quickly moving 75 yards and closing the gap to 38-31 on Canaan Severin’s 16-yard touchdown reception, his third of the afternoon, at the 1:16 mark.
The Cavaliers recovered the ensuing onside kick to give themselves a chance to tie or win the game, but were penalized for an illegal formation. The Cardinals will be looking to avenge a 23-21 loss at Virginia a year ago that snapped the Cavaliers’ 10-game slide against FBS opponents. Louisville assured that for 2015 with a 38-31 win in the Hoos’ final trip of the year.
The Cardinals will say goodbye to a 13-person senior class that has been one of the best in school history posting a record of 37-11, including an 11-win season in 2012 and 12 wins in 2013.
Another week and another close outcome involving Virginia. The Cavaliers have lost four of those games.
Johns completed 25-of-41 passes for 260 yards. Bolin found wide receiver Jaylen Smith and tight end Keith Towbridge for receptions of more than 20 yards to spark the drive.
Matt Johns threw a career-high four touchdown passes against the Cardinals.
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Running back Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell caught nine passes for 89 yards and rushed 14 times for 40 yards.
