Louisville Beats SMU 41-31 in ACC Clash
Louisville Beats SMU 41-31 in ACC Clash
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Key Points
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The game featured eight lead changes before Louisville took control late, with Isaac Brown’s 27-yard touchdown run with 5:32 remaining providing the final decisive score.
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Despite losing, SMU produced more total offense than Louisville—479 yards to 442—ran 20 more plays and held the ball nearly four minutes longer; its failures were concentrated in turnovers and fourth-down execution.
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The victory marked Louisville’s fifth win over a ranked opponent in four seasons under coach Jeff Brohm, according to the Associated Press account.
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The win reversed Louisville’s recent struggles against SMU: before Saturday, the Cardinals were 0-4 all-time against the Mustangs and had never led in any of those games. SMU had also won the teams’ previous two meetings, including a 38-6 victory in Dallas the prior season.
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The result ended an especially strong opening stretch for SMU, which had entered the matchup unbeaten after victories over Florida State and UC Davis.
No. 23 Louisville ended a winless streak against SMU with a 41-31 victory, handing the No. 16 Mustangs their first loss of the season nbcdfw. Keyjuan Brown rushed for a career-high 163 yards and two long touchdowns, while the Cardinals scored 27 points in the second half to break away from eight lead changes nbcdfw. The win improves Louisville to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, snapping the program's 0-4 all-time record against SMU CardChronicle.
SMU's strong offense proved insufficient despite Kendrick Raphael running for a career-best 197 yards and three touchdowns d210tv. The Mustangs committed three turnovers and failed twice on fourth down, including a crucial late fumble by Kevin Jennings near the goal line that sealed the defeat d210tv. Louisville's victory reverses recent dominance by SMU, which had defeated the Cardinals 38-6 the prior season and won their previous two meetings CardChronicle.
Second-Half Surge Powered Louisville's Comeback
Louisville trailed or tied for most of the first half but dominated after intermission. Isaac Brown's 27-yard touchdown run with 5:32 remaining provided the final decisive score nbcdfw. The Cardinals' running game controlled the tempo in the second half, with Brown and fellow back Keyjuan Brown combining to wear down SMU's defense and create separation in what had been a closely contested game 247sports.
SMU's Turnovers and Fourth-Down Struggles Proved Costly
Despite producing 479 total yards—37 more than Louisville—and running 20 additional plays, SMU could not convert when it mattered most d210tv. The Mustangs committed three turnovers, failed on both fourth-down attempts, and fumbled near Louisville's goal line in the final moments d210tv. These execution failures overshadowed Kendrick Raphael's outstanding 197-yard rushing performance and three touchdown runs.
Louisville Breaks Winless Streak Against Conference Rival
The Cardinals entered Saturday with an 0-4 all-time record against SMU and had never held a lead in any previous matchup CardChronicle. Louisville's 41-31 victory marks the program's first win over the Mustangs and represents a significant statement in ACC play. The win also extends Louisville's recent success under coach Jeff Brohm, marking the team's fifth ranked victory in four seasons CardChronicle.
SMU's Undefeated Start Comes to an End
SMU arrived unbeaten after impressive victories over Florida State and UC Davis, with momentum as a new ACC member CardChronicle. The loss drops the Mustangs to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in ACC play, ending an especially strong opening stretch. Louisville's defensive adjustments and offensive execution in the second half proved too much for SMU to overcome despite controlling the ball and accumulating more total yards.
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