Jackson rescues No. 5 Louisville at Virginia, 32-25

Down 17-14, the Cardinals reeled off 18 points in the final period, dashing an absolutely wonderful go-ahead drive by the Cavaliers that included two fourth-down conversions and a two-point conversion, which was followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Louisville.

UVa coach Bronco Mendenhall said there was nothing his corner could have done any better. “I do like seeing those guys because I don’t see them until we’re on the sideline when we’re in the spread (offense with no huddle)”. Combined with his explosive playmaking ability as both a passer and runner, it will be interesting to see how the National Football League views him as a prospect next season. The sophomore began the final drive with an 18-yard run.

The Louisville Cardinals (6-1) outlasted the NC State Wolfpack, 54-13, last week.

Quarterback Kurt Benkert and Doni Dowling hooked up from nine yards out to regain the lead for the Cavaliers late in the first quarter. “It’s fun being the quarterback and the leader of the team”. The seven points that the Cardinals scored were the fewest they scored in any half this season.

“We knew it was win or go home”, Jackson said. Louisville clung to a 10-7 lead against the Blue Devils after 30 minutes; today, same score at the half, only it was Virginia that was clinging to the lead. “We get to play football again next week and we the chance to get better”. Coach Bobby Petrino said he thinks the Cards’ defense, which played without starting outside linebacker Devonte Fields (injury), may have gotten worn out late in the game.

Turns out, that was plenty of time for Jackson.

With No. 5 Louisville on the cusp of suffering a stunning upset, Heisman front-runner Lamar Jackson did what he does best: Play hero.

“I wanted to win, and I didn’t want to go to overtime”, Mendenhall said. “Right now we’re just trusting the process”.

A 32-yard Blanton Creque field goal pushed the lead to 24-17 with 8:09 to go.

Intercepted once. Chased up and down and all around Scott Stadium by the University of Virginia defense. MI spread the ball around well on the ground too, including De’Veon Smith (2 TDs), Eddie McDoom and even Jabrill Peppers (1 TD, and one two-point conversion fumble returned for two MI points).

Louisville got the ball with 1:57 left in the game with Virginia ahead 25-24 and on the verge of an upset. “If you get out of the element and let the crowd get to you, and let the defense harass you, you’re not going to be able to play the game”. On the ground, Taquan Mizzell rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown in 19 attempts while Albert Reid had 20 yards in 10 attempts. Benkert recorded three touchdowns and 238 yards on the day.

“It was great coverage”, Mendenhall said.

However, it wasn’t long before heartbreak ensued for the Cavaliers.

Lamar Jackson floated a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Smith with 13 seconds remaining, and No.5 Louisville survived a frenetic finish to beat Virginia 32-25 on Saturday. He is the team, and he’s the reason they found a way to win at all. We made a lot of mistakes, a lot of critical mistakes.