Jeff Brohm's Cards top Clemson for the first time

CLEMSON, S.C. – In the valley (of the shadow) of death, Louisville football feared no evil. Or eighth-ranked Clemson.

The Cardinals didn't lack confidence, and it showed. For the first time in program history, Louisville defeated Clemson 33-21 on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium – also known as Death Valley.

It is the third straight year Louisville has beaten a top-10 opponent, following wins over No. 10 Wake Forest in 2022 and No. 10 Notre Dame in 2023. Both games took place at L&N Stadium.

U of L (6-3, 4-2 ACC) did something no other Cards team has done, although they came close. A team led by Lamar Jackson failed in a thriller in Death Valley in 2016. And if Malik Cunningham hadn't gotten injured at home in 2021, these Cardinals might have taken the first hit.

But a Louisville team with renewed confidence got the job done on the road, adding another historic moment to Jeff Brohm's tenure. For the bowl-eligible Cardinals, the loss hurt Clemson's chances of reaching the ACC Championship Game. Only SMU and Miami remain undefeated in conference play.

After being shut out in the second and third quarters, Clemson attempted a comeback by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter. After both touchdowns – scored by running back Phil Mafah – Louisville recovered every onside kick to prevent Clemson's comeback attempt.

Earlier this week, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said Louisville's offense was the best his team had seen since Georgia. At the end of the evening, both teams had shared a win over Clemson (6-2, 5-1).

In fact, Louisville's offense marked Isaac Brown's fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season. According to Louisville statistician Kelly Dickey, in 2003, Michael Bush was the only other true freshman to record multiple 100-yard rushing performances. He only had two.

Brown surpassed 100 yards rushing early in the second half and finished his career with 151 yards. That included a 45-yard touchdown that gave Louisville a 33-14 lead late in the fourth quarter.

But as talented and versatile as Louisville's offense was, special teams made the difference. Kicker Brock Travelstead made four field goals to pace the Cardinals' score.

Travelstead started with a miss from 40 yards. He then made four straight field goals, including a mulligan in the third quarter. His 40-yard field goal at 6:47 of the frame gave U of L a 23-7 lead.

TJ Quinn and D'Angelo Hutchinson each had a blocked field goal.

The Cardinals' defense also played a part in this. After struggling significantly all year, it delivered one of its best performances early in Week 10 against a Clemson offense that was ranked fifth nationally. Linebacker Stanquan Clark led the team with a career-high 12 tackles.

The group did it without Ben Perry, who was injured with 1:47 left in the first quarter. The linebacker/safety fell to the ground and lay on the ground for several minutes before being taken to the sideline in a neck brace. He was later taken to hospital for further examination.

Louisville's secondary was crucial in limiting the Tigers' big plays, helping Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik average 5.2 yards per completion. The Cardinals had a total of nine pass breakups, with cornerback Tayon Holloway and Hutchinson having two each. Midway through the fourth quarter, fellow cornerback Quincy Riley added his own, preventing Clemson wide receiver Troy Stellato from making a potential touchdown catch.

As the Clemson crowd began to disperse toward the end of the fourth quarter, a small group of Louisville fans remained in a corner of the south end zone to watch the Cardinals celebrate in Death Valley.

Louisville will go into farewell with its head held high, knowing that history was made in South Carolina.

This story will be updated.

Reach out to Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.

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