Coverage from the game:
Louisville football players, program need to start signing contracts ASAP | C.L. Brown
Louisville football uses big third quarter, late stop to eclipse Washington in Sun Bowl
Coverage during the game:
EL PASO, Texas — Louisville football will look to close its 2024 season with a win over Washington when the teams play today in the Sun Bowl. It is the first meeting in program history.
The Cardinals won their last two regular-season contests in 2024 and have a chance to reverse last season’s three-game losing streak that capped 2023. If they do, it would be the second time since 2016 that the program has reached nine wins. The Cardinals went 10-4 last year to start Jeff Brohm’s head coaching tenure with the program.
Louisville will have to do it without at least three starters. Quarterback Tyler Shough, wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks and defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Brohm acknowledged the player absences, which also includes those who have entered the transfer portal, and sees the bowl as an opportunity for new faces to deliver.
“We’ve been able to, at least the last two games (of) the regular season, play some pretty good football and do a pretty good job with improving on our mistakes and playing a complete game,” he said. “We’ll have some new leadership, some key positions that will need to step up, but that’s why you play the game. These guys have worked hard to get their opportunity to get on the field. They will now get it in a great bowl setting against a really good opponent, and they’ll get to see exactly how they stack up and measure up.”
After Demond Williams’ 1-yard TD pass to Giles Jackson, Antonio Watts broke up the 2-point try to preserve the Cardinals’ lead.
Another Demond Williams-Giles Jackson connection, good for 31 yards this time, gets the Huskies within striking distance of the Cardinals. Washington took six minutes off the clock during the 13-play, 97-yard drive.
Caullin Lacy runs around the right edge to score an 8-yard TD, adding to the Cardinals’ lead. It was set up by Duke Watson’s 54-yard run down the sideline.
The Cardinals regain the lead on Harrison Bailey’s 21-yard TD pass to Nate Kurisky.
Demond Williams eludes a couple defenders and ties the game on a 7-yard run. The combined 42 points are the second-most in a first half in Sun Bowl history.
Harrison Bailey finds Antonio Meeks for a 28-yard touchdown to put the Cardinals back in front. They’re now 4-for-8 on third down conversions after that.
After the Huskies’ defense forces a turnover on downs, a wide-open Giles Jackson catches a 49-yard touchdown pass from Demond Williams to tie the game.
Harrison Bailey has his first TD pass of the season via a 9-yard throw to Caullin Lacy. The score ended a five-play, 32-yard drive.
The Huskies tie the game with Demond Williams’ 40-yard pass to Giles Jackson. Washington also picked up its first, first down of the game during the three-play, 57-yard drive.
Tahveon Nicholson gets the Cards on the board with a 21-yard pick-six. The Huskies were facing third-and-12 from their 20-yard line when he intercepted Demond Williams’ pass.
Caullin Lacy will start against Washington after redshirting midway through the season. The South Alabama transfer missed the first three games of the 2024 season with a broken collarbone sustained during fall camp. He then returned early and debuted against Notre Dame. But after four games, Lacy opted to redshirt, preserving his final year of eligibility. He’ll have one final game of the season today.
Louisville vs. Washington will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson will call the game from the booth at Sun Bowl Stadium, with Jenny Dell reporting from the sideline.
Louisville 28, Washington 21. The Cardinals having key players opt out of the bowl game will play a significant role in the outcome. But U of L will have enough in the cupboard to still win the game.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of today:
The high is 71 degrees, with partly cloudy skies.
*ACC game
*Big Ten game
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Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit atacubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
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