Louisville aimed to achieve several goals this season. Even though recent challenges had taken them out of the ACC title race, they celebrated their first victory over No. 11 Clemson on Saturday night.
Isaac Brown rushed for a career-best 151 yards and scored a crucial touchdown in the fourth quarter, while quarterback Tyler Shough made a somersault into the end zone to secure the lead in their 33-21 win, ending an 0-8 record against the Tigers.
“I think it’s special,” said defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte, a senior who had lost to Clemson twice. “I think the guys had been waiting for this. I think it feels good to have that stamp, to make our mark on history.”
The way the Cardinals (6-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) played made the victory feel comfortable.
Brown and Shough handled the offense effectively, while Louisville’s defense stopped the Tigers on downs deep in their territory, blocked two field goals, and recovered both onside kicks after Clemson’s last-ditch effort in the fourth quarter.
“Our players and coaches fought all week,” said Louisville coach Jeff Brohm. “It hasn’t been perfect, it hasn’t been easy, but we continued to grind. We have guys that continue to step up and play hard.”
These traits were what Brohm hoped would help lead Louisville back to the ACC title game, where they lost to Florida State last year, and perhaps even into the College Football Playoff.
After starting with three wins, the Cardinals dropped three of their next five games, putting them out of the title race. This win showed they still have much to strive for.
“To come on the road in this environment against a really good team that was hot,” Brohm said about playing in Clemson. “We made plays, we played tempo, we got stops, we were sound in our defensive play, just a lot of things.”
One of those standout players was Brown, a freshman who has now rushed for over 100 yards in four games. He has 847 yards this season and is close to breaking the school record for freshmen set by Heisman Trophy winner and two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who had 960 yards in 2015.
When the Tigers cut the score to 26-14 in the fourth quarter, Brown dashed hopes for a comeback with a 45-yard touchdown run.
Shough, the quarterback for the Cardinals, gave them the lead in the second quarter with a 4-yard run, ending with a somersault into the end zone for a 10-7 advantage.
Brock Travelstead matched his career high with four field goals, helping Louisville secure a spot in a bowl game.
The Cardinals also significantly affected Clemson’s chances of competing for an ACC title and making the College Football Playoff. The Tigers (6-2, 5-1) were one of four undefeated ACC teams at the start of the week, but now need help as the season winds down.
“We don’t control our destiny anymore, which is really sad,” Clemson safety R.J. Mickens said. “But we’re craftsmen; this is our job, this is what we do. I feel like guys are going to show up and be their best no matter what our record is.”
Travelstead, who was 9 of 15 on field goals this season, successfully kicked from 21, 42, 40, and 49 yards to tie his career high, which he had achieved twice last season.
Clemson running back Phil Mafah gained 171 yards and scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
“We did not play our best game tonight, and we did not deserve to win,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We looked like a very poorly coached team tonight. That’s on me.”
