Cards take the Keg, beat Bearcats, 34-31 OT

The Cards are 8-0 and have a Keg of Nails to go along with that perfect record. Friday night the Cards used two fourth quarter touchdowns and an overtime field goal to edge the Cincinnati Bearcats 34-31.

All season for the Cardinals it has been the play of Teddy Bridgewater that has carried this team, however Friday the defense was up for the challenge too.

The defense gave up 197 yards rushing, not a huge surprise, but as expected shut down the Bearcats aerial attack. Cincinnati had 157 yards through the air and Louisville took away three interceptions, including one in overtime. The Cards were also strong on third down as the Bearcats QB Munchie Legaux threw incomplete on a number of tries and wound up just 5-for-15 on conversions.

The Cards were not much better on third down but made up for it with a number of big plays, especially late.

Bridgewater threw for 416 yards on the night and connected with DeVante Parker twice in the fourth quarter for touchdowns. The first fourth quarter TD going for 30 yards and the second a 64 yard catch and run to take a late lead.

Teddy Bridgewater threw for 416 yards as the Cards moved to 8-0 and grabbed the Keg of Nails back from the Bearcats.

Parker had 120 yards receiving on four catches, his second conference game with over 100 yards receiving this season.

With the rain coming down all night it was great to see Bridgewater and the Cards succeed in the air. Damian Copeland was just shy of 100 yards receiving with 96 and also came up with big plays in the second half.

The Cards running game was slowed by the Cincinnati defense, but Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry combined for 110 yards rushing and each of the Louisville backs got into the end zone.

There are still a number of improvements that the Cards need to make, most importantly on special teams. Their kick return and punt return game leaves quite a bit to be desired and they need to a better job all around in the field position game.

The Cards and Bearcats time of possession and penalties were even, but the Cards found a way to win. This team has continued to prove that they can win games late and have found different ways to do it week in and week out.

UofL is 8-0 for the third time in school history. Four games remain, two at home and two on the road. A win against Cincinnati is huge, but there is still work to be done.

Four games left. Enjoy this one and here we go; the train rolls on…