Louisville, already bowl eligible and probably thinking this would be a walk in the park against a pretty poor Stanford team that came into the game 2-7 overall, just 1-5 in conference, and 124th nationally in total yards of offense—got caught in the end on a walk-off field goal after moving Stanford into position on back-to-back penalties with time expiring to lose it in Palo Alto, 38-35. Starting with the last few seconds of the third quarter the Cardinal scored back-to-back-to-back touchdowns and that game winning field goal while holding Louisville scoreless to surge ahead, take the lead, and win the game.
For Stanford, Junior QB Ashton Daniels connected on 22-of-33 for 298 yards, 3 TD’s, and one interception in addition to adding another 34 yards on the ground. Collectively with Freshman RB Cole Tab the two combined for 69 of the team’s 83 total yards rushing. Freshman WR Emmett Mosley V hauled in 13 passes for 168 yards and two of Daniels’ 3 TD’s with Sophomore WR Elic Ayomanor picking up the other. Backup Junior QB Justin Lamson also connected with Mosley on another score out of a wildcat formation late in the game. In spite of winning, the Stanford defense recorded no sacks, no tackles for loss, and just one pass disruption while Louisville was 6, 8, and 4 respectively in those categories.
The Cardinals Senior QB Tyler Shough was 26-of-39 for 270 yards, 1 TD to Junior WR Chris Bell, and 1 interception. Bell and Senior WR Ja’Corey Brooks combined for nine receptions each and 216 of Louisville’s 270 yard total. On the ground Freshman RB Duke Watson led the way with 117 of the team’s total 162 yards on 11 carries and 3 rushing TD’s. Junior RB Donald Chaney added 21 yards and another touchdown on six carries. The game stats were as close as the final score with Stanford edging Louisville out in first downs, 22-21; behind in total yards, 432-406; had 10 more minutes time-of-possession and no doubt benefited on those final four drives by some of the 12 Louisville penalties for 102 yards, including on the game winning drive in which Louisville committed an unsportsmanlike penalty to move Stanford on their opening play of that drive from their own 45 yard line to the Louisville 39 and then an offsides on the next play to move the ball to the 34 where with one second left Emmett Kenny hit a 52 yard field goal to win it for Stanford.