Louisville Triumphs Over Clemson with a 33-21 Victory
In a thrilling matchup at Memorial Stadium this Saturday, Louisville (6-3, 4-2 ACC) achieved a decisive 33-21 victory against No. 11/8 Clemson (6-2, 5-1 ACC). The Cardinals capitalized on five consecutive scoring drives to secure their win, putting them in a strong position within the ACC.
Star running back Phil Mafah showcased his talent, racking up a season-high 199 total yards—171 of which were on the ground, along with two touchdowns from 30 carries. Despite Clemson’s offensive efforts, which included 450 total yards and 31 first downs over 101 plays, it wasn’t enough to overcome Louisville’s resilience.
Clemson’s quarterback Cade Klubnik had a solid performance, completing 33 out of 56 passes for 228 yards and accounting for one touchdown and 43 rushing yards on 12 carries. Defensive standout Wade Woodaz led his team with 11 tackles, but ultimately, Clemson couldn’t maintain its lead in the series against Louisville, dropping to 8-1 in their all-time encounters.
The game began with Louisville’s kicker Brock Travelstead scoring the first points on a 21-yard field goal. Clemson quickly answered with a touchdown from Klubnik to Antonio Williams, establishing a brief lead. However, Louisville regained control in the second quarter, highlighted by a touchdown run from quarterback Tyler Shough and another touchdown by Keyjuan Brown, pushing halftime to a 17-7 advantage for the Cardinals.
Although Clemson held Louisville scoreless in the third quarter, they allowed three field goals, extending Louisville’s lead to 26-7 by the start of the final quarter. Clemson fought back with a tenacious 61-yard drive that led to Mafah’s touchdown run. However, after recovering an onside kick, Louisville’s Isaac Brown dashed 45 yards for another touchdown, bringing the score to 33-14. Mafah later added his second score, finalizing the game at 33-21.
In a notable moment, Clemson honored its nine newly inducted Athletic Hall of Fame members during the game, including notable football alumni Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins.
Looking ahead, Clemson will embark on a challenging road trip, facing Virginia Tech on November 9 and Pitt on November 16. They still have two home games on the horizon against The Citadel and South Carolina, where fans can secure tickets for the action at Memorial Stadium.
This defeat, while disappointing for Clemson, serves as an opportunity for the team to regroup and return stronger in their upcoming matches. With their next games away, the team will need to harness their determination and skill to finish the season on a high note.