Stanford Stuns No. 22 Louisville with Dramatic Comeback Victory

2024-11-17

STANFORD, Calif. – In a dramatic college football showdown on November 16, 2024, Stanford stunned No. 22 Louisville with a 38-35 victory, marking a significant end to their six-game losing streak. The Cardinal, who struggled throughout the season, rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final minutes to claim an unexpected triumph.

Stanford’s comeback was sparked by two crucial touchdown passes from Emmett Mosley V, who finished the game with three touchdown receptions and 168 yards. After Louisville appeared to have the game under control with a 35-21 lead late in the fourth quarter, Stanford scored 17 unanswered points, tying the game with just 45 seconds left.

The pivotal moment came when Stanford, after forcing a turnover on downs, benefitted from a series of penalties against Louisville. A critical unsportsmanlike conduct infraction and an offside call allowed Stanford to advance the ball into field goal range. With just one second remaining, kicker Emmet Kenney nailed a 52-yard field goal to seal the win, marking his second successful field goal from beyond 50 yards this season.

Louisville had entered the game as 20-point favorites, having recently ended a seven-game losing streak with a win against Clemson. However, their performance against Stanford was marred by 13 penalties, including nine on defense, which ultimately contributed to their downfall. Duke Watson had a standout game for Louisville, rushing for 117 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Tyler Shough passed for 270 yards and one touchdown.

The loss is likely to drop Louisville in the rankings, ending their hopes of maintaining a top-25 status for the remainder of the season. They will face off against Pittsburgh in their next game as they seek to recover from this devastating loss.

As for Stanford, this victory gives them a much-needed boost, ending their long-standing struggles against ranked opponents. They will next compete against California in the Big Game, hoping to continue their momentum from this remarkable win.