Recap: Florida State answers Louisville's comeback

Louisville falls in first conference game of the season despite 21-point comeback

Louisville football rallied from a 21-point deficit, but couldn’t protect a fourth quarter lead, losing to Florida State 35-24 in Tallahassee Sept. 21. The Cardinals scored 24 unanswered points to take a 24-21 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Florida State scored two touchdowns in the final eight minutes in the Cardinals’ conference opener.

Malik Cunnigham completed 16 of 27 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Dez Fitzpatrick finished with seven receptions for 133 yards and a score for Louisville.

Alex Hornibrook completed 15 of 20 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns while Cam Akers rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns for Florida State, an offense that gained 522 yards.

Amonte Caban ended Florida State’s opening drive with a tackle for a loss on fourth-and-2 from the Louisville 26-yard-line.

After a Cardinal three-and-out, Florida State made things look easy on its next drive. James Blackmon completed passes of 17 and 29 yards while Cam Akers capped an eight-play, 73-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run with 9:11 left in the first quarter.

Cunningham had a phenomenal 16-yard run on third-and-14 from the Louisville 39-yard-line, giving the Cardinals a desperately needed first down. The quarterback was stopped on a draw-play on fourth-and-3 from the Florida State 41-yard-line to end the drive.

Florida State had a quick answer. Alex Hornibrook completed a pass to Keyshawn Helton, who weaved through the Cardinal secondary for a 44-yard touchdown reception for a 14-0 lead.

Following another Louisville three-and-out on a drive that started on the 1-yard-line, Florida State extended its lead to 21-0 on the final play of the first quarter. Akers had a four-yard run for a score on a four-play, 39-yard drive.

Louisville’s defense looked better in the second quarter. The Cardinals held Florida State to a three-and-out and were also aided by a missed field goal from 51 yards by Ricky Aguayo.

After the missed field goal, Louisville’s offense started the move the ball. Cunningham completed a pass for a first down to Dez Fitzpatrick, but the Cardinals eventually faced a fourth-and-8 from the 50-yard line.

Tabarius Peterson took a direct snap on a fake punt and rushed for nine yards for a first down. The drive continued and Cunningham became more comfortable throwing.

He completed an 18-yard pass to Jordan Davis and later threw a 9-yard touchdown to Tutu Atwell in the corner of the end zone to cut Louisville’s deficit to 21-7 with 1:27 left in the second quarter.

Florida State moved the ball down the field, but Aguayo missed a 47-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Louisville scored on its second drive of the second half. The Cardinals reached the red zone, but had to settled for a 30-yard field goal by Blanton Creque to cut Florida State’s lead to 21-10 with 7:55 left in the third quarter.

After another missed field goal by Aguayo, Louisville went 76 yards in seven plays for a touchdown to cut Florida State’s lead to 21-17 with 1:51 left in the third quarter. Cunningham completed a 48-yard pass to Marshon Ford and scored one play later from four yards.

Dez Fitzpatrick hauled in a 74-yard touchdown reception from Cunningham on the second play of the fourth quarter to give Louisville its first lead, 24-21.

Louisville’s defense held firm after the touchdown, forcing Florida State to a quick three-and-out. The Cardinals picked up two first downs, including a 29-yard reception by Atwell to help bring the ball to the Florida State 23-yard-line.

Cyrus Fagan ended Louisville’s drive with an interception at the 10-yard-line with 9:39 left.

Florida State capitalized off the turnover. Tamorrion Terry was free down the sideline on a bust coverage, catching a 60-yard touchdown to return the lead to Florida State with 7:25 left.

Florida State forced a three-and-out and followed with a game-clinching drive. The Seminoles were aided by a roughing the kicker penalty on fourth-and-goal, setting up a touchdown run by Akers for a 35-24 lead with 1:37 left.