LOUISVILLE’S OFFENSIVE LINE FUELS 265-YARD RUSHING PERFORMANCE

Final: No. 23 Louisville 41, No. 16 SMU 31

Louisville’s offensive front powered the Cardinals to 265 rushing yards.

The Cardinals’ leading runner accumulated 163 yards and two touchdowns on only 10 carries, averaging 16.3 yards per attempt. His production included two touchdown runs of more than 50 yards. Louisville also produced a 27-yard rushing touchdown during the second half.

SMU countered with major interior rushing success. Its leading runner gained 197 yards on 24 carries, an average of 8.2 yards per attempt.

Louisville defensive linemen Clev Lubin and Tyler Thompson consistently pressured the SMU backfield. Although the Cardinals struggled to finish those pressures with sacks, the interior disruption contributed to late mistakes and helped Louisville secure the victory.

The two teams’ leading rushers combined for 360 yards, making offensive-line play the defining statistical feature of the game.