CLEMSON, S.C. — In a significant upset, Isaac Brown rushed for a personal best of 151 yards and scored a key touchdown in the fourth quarter, leading Louisville to a 33-21 victory over No. 11 Clemson on Saturday night. This marked the Cardinals’ first triumph against the Tigers, who had previously held an 8-0 record against them. Quarterback Tyler Shough also contributed with a dramatic somersault into the end zone for a touchdown, while Brock Travelstead matched his career high with four field goals, propelling Louisville (6-4, 4-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) to bowl eligibility and handing Clemson (6-2, 5-1) a potentially damaging setback in their season.
Clemson entered the game as one of four undefeated teams in the ACC, but the loss has put a dent in their ambitions of competing for an ACC title and making it to the College Football Playoff. The Tigers must now seek help from other teams to keep their aspirations alive as the season nears its conclusion. Shough’s 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter set the stage for Louisville’s momentum shift, enabling them to secure a 10-7 lead that they would never relinquish.
Travelstead, who has had a productive season with nine successful field goals out of 15 attempts, made kicks of 21, 42, 40, and 49 yards. His performance tied his personal best, achieved on two occasions last season. When Clemson managed to trim the lead to 26-14 midway through the final quarter, Brown responded decisively with a 45-yard touchdown run, effectively sealing the game.
This performance marked Brown’s fourth outing with over 100 rushing yards this season, bringing his total to 847 yards—just 113 shy of the freshman record of 960 yards set by former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in 2015. After a strong start at the beginning of the season, Louisville faced some challenges with three losses in their next five games and were seen as underdogs against a solid Clemson team.
Entering the matchup, Clemson boasted an impressive average of 42 points and 490 yards per game in their 6-1 record. However, it was Louisville’s offense that found a rhythm, consistently making gains and preventing the Tigers from amassing their usual offensive output. The Cardinals capitalized on defensive lapses by Clemson, blocking a key 49-yard field goal attempt late in the second quarter, and extending their lead to 17-7 by halftime, marking the first time Clemson trailed at the half since their earlier defeat to Georgia.
The Cardinals continued to put pressure on the Tigers, blocking another field goal attempt in the fourth quarter after Clemson’s offensive drive faltered near the Louisville 7-yard line. For Clemson, tailback Phil Mafah had a standout performance, recording 171 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
For Louisville, while their defense has been scrutinized following a 2-3 stretch after a strong 3-0 start—yielding nearly 33 points per game—they showcased their ability to contain the Tigers, including a pivotal stop on a fourth-and-1 in the third quarter when Clemson sought to extend their drive.
Clemson, who had rebounded positively following their season opener loss to Georgia, now faces an uphill battle once more after this defeat. Even with four potential victories remaining on their schedule, it doesn’t assure them a chance to compete for the conference championship.
Looking ahead, Louisville will have a week off before facing Stanford on November 16, while Clemson is set to travel to Virginia Tech next Saturday.
