STANFORD, Calif. — In a thrilling finish, Emmet Kenney kicked a career-best 52-yard field goal as time expired, securing a 38-35 victory for Stanford over No. 22 Louisville on Saturday, thereby ending the Cardinal’s lengthy six-game losing streak.
Stanford faced a daunting 35-21 deficit in the fourth quarter but rallied back to even the score, thanks to two touchdown passes from Emmett Mosley V. The final touchdown was a 25-yard strike delivered by backup quarterback Justin Lamson with just 45 seconds remaining on the clock.
After forcing the Cardinals to turn the ball over on downs, Stanford took possession at their own 45-yard line and quickly gained ground with the help of a couple of penalties. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called against Louisville after a short swing pass advanced Stanford into better field goal range.
Initially preparing for a 57-yard field goal attempt, Kenney benefited from a defensive offside call against Louisville’s Quincy Riley, which shaved five yards off the distance. With the ball now closer, Kenney nailed the kick, sealing the win for the Cardinal.
Quarterback Ashton Daniels threw for 298 yards and ended the game with three touchdown passes—two of which were caught by Mosley, who had an impressive 13 receptions totaling 168 yards.
On the other side, Louisville’s Tyler Shough finished the game with 270 passing yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals’ running back Duke Watson stood out, rushing for 117 yards and scoring three touchdowns, including a memorable 68-yard run in the third quarter that came right after a blocked punt. Watson stepped up as Louisville’s main offensive weapon when Isaac Brown was sidelined due to a shoulder injury in the second half.
In terms of game analysis, Louisville initially displayed the promise of a solid performance reminiscent of their recent win against No. 11 Clemson. However, the offense faltered in the final moments, undermined by two pivotal late-game penalties by the defense.
Stanford, under Coach Troy Taylor, exhibited remarkable resilience and composure during their comeback, showcasing the team’s fighting spirit as they overcame adversity.
Looking ahead, Louisville will head to Pittsburgh for their next matchup on Saturday, while Stanford prepares to face California in the highly anticipated Big Game on the same day.