3 takeaways: Louisville football blows prime opportunity against Jordan Travis-less FSU

The Cardiac Cardinals were in full effect for a second week in a row.

After escaping Orlando with a close 20-14 win over the University of Central Florida last week, Louisville football’s home opener against Florida State on Friday night had the same feel. Unlike the Golden Knights, though, the Seminoles spoiled the fun.

Florida State’s late 2-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker to Johnny Wilson and a late interception thrown by Malik Cunningham gave the Seminoles a 35-31 victory over Louisville at Cardinals Stadium.

On a night they celebrated one of their icons, Michael Bush, the Cardinals (1-2, 0-2 ACC) could not capitalize on a Seminoles team that lost starting quarterback Jordan Travis in the first half and struggled to handle U of L’s defensive pressure with Rodemaker in charge early in the second half.

Louisville had two chances late to win the game after FSU went ahead on the Wilson TD reception, but the Cardinals’ first drive ended with a turnover on downs with 4:42 left. After FSU kicker Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 36-yard field goal with 1:44 left, Cunningham failed to lead a game-winning drive and threw an interception with 37 seconds left to end it.

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Here are three takeaways from the second ACC loss of the season:

Cardinals’ self-inflicted wounds cost them

Florida State’s Danj Altine celebrates after scoring his teams first touchdown against Louisville. Sept. 16, 2022

For a third straight week, Louisville struggled with penalties. The team totaled 10 for 66 yards, a few of which came at crucial points.

Two plays after Florida State started its final drive that began at the Louisville 34-yard line following a Cardinals drive that ended with a turnover on downs, U of L was called for pass interference. Treshaun Ward followed the penalty up with a 13-yard run and the Seminoles got into field goal range only for Fitzgerald to miss the kick.

Story continues

Louisville has committed 29 penalties for 204 yards in just three games.

The Cardinals also failed to win a game it had under control after Travis exited the game with a leg injury and didn’t return. U of L hounded Rodemaker to start, forcing three sacks and an interception.

His first drive, which began at the 1:37 mark of the second quarter, ended with Cardinals linebacker Yasir Abdullah pocketing his second career interception.

Rodemaker used halftime to settle in, however, and shook off the rocky start. After getting sacked by Diaby with 14:25 on the clock, the Seminoles’ backup QB hurled a 69-yard pass to Johnny Wilson then connected with the receiver on a 10-yard touchdown to tie the game at 28.

But Rodemaker ended the night 6 of 10 for 109 yards and two crucial touchdowns late to lead a comeback effort. FSU is 3-0 for the first time since 2015.

Cunningham does it all … good and bad

Sep 16, 2022; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) runs the ball to score a touchdown against Florida State Seminoles defensive back Akeem Dent (27) during the first quarter at Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

The strategy to defend Louisville’s offense is easier said than done: contain Cunningham. The redshirt senior’s success against Florida State continued Friday night as he recorded 243 yards passing (21 of 34 with a TD and INT) and was electric running the ball, finishing with 127 yards and two TDs on 17 carries on the night. His 18-yard touchdown run at the 14:25 mark of the fourth quarter tied him for second-most career rushing touchdowns in Louisville history with 41.

Two plays before the scoring run, Cunningham cut right and dashed down the field for a 40-yard pickup. He also showed the balance that head coach Scott Satterfield and offensive coordinator Lance Taylor wanted by completing 62% of his passes, which included throws of 33 and 21 yards to Ahmari Huggins-Bruce and Trevion Cooley, respectively.

Everything went according to plan … until it didn’t. With the game on the line, the Seminoles’ defense came up big in the fourth quarter. Needing to keep the drive alive, Cunningham threw an interception to Kevin Knowles with 37 seconds remaining on the clock.

Call to the infirmary

Sep 16, 2022; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Jawhar Jordan (25) runs the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the first quarter at Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Before the game, Louisville running back Jalen Mitchell was ruled out after being considered questionable with a lower leg injury sustained against UCF in Week 2. Once the contest began, Jawhar Jordan started at running back and Tiyon Evans was seen in sweats on the sideline. Jordan and Trevion Cooley handled the load well with Cooley catching a 17-yard TD pass from Cunningham in the first quarter then trotting into the end zone from a yard out in the second quarter to give U of L a 21-14 lead.

Florida State, however, suffered the worst loss with Travis exiting the game with less than five minutes to go in the first half. Trying to avoid an eventual sack, Travis took a big hit from Louisville defensive end Yaya Diaby.

Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @Alexis_Cubit.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville football vs. FSU: 3 takeaways from missed opportunity