The University of Louisville Cardinals will cap off a historic 10-win season with a trip to sunny San Diego, California, to face the University of Southern California Trojans in the DirectTV Holiday Bowl on December 27th. This thrilling matchup, marking the first meeting between the two programs, will take place at Petco Park, home of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET and will be televised on Fox. Tickets are already on sale through the Holiday Bowl website via Ticketmaster, with prices starting as low as $94.
Uncharted Territory: Cardinals vs Trojans
This bowl appearance marks not only the first-ever clash between Louisville and USC but also the Cardinals’ 10th encounter with a Pac-12 opponent. The Trojans, led by Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, arrive with a 7-5 record and a three-game losing streak. Williams has thrown for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, with wide receiver Tahj Washington leading the team in receiving yards (963) and touchdowns (6).
Brohm’s Boys Ready for Another Challenge
Head Coach Scott Brohm has revitalized the Cardinals program in his first year at the helm, guiding them to their first ACC Championship game appearance, where they fell to #5 Florida State. Under Brohm’s leadership, Louisville secured a 10-3 record, their first double-digit win season since 2013.
The offensive attack, averaging 30.9 points per game, was fueled by the dynamic duo of running back Jawhar Jordan and quarterback Jack Plummer. Jordan, the first Cardinal to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark since 2019, finished the season with 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns. Plummer, meanwhile, threw for 3,063 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 63.5% of his passes. Top wide receiver Jamari Thrash hauled in 63 catches for 858 yards and six touchdowns.
Defense Stands Strong
The Cardinals’ defensive unit, allowing just 19.7 points per game, held Florida State to a mere 16 points in the ACC Championship game. First-team All-ACC defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte recorded an impressive 11.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, leading the defensive charge.
National Recognition and Bowl History
Louisville’s impressive season earned them recognition in the final College Football Playoff rankings (16th), AP Top 25 (16th), and AFCA Coaches Poll (15th). This marks their 26th bowl appearance, boasting a 12-12-1 record. Their recent bowl success includes a victory over Cincinnati in the 2022 Wasabi Fenway Bowl.
The Cardinals are eager to embark on this exciting westward journey and face a talented USC team in a unique setting. With a potent offense, a stingy defense, and the momentum of a historic season, Louisville is poised to make a statement in the DirectTV Holiday Bowl.
Get your red and black ready, Cardinal fans! It’s time to flock to San Diego and cheer on your team as they take on the Trojans in a battle for the ultimate holiday season victory.tunesharemore_vertadd_photo_alternate
