Louisville Cardinals vs Virginia Cavaliers Match Player Stats On Oct 29, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Oct 29, 2016

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Heisman Trophy frontrunner Lamar Jackson's 29-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Smith with 13 seconds left lifted No. 5 Louisville over upset-minded Virginia 32-25 on Saturday at Scott Stadium.

Jackson passed for 361 yards and four touchdowns while adding 90 yards on the ground to continue.

After trailing 17-7 midway through the third quarter, Louisville (7-1, 5-1 in the ACC) reeled off 17 straight points to take a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter.

Virginia (2-6, 1-3) wouldn't quit however and took a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown and two-point conversion, but allowed Louisville to march 75 yards in the game's waning moments –- ultimately leading to the Cardinals’ game-winning score.

The Cavaliers were led by quarterback Kurt Benkert, who passed for 238 yards and three touchdowns. Benkert also threw two interceptions that were crucial in the second half for the Cavaliers.

Louisville outgained the Cavaliers 508-322 and were a perfect 4-for- 4 in the red zone.

Wide receiver Jamari Staples led the talented Louisville receiving corps with 120 yards and a touchdown.

Doni Dowling was the bright spot for the Cavaliers' receiving group, as he brought down five passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

With a 27-yard field goal by Sam Hayward early in the first quarter, Virginia became the first team all season to score first against Louisville.

The Cardinals answered by driving 87 yards in 2:14, capping the drive with Jackson passing for a touchdown to Staples.

Louisville held a 7-3 lead with the football but coughed it up in its own territory and the Cavaliers took advantage. Benkert found wide receiver Doni Dowling for a touchdown from nine out to give Virginia a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter.

After a Benkert interception deep in Cardinals' territory gave the ball back to Louisville, the Cavaliers sacked Jackson on fourth down to regain possession of the ball with 5:28 to play in the half.

Virginia led 10-7 at the half after holding the Cardinals to 261 yards.

Jackson threw for 205 yards with a touchdown, and ran for another 37 yards, but was sacked three times by Virginia.

The Cavaliers totaled only 170 total yards in the first half but held the ball for 17 minutes compared to 13 for Louisville.

NOTES: Virginia is 2-1 all-time against Louisville at Scott Stadium. ... No. 5 Louisville is the highest ranked team to visit Scott Stadium since Oregon in 2013. ... Quarterback Lamar Jackson needs two yards to become the first Louisville quarterback to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season after tallying 90 yards on the ground on Saturday. ... Entering Saturday, Louisville's first quarter point differential was plus-84; it was minus-3 after one quarter against Virginia.