In a stunning college football upset, the Louisville Cardinals defeated the No. 2 Miami Hurricanes 24-21 on Friday night, with Miami quarterback Carson Beck throwing four interceptions, the last of which sealed the victory in the final minute. The game, played at Hard Rock Stadium, saw Louisville capitalize on a strong defensive performance and early offensive drives to hand Miami its first loss of the season, ending the Hurricanes’ undefeated streak and 10-game home winning streak.
Louisville set the tone early, scoring on each of their first two possessions to build a 14-0 lead. Quarterback Miller Moss connected with Chris Bell for two touchdown passes of 35 and 36 yards, while Moss also added a rushing score. The Cardinals’ offense was complemented by a relentless defense that focused on stifling Miami’s run game and forcing Beck into quick decisions, resulting in his first interception on a deep pass over the middle caught by Antonio Watts.
Beck’s struggles continued as he threw a second interception on another deep attempt, highlighting Louisville’s effective game planning. The Hurricanes, who entered the game with one of the top offenses in the country, managed only 63 rushing yards against Louisville’s ACC-leading defense. Miami slowly chipped away at the deficit, trailing 14-10 at halftime and 17-13 entering the fourth quarter, but could never fully recover from the early hole.
In the fourth quarter, Beck’s third interception came on a fourth-down heave that appeared to dash Miami’s hopes, but a forced fumble by Keionte Scott gave the Hurricanes a lifeline. Malachi Toney scored on a 12-yard run and added a 2-point conversion, cutting the lead to 24-21 with time remaining. However, Miami’s comeback bid fell short when Beck’s fourth interception, thrown under pressure and resulting from a miscommunication with his receiver, was caught by T.J. Capers with 32 seconds left.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal expressed frustration with the team’s execution and discipline, emphasizing the need for improvement across the board. Beck, who completed 25 of 35 passes for 271 yards, acknowledged his poor performance and vowed to learn from the loss, noting that the season offers more opportunities for redemption. The defeat marked Miami’s 10th loss as a favorite under Cristobal, raising questions about their consistency in high-stakes games.
For Louisville, the victory represents a historic achievement, as they improved to 1-8 against teams ranked Nos. 1 or 2 in the AP poll and secured their first road win against a top-10 opponent. The Cardinals’ balanced attack, featuring Moss’s 248 passing yards and Isaac Brown’s 113 rushing yards, demonstrated their capability to compete with elite teams. This win bolsters Louisville’s position in the ACC and could influence their ranking in the College Football Playoff discussion.
Looking ahead, both teams face critical matchups in the coming weeks. Miami must regroup to maintain its playoff aspirations, while Louisville aims to build on this momentum in a competitive conference. The upset underscores the unpredictability of college football and serves as a reminder that any team can rise to the occasion on a given night.