Free-falling Pitt, Louisville lock up with bowl position in play

Teams eager to move past late losses take the field Saturday when the Louisville Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Panthers.Louisville (6-4, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) returns after allowing Stanford to score 10 points in the final 45 seconds to upset the then-No. 19 Cardinals 38-35.The Cardinals fell out of this week’s College Football Playoff rankings when the selection committee released them on Tuesday night.The Panthers (7-3, 3-3) lost their third straight when then-No. 20 Clemson scored a touchdown with 1:16 remaining to win 24-20. Pitt outgained the visitors 438-346 but committed two turnovers and allowed eight sacks. In addition, coach Pat Narduzzi’s team committed a season-high 13 penalties for 100 yards. Three came in succession when the Panthers had a third-and-goal from the Clemson 1. Instead of possibly scoring a touchdown, Pitt settled for a field goal.Like Pitt, Louisville committed a season-high 13 for 102 yards. Flags negated two interceptions and a sack. Another gave Stanford a second chance for a two-point conversion. Others were even costlier.Stanford got the ball at its 45 with five seconds remaining after Louisville turned it over on downs. In that time, the Cardinals committed two penalties, allowing Stanford to win on a 52-yard field goal as time expired.Speaking to reporters Monday, Brohm said he’s fine if the players are still stung from the loss.”We feel the pain, and you got to let it motivate you to want to not let it happen again,” Brohm said.

Blogs