LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Brandon Radcliff rushed for three touchdowns during Louisville’s 41-point second half, and the No. 5 Cardinals roared past Wake Forest 44-12 on Saturday despite a relatively quiet night for Heisman Trophy front-runner Lamar Jackson.
Louisville (9-1, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference, No. 6 CFP) trailed 12-0 behind three lost first-half fumbles before shutting down the Demon Deacons, holding them to just 37 yards after halftime. That opened the door for Radcliff to run for 141 yards and TDs of 55, 7 and 19 yards.
Jackson appeared headed for his first scoreless game since Nov. 14 against Virginia before completing a 2-yard pass to Cole Hikutini with 4:05 left for one of Louisville’s five touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Ronald Walker also had a 31-yard interception return for a TD in the final period, and Malik Williams added a 2-yard run with 50 seconds left.
Jackson rushed for a game-high 153 yards on 22 carries, but he was held to 145 yards passing. It just didn’t matter with Radcliff sparking Louisville to another blowout after one of its worst starts this season.
THE TAKEAWAY