SAN DIEGO, Calif. (WDRB) — That was a dreadful way to avoid an eggnog bath — and to end what seemed like a magical college football season for the University of Louisville less than five weeks ago.

The Cards came to Petco Park Wednesday night and opted out of taking advantage of Southern Cal’s vulnerabilities, losing the DirecTV Holiday Bowl, 42-28. They fell behind seven minutes into the second quarter and never recovered.

The Cards’ defense took a holiday, and it was USC coach Lincoln Riley, not UofL coach Jeff Brohm, who got a jumbo bucket of chilly eggnog dumped on his head to punctuate the post-game celebration.

"All three segments needed to be better for us to get a win and we didn't get that done," Brohm said. "It's disappointing."

You could say that again -- and Brohm did say it again in his post-game remarks, challenging his players and coaches to work harder during an off season that will begin next week after the Cards fly home at 9 a.m. (PST) Thursday.

Remember that storyline about USC checking out because Caleb Williams, the Trojans’ Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, was one of 10 starters who opted out of playing in the game?

Consider it fake news.

Miller Moss, the first-time starter who replaced Williams, stepped in and threw six touchdown passes. That’s more TD passes than Williams threw in his last three games — and Williams is likely to be the first pick in the NFL Draft next spring.

Moss completed 23 of 33 throws for 372 yards and a dazzling quarterback rating of 218.3. He made the drive home north on I-5 with the offensive MVP trophy.

Louisville Cardinal fans gather at Gravely Brewing Co. to watch the Holiday Bowl.

"They weren't doing anything special," said U of L cornerback Quincy Riley. "They just caught the ball. They just beat us one-on-one. Each time they had the chance, they just made the play."

That was a record performance for a first-time USC starter — for anybody who has played in the Holiday Bowl, and future NFL quarterbacks like Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Ty Detmer and Colt McKoy played in this game. With Riley reportedly looking to add at least one veteran quarterback in the transfer portal, some wondered if Moss would bolt USC after the bowl game. Instead, Louisville let him perform like the next Carson Palmer.

It was a bleak final chapter for the Cards who tumbled from 10-1 to 10-4, getting outscored in their final three games against Kentucky, Florida State and USC by a combined score of 96-65. Ranked No. 16 in the pre-bowl Associated Press poll, the Cards are at risk of exiting the season-ending Top 25.

"We did go 10-1 and had our opportunity to beat our rival (Kentucky) at home and we didn't do that," U of L quarterback Jack Plummer said. "We had an opportunity to be ACC champs and came up short then.

"We definitely could have won this game as well. So it's definitely a tough way to end the season."

The Wildcats, Seminoles and Trojans had more overall team speed and used it. Against Florida State, U of L could not score. Against USC, U of L could not defend. Against Kentucky, it was a combo platter.

"It just takes a lot of work," Brohm said. "We're sitting at 10-1 and feeling good about ourselves and then we kind of just let things slip at the end. And that's disappointing."

The first half was the worst first half Louisville has played since the season opener, when the Cards allowed 28 second-quarter points against Georgia Tech.

Plummer carelessly dropped a fumble inside the Louisville 20, reminiscent of his critical fourth-quarter fumble in the Kentucky game. Issac Guerendo ran for 34 yards on Louisville’s first scoring drive and then Louisville stopped giving him the ball as much in the first half.

Yes, Louisville allowed 42 points and 443 yards. But the Cards only scored 28, the fewest points that USC allowed in its last nine games. The Cards generated 361 yards against a Trojans' defense that was one of the worst in the Pac-12, costing their defensive coordinator his job while allowing 439 yards per game.

Plummer completed 21 of 25 passes but only one went for as many as 20 yards. He left the game for one play in the second quarter with a dislocated little finger on his throwing hand but did not use that was an excuse.

"Honestly it felt pretty good throwing the ball," he said. "It didn't affect me. I kind of battled through a little bit of pain but as far as throwing the ball it didn't (cause a problem)."

The Cards’ pass rush never left the hotel. No sacks. Only two minor quarterback hurries, both in the second half. No urgency. No impact. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville's best defensive lineman all season, was controlled by the USC offensive line. He did not register a tackle. Stephen Herron had one.

Louisville takes on USC in the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday night.

The pass coverage was generally a step or two steps or sometimes three steps behind, with USC receivers flashing their superior speed to slip downfield untouched.

Moss had not completed a pass since Sept. 9 and had three touchdown passes over his 3-season career.

Moss had time to sign autographs and take selfies while firing lasers across the turf. He completed 13 of 18 passes for four touchdowns and 218 yards in the first two quarters — and, except for a Quincy Riley interception, rarely struggled in the second half.

Nobody noticed that Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and USC starter the last two seasons, was standing in street clothes on the Trojans’ sidelines.

He saw quite a show, including the eggnog bath.

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