LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Atlantic Coast Conference football championship game was similar to a string of games the University of Louisville played this season, starting in September.
The North Carolina State game. The Notre Dame game. The Miami game. The Kentucky game.
Like all of those teams, Florida State had more talent than coach Jeff Brohm had with the Cardinals during his debut season.
But Florida State took it up a notch.
"We knew this was going to be very challenging and we'd have to play well to win." Brohm said.
First-round draft picks on the defensive front that U of L could rarely effectively block. Linebackers who could run, hit and cover. Guys floating through the secondary who made passing the football nearly impossible for Louisville quarterback Jack Plummer.
Mammoth blockers across the offensive line strong and limber enough to prop up an overwhelmed freshman quarterback. Running backs with track team speed.
Brohm will need another year or two to collect the kind of players that Mike Norvell has at FSU. This is his fourth season in Tallahassee.
Somehow, mostly because of his defense and FSU’s quarterback issues, Brohm found a way to drag the drama into the fourth-quarter Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
But Florida State outlasted the Cardinals, 16-6, holding Louisville without a touchdown and less than 200 yards of total offense (77 rushing yards and 111 passing) for the first time this season.
"Once it got turned into a heavy pass-oriented game in the fourth quarter when we were down, we were really dismal with that," Brohm said.
"So it just goes to show that if we don't have balance, we have a long way to go in the passing game."
The Cards won their first five one-possession games this season while surging into the national Top 10. But they lost one to Kentucky and then stayed within a possession of the No. 4 Seminoles until the final two minutes.
With injuries to his top two quarterbacks, Norvell started true freshman Brock Glenn, who had completed 2 of 4 passes all season.
Louisville’s defense made Glenn look like a guy who had not completed any passes.
"I thought the defense played really well the entire game and gave us a chance," Brohm said.
Glenn wasn’t good enough to beat Louisville. But the Seminoles defense certainly was.
Limited the Cards to 69 yards and no points in the first half. Forced Louisville to punt on eight of their first 10 drives.
Intercepted Plummer in the end zone in the fourth quarter when the Cards had a grand opportunity to take a 13-10 lead. Sacked Plummer for the seventh and final time at the Cards’ 19-yard line on Louisville’s final play.
"You've got to make contested plays with people holding on to you, grabbing on to you," Brohm said. "Or hitting you as you catch the ball or throw the ball.
"Against good football teams, that's how real football works. We were not able to make those."
Throw in a masterful 73-yard run by FSU halfback Lawrance Toafili that led to the game’s only touchdown early in the third quarter and it was more than Louisville could overcome. Toafili got the final 2 yards for the touchdown as the quarterback on the next snap.
"Quite honestly our adjustment to the Wildcat the first couple of times was not good," Brohm said.
Plummer finished 14 for 36 for 111 yards with the interception. Jamari Thrash, with 7 catches for 57 yards, was the only U of L receiver with more than 21 yards. Jawhar Jordan was limited to 52 yards on 14 carries while Isaac Guerendo had 10 yards on four rushing attempts.
"Those guys presses us across the board, challenged routes and we had to earn our completions," Brohm said.
The loss bumped the Cardinals to 10-3 and leaves them wondering where they will play their bowl game.
"We'll have to figure out a way to fix (the passing game) moving forward as I'm sure we'll have another tough game," Brohm said.
Maybe the Orange Bowl in Miami. Maybe the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa. Maybe the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando.
Tune in Sunday afternoon.
The victory might not have been sexy enough to keep Florida State in the 4-team college playoff, despite the Seminoles’ status as ACC champions with a 13-0 record.
Without Jordan Travis, their top quarterback, the Seminoles did not look like a team that belonged with Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama or Georgia, the team’s tussling over the coveted four spots.
But FSU should have backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker, who missed the game Saturday night because of a concussion but should be clear in several weeks.
But that’s the committee’s problem.
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