Stanford Cardinal kicker Emmett Kenny (13) watches his game winning field goal in the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto at Sat Nov 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (3-7, 2-5 ACC) won their final home game of their inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, 38-35 over the Louisville Cardinals (6-4, 4-3 ACC), on a cool afternoon in Palo Alto.

Despite winning the coin flip and possessing the ball first to start the game, Stanford was unable to hold on to their early 10-0 lead. Louisville was able to spread their wings, and fly away–as so eloquently sung by the R&B group, Troop–for most of the game, but it was a 60-minute contest.

The Cardinal did nothing with the opening drive of the game; however, they were able to spoil the Cardinals’ initial drive. Stanford forced a turnover by Louisville, when their QB, Tyler Shough attempted a pass to Mark Redman, it was deflected by defensive tackle Zach Rowell, and intercepted by senior linebacker Gaethan Bernadel.

Stanford parlayed that early gift into three points on the scoreboard. Senior kicker Emmet Kenny booted a 41-yard field goal to put his team up 3-0.They would add more in less than two minutes of game time play. They forced there fine feathered guest from the Bluegrass State to punt the ball.

Junior QB Ashton Daniels launched a 62-yard bomb to freshman WR Emmett Mosley V, , to give the home team a 10-point lead, 10-0. Things were looking good for the Cardinal, but the Cardinals record indicated that they had the propicity to tally some points themselves.

They did just that with a little more than a minute left in the quarter. Redshirt-junior running back Donald Chaney burst through the line for a one yard touchdown. The red birds were within three, 10-7. That also was the score after 15 minutes of combat, the Cardinal up by three going into the second quarter.

Midway through the quarter number two, Stanford improved on their lead, with another field goal (24) by Kenney. The Cardinal went up by six, 13-7, but that did not last long. Louisville responded less than three minutes later to finally take the lead.

Freshman running back Duke Watson rushed for a five yard touchdown, and with the extra point, the Cardinals went ahead by one, 14-13.They were able to add more before the half.

Junior wide receiver Chris caught a ten yard touchdown pass from Shough, with :49 before intermission, giving the Cardinals an eight-point advantage at that point, and eventually at halftime. 21-13, Louisville.

Early in the second half, Duke Watson was at it again. The first-year exploded for a 68-yard run to paydirt. That scoring drive gave Louisville their first double-digit lead 28-13, widening the margin to 15.

Stanford pride showed up, and the Cardinal was able to score with :07 in the third stanza. Daniels completed another TD pass ((13 yards), this time to Elic Ayomanor. The Cardinal pulled within seven, after a successful two point conversion, 28-21, U of L.

A little more than five minutes into the final quarter, the running Duke made another appearance in the endzone. Watson scampered five yards to the TD zone, to place them in front by two touchdowns, 35-21. The game seemed to be in the Cardinals’ wings, not the Cardinal tree.

Freshman sensation Emmett Mosley V had to have made his four predecessor namesakes proud with his historic performance in the game, Especially the fourth quarter, when he took over, Mosley caught two crucial touchdown passes, Daniels hit him for a four yarder, and Justin Lamson tossed his (25) with :45 left in regulation. At that juncture of the conference battle, it was tied at 35′

Louisville had the ball, hoping to end it, avoiding overtime. Instead, they failed to move the sticks on a 4th down play near midfield, not attempting the potential game-winning field goal either. Not only was that questionable on the behalf of Louisville, but they committed some egregious errors too.

With a few seconds left, and Stanford also near midfield, too far away for a makeable field goal, the Cardinals committed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with a second left.

That tagged on 15 yards to their trek downfield. Next, they jumped offsides on the field goal attempt. Five more yards, and the Cardinal were absolutely in FG range, with the 20-yards gift.

“It was the Penalties, you know, that gave us the opportunity. He [UL HC Jeff Brohm] didn’t expect to have two penalties to put us in that, but he is playing to win, you know.” Stated Stanford HC Troy Taylor.

Emmet Kenney stepped up and booted a 52-yard Game-Winner, and the crowd of 18, 685 were truly gleeful that Stanford won their second home game at the stadium, but first ACC home victory.

Stanford will next be in action Saturday, November 23 across the Bay versus Cal, in the first inaugural ACC Battle of the Axe, at 12:30 PM on the ACC Network. Louisville heads back to Kentucky to host Pitt, on the same date on ESPN2, game time: TBD.