Louisville stops late two-point conversion to hold off Washington in 2024 Sun Bowl thriller

The Cardinals defense came up big with the game on the line

Louisville escaped with a 35-34 victory over Washington in a thrilling Sun Bowl on Tuesday as the Cardinals thwarted a go-ahead two-point conversion attempt from the Huskies with nine seconds left. Then, after receiving an unsportsmanlike penalty, the Cardinals had to keep Washington from recovering a dangerous onside kick that could have returned the football to the Huskies in prime field position.

It made for a wild finish to a game that the Cardinals led 35-21 until a furious Washington rally. The Huskies drew within 35-28 when they capped a 97-yard touchdown drive with a 31-yard touchdown connection between Demond Williams Jr. and Giles Jackson with 3:42 remaining.

After a defensive stand from the Huskies, Williams and Jackson connected for a fourth score. But instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game and likely force overtime, first-year Washington coach Jedd Fisch rolled the dice and and went for two. Williams targeted receiver Jeremiah Hunter in the back corner of the end zone, but Louisville's Antonio Watts broke up the pass to preserve the victory.

With Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough opting out, backup Harrison Bailey made the fourth start of his five-year college career. The former Tennessee and UNLV signal-caller threw a career-high three touchdown passes. The running game gave Bailey plenty of help, too, as Isaac Brown and Duke Watson combined for 182 yards rushing on 28 carries.

• Making his second career start, Washington freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. finished 26 of 32 for 374 with four touchdowns after throwing a pick six on the Huskies first possession. Giles Jackson caught all four of his touchdown passes. It was an encouraging showing for Williams, who also totaled 48 yards and a touchdown on the ground while demonstrating that he could be the QB of the future for the Huskies.

• While the Cardinals were without Shough and star receiver Ja'Corey Brooks, they did receive an infusion of talent as Caullin Lacy played for the first time since October. Lacy opted in October to sit out for the rest of the season after appearing in four regular season games. His decision came after a collarbone injury limited him to begin the season, and the move allowed him to use the 2024 season as a redshirt year. Playing in the bowl game did not jeopardize his redshirt status, and he showcased his dynamic playmaking ability with a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a 25-yard punt return.

• The win marked just the second bowl victory of the postseason for the ACC, which is now 2-9.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 5:41 pm ET · David Cobb]

Louisville hangs on in wild finish

Final: Louisville 35, Washington 34

Washington's Giles Jackson made his fourth touchdown grab of the day with nine seconds left on a fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard line to bring Washington within 35-34 with nine seconds left. Huskies coach Jedd Fisch opted to go for two and the win, but Demond Williams Jr.'s pass attempt was deflected and fell incomplete, allowing the Cardinals to survive a Sun Bowl thriller.

With Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough opting out, backup Harrison Bailey made the fourth start of his five-year college career. The former Tennessee and UNLV signal-caller threw a career-high three touchdown passes. The running game gave Bailey plenty of help, too, as Isaac Brown and Duke Watson combined for 182 yards rushing on 28 carries.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 5:12 pm ET · David Cobb]

Sun Bowl tightening up late

Washington's offense finally found a rhythm again wit a 13-play, 97-yard touchdown drive capped by a 31-yard touchdown pass from Demond Williams Jr. to Giles Jackson. It was their third touchdown connection of the day — all on strikes of 30+ yards — and it brings the Huskies within a touchdown with under four minutes to play. Jackson had three receiving touchdowns on the season entering today but is ending his six-year college career with a bang.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 5:00 pm ET · David Cobb]

Carter Schwartz does his job

Louisville had some punter drama for this game with normal starter Brady Hodges away from the team. Carter Schwartz has stepped in and done a nice job. He just booted a 54-yarder downed on Washington's 3-yard line. He's punted five times and is averaging 43.4 yards per punt with three of his punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Per Hodges' Twitter account, he's been away from the team since Dec. 10 and is claiming Louisville's collective "didn't want to hold up their end of things."

[Dec 31, 2024 at 4:40 pm ET · David Cobb]

Louisville extend the lead

Louisville turned on the jets with a 54-yard run from Duke Watson that set up an 8-yard touchdown run from Caullin Lacy to cap a 2-play drive that took a total of 52 seconds. That followed a three-and-out from Washington, which is reeling offensively to begin the second half. The balance in Louisville's attack has been impressive, and the Huskies continue to have little answer for the Cardinals' rushing attack.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 4:29 pm ET · David Cobb]

Harrison Bailey strikes again

Louisville quarterback Harrison Bailey just found tight end Nate Kurisky wide open over the middle for a 21-yard touchdown strike on a 3rd-and-12. That was Bailey's third touchdown toss of the day, which matches the total he posted over the past four seasons at three different schools. The Cardinals have been lethal on third downs in this game and have broken the second half stalemate to take a 28-21 lead.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 4:02 pm ET · David Cobb]

Sun Bowl second half keys

Louisville's defense needs to regroup. After a strong start that included a pick-six from Tahveon Nicholson, the Cardinals have struggled to contain Washington's passing game. Giles Jackson has gashed Louisville's secondary for a pair of big touchdown receptions, and quarterback Demond Williams Jr.'s mobility is now giving Louisville's defense something else to think about. Washington's trouble has been defending Louisville's run game, which has kept the Huskies off-balance with a handful of explosive gains.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 3:45 pm ET · David Cobb]

Sun Bowl is heating up

Halftime: Louisville 21, Washington 21

Both offenses began on shaky footing under inexperienced backup quarterbacks, but as the half progressed, both of them settled in to create some fireworks in a tightly contested Sun Bowl. Demond Williams Jr. has been the star of the show for Washington in his second career start with 168 yards passing and two touchdowns through the air after beginning the game with a pick six. Not to be outdone, Louisville's Harrison Bailey has tossed a couple of scores. Isaac Brown and Duke Watson have also totaled 95 yards rushing on a combined 16 carries for the Cardinals in the first-ever meeting between these two teams.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 3:42 pm ET · David Cobb]

Demond Williams Jr. shows dual-threat ability

Demond Williams Jr. has now accounted for three touchdowns in the first half after taking off for an 8-yard touchdown run on a third-and-4 play. The freshman has settled in nicely during his second career start after beginning the game with a pick-six. Williams brings obvious shades of Arizona QB Noah Fifita to the table. He was originally committed to the Wildcats and coach Jedd Fisch before following Fisch to Washington. Like Fifita, Williams is an undersized but dynamic playmaker with a flair for the dramatic. Williams may have even more foot speed.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 3:24 pm ET · David Cobb]

Cards respond

Harrison Bailey just flashed his arm talent by dropping a corner route in the bucket for Antonio Meeks, who reeled it in for a 28-yard touchdown to put the Cards back on top. That was a perfect throw on third-and-4. Prior to that drive, Louisville hadn't completed a pass of more than nine yards. But Bailey has now completed 4 of his last 5, which included a 17-yard strike on third-and-8 to keep the scoring drive alive. The offenses have officially settled in.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 3:16 pm ET · David Cobb]

Another home run

Demond Williams and Giles Jackson just connected for another huge touchdown against a Louisville secondary that is suddenly looking quite vulnerable. Jackson was wide open out of the slot, and Williams hit him in stride for a 49-yard score to tie the game. Williams has completed his last four passes, totaling 110 yards and two touchdowns in that span. Jackson has the first multi-touchdown game of his six-year college career. 

[Dec 31, 2024 at 3:10 pm ET · David Cobb]

Louisville stuffed

Jeff Brohm opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 from Louisville's 49-yard line. Duke Watson got a handoff, and Washington's Carson Bruener stuffed him with a leaping/diving tackle. The initial spot was unfavorable for the Cardinals, but the ruling was upheld upon review. Big-time defensive play for the Huskies, who will take over at midfield trailing 14-7 midway through the second quarter.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 2:52 pm ET · David Cobb]

Caullin Lacy making presence felt

Louisville star transfer Caullin Lacy was expected to make among the Cardinals' top perimeter threats this season but was limited to only four games due to injury. However, he's playing in the bowl game (he'll still be able to use 2024 as a redshirt year) and is making his presence felt. His 21-yard punt return helped give the Cardinals a short field, and he just scored on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Harrison Bailey. That was Lacy's third catch of the game in his first action since Oct. 19.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 2:34 pm ET · David Cobb]

Redemption for Williams

Demond Williams Jr. just found a big dose of redemption for Washington. The freshman quarterback hit Giles Jackson for a 40-yard touchdown pass deep over the middle. Jackson was in 1-on-1 coverage and went up to make a big play to even the score at 7-7. There was no safety help, and Jackson beat his man without much trouble. That should help the Washington offense settle down after a shaky start.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 2:29 pm ET · David Cobb]

Shaky QB play

Both quarterbacks have been shaky early, which is not stunning considering the lack of starting experience for both. Louisville's Harrison Bailey misfired on both passing attempts on Louisville's second offensive series as the teams traded punts. Demond Williams Jr. is 0 for 2 for Washington with the pick-six. Neither team has a first down.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 2:18 pm ET · David Cobb]

Pick six for the Cards

Disaster struck early for Washington. Faced with a third-and-long, Demond Williams Jr. dropped back. He was looking for an underneath receiver breaking to the outside on a shallow cross. But Tahveon Nicholson jumped the route and ran it back 21 yards for a touchdown. Just like that, it's 7-0 Louisville. The Cards have seven interceptions in their last four games. There are just 12 total yards between the teams through two total possessions, but the Cards have the lead and Williams may have some shaky confidence.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 2:15 pm ET · David Cobb]

Louisville plays it safe early

Louisville faced a fourth-and-1 from its own 34-yard line on its first possession, which forced Jeff Brohm to make a tough decision. He opted to play it safe, and Carter Schwartz booted it 44 yards. Washington will take over from its own 22-yard line. Demond Williams Jr. is making his second career start at QB for the Huskies, who are hoping to lay a foundation for their 2025 offense today.

[Dec 31, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Sun Bowl Preview

Two of the most productive passing offenses in the country clash at the historic Sun Bowl as Washington faces off against Louisville on New Year's Eve. The Huskies turned over much of the roster after a trip to the CFP National Championship a year ago but managed to reach bowl eligibility after beating USC and UCLA in the final weeks of the season. 

Louisville ranked among the top teams in the ACC but suffered at the expense of close-game luck, finishing with an 8-4 record. All four losses -- Notre Dame, SMU, Miami and Stanford -- were by one score. The Cardinals gave Notre Dame their closest game of the season outside of the loss to Northern Illinois. 

These two programs have never played one another, and they have rarely played in the Sun Bowl, either. Washington has played in the Sun Bowl four times but not since 2002. The program's only win came in 1979. Since Louisville only joined the ACC a little over a decade ago, you have to go all the way back to 1957 to catch the Cardinals' only appearance in El Paso -- a 34-20 win over Drake. 

[Dec 31, 2024 at 1:45 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Sun Bowl prediction, picks

Based on the season, Louisville would be substantial favorites to crush Washington. Even with several key opt outs, there's still plenty of talent remaining, headlined by Isaac Brown. Louisville's highly rated defense will be able to cause just enough mistakes from Washington QB Demond Williams and escape the battle as victors. Pick: Louisville -2.5

[Dec 31, 2024 at 1:25 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

New era 

While incumbent Washington quarterback Will Rogers will participate in the bowl game, true freshman Demond Williams will start his second straight game for the Huskies after debuting against Oregon. Against one of the best teams in college football, Williams posted 201 yards passing and a touchdown on only 20 pass attempts, completing 85% of his passes and recording a passer rating of 185.9. Williams is the future of the program, and that will continue against Louisville. 

[Dec 31, 2024 at 12:45 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Running back battle

While these two teams are known for passing, the running backs may be the best players on the team, especially in the bowl games. Washington's Jonah Coleman transferred to Seattle with first-year coach Jedd Fisch from Arizona, posting 184 carries for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season. However, Louisville running back Isaac Brown might be the most surprising breakout player in the ACC. The freshman exploded for 1,074 yards and 11 touchdowns on a mind-boggling 7.3 yards per carry. In a decimation of ACC champion Clemson, he posted 151 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. 

[Dec 31, 2024 at 12:05 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Key opt outs

After the 8-4 season for Louisville, several key players have declared for the NFL Draft and opted out of the bowl game -- most notably, quarterback Tyler Shough and wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks are both leaving to prepare for the draft. Both ranked top 20 nationally in passing yards and receiving yards per game, respectively. Star defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte will do the same after posting 26.5 sacks and 41 tackles for loss in four seasons. Washington linebacker Khmori House is the only major loss for the Huskies after transferring to North Carolina.