Cardinals Drop Third ACC Game by One Score in Hard-Fought Home Finale LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville football team suffered another heartbreaking defeat on Friday night, falling 20–19 to Clemson at L&N Stadium in a matchup defined by momentum swings, defensive stands, and missed scoring chances. The loss marked Louisville’s third ACC setback of the season decided by three points or fewer, halting the Cardinals’ push to climb the conference standings. Louisville had multiple chances to retake the lead in the final minutes — including two field goal attempts and a short-field possession following a Clemson mistake — but stalled drives, penalties, and two missed kicks ultimately sealed the one-point loss. Strong Start and Tight First Half Clemson opened the scoring with a steady 12-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 27-yard field goal. Louisville answered late in the first quarter when kicker Cooper Ranvier drilled a career-long 51-yard field goal to tie the game at 3–3. Louisville’s defense produced the first major swing early in the second quarter, forcing a punt and giving the Cardinals excellent field position. Three plays later, quarterback Miller Moss finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. A missed PAT kept the lead at 9–3. Momentum shifted moments later when Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell forced and recovered a fumble at the Louisville 25-yard line. On the next snap, running back Adam Randall sprinted 25 yards for a touchdown, sending the Tigers into halftime ahead 10–9. Louisville Regains Control in the Third Quarter The Cardinals opened the second half with one of their most creative drives of the season. After moving 75 yards in seven plays, wide receiver Caullin Lacy took a flip from Moss and lofted a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nate Kurisky, putting Louisville ahead 16–10. Clemson responded with a 48-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser before Ranvier added a 39-yard field goal to push the Louisville lead to 19–13. Louisville’s offense continued to move efficiently. Running back Keyjuan Brown delivered his second straight dominant performance, rushing for 135 yards on 14 carries. Moss added 212 yards through the air, and Lacy contributed four catches for 60 yards along with his touchdown throw. Clemson’s Late Push Turns the Tide Clemson seized control in the fourth quarter with the game’s defining drive. Randall broke free for a 46-yard run, setting up a six-play, 56-yard march that he capped with a one-yard touchdown plunge on fourth-and-goal. The Tigers reclaimed the lead 20–19 with 7:16 remaining. Louisville came inches from answering back. After crossing midfield with a well-executed trick play, the Cardinals faced a drive-stalling sack that forced a 50-yard field goal attempt. Ranvier’s kick missed wide left. A muffed Clemson punt moments later gave Louisville a golden chance at the Tigers’ 23-yard line. But penalties pushed the Cardinals backward, and backup kicker Nick Keller’s 46-yard attempt also missed, leaving Clemson clinging to its one-point lead. Louisville had one final possession with 30 seconds left but failed to reach midfield before turning the ball over on downs. Clemson’s defense — opportunistic all game — delivered the closing stand. Defensive Standouts and Key Performances Louisville’s defense kept the team within striking distance throughout the night. Antonio Watts and Stanquan Clark each finished with seven tackles, and Watts added a key forced fumble in the second quarter. Defensive lineman Clev Lubin recorded Louisville’s lone sack. On offense, Moss played efficiently under pressure, Brown ran with authority for his second straight 130-yard effort, and Lacy continued his emergence as a versatile weapon. Kurisky’s short touchdown grab also highlighted one of Louisville’s most creative scoring plays of the season. For Clemson, Randall posted a career night with 132 total yards and both Tiger touchdowns. Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 187 yards without committing a turnover, and the Clemson defense delivered multiple pivotal plays — including a late third-down sack that prevented a potential Louisville scoring drive. Final Takeaway Louisville’s 20–19 loss was defined by missed opportunities, costly penalties, and two critical missed field goals in the final minutes. Despite strong individual performances and consistent offensive movement, the Cardinals were unable to convert when it mattered most. Louisville now turns its attention to a challenging road matchup at SMU, aiming to rebound from another narrow defeat and close out ACC play with renewed urgency and focus.

Aylward’s Career Night Propels Hokies Past Blue Devils 3–2 DURHAM, N.C. — In a back-and-forth thriller inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Virginia Tech Hokies defeated Duke in five sets (29–27, 18–25, 25–22, 20–25, 16–14) on Thursday night. The victory marked the Hokies’ 11th win of the season and their third in ACC play, improving to 11–15 overall and 3–10 in the conference. The match was highlighted by a breakout performance from senior outside hitter Elizabeth Aylward , who delivered 15 kills, 11 digs, and four blocks on .375 hitting. Her complete performance fueled the Hokies in critical stretches and helped secure their second five-set win of the season. Virginia Tech also dominated defensively, finishing with a season-high 97 digs and a 9–4 blocking edge. Their ability to extend rallies and disrupt Duke’s attack was a major factor in the victory. Set One: Hokies Edge Duke in Overtime The first set featured 17 ties and five lead changes, setting the tone for a marathon battle. Duke seemed poised to close out the frame after taking a 24–22 lead behind strong swings from Ashby Zubchevich and Taylor Williams . But the Hokies refused to fold. A crucial block by Isabella Mishler and Reese Hazelton tied the score, and Aylward followed with a clutch kill to give Virginia Tech the lead. Another front-row block sealed the 29–27 win for the Hokies and gave them early momentum. Set Two: Duke Responds Duke stormed back in the second set, using a 9–0 run to break open a tight frame. Williams delivered several key kills during the surge, and the Blue Devils took control with improved passing and aggressive swings. Virginia Tech attempted a late comeback but could not overcome the deficit, falling 25–18 as Duke evened the match. Set Three: Virginia Tech Regains Control The Hokies responded with their most dominant stretch of the night, jumping out to a 5–0 lead. Mishler provided a spark with four kills and two blocks, helping Virginia Tech build a commanding 19–8 advantage. Duke mounted a late rally, cutting the score to 23–22 behind the defensive efforts of libero Avery Hamlin , but the Hokies held firm. A kill from Aisha Keric set up set point, and an ace from Ivy Cooper closed the frame at 25–22 , putting Virginia Tech ahead 2–1. Set Four: Duke Forces a Decider Facing elimination, the Blue Devils played with urgency in the fourth. Zubchevich and Williams ignited the offense, while Duke’s defense produced multiple extended rallies to frustrate the Hokies. Virginia Tech made a late push, but Duke maintained composure and secured the 25–20 win to force a fifth set. Set Five: Hokies Win the Decisive Battle The final set mirrored the match’s intensity. Virginia Tech started strong with a 6–2 lead, but Duke surged back to tie the score at 7–7. The teams traded points to 14–14, with neither side giving an inch. In the biggest moments of the night, Aylward delivered once again. Her final two kills clinched the 16–14 win and capped one of her most efficient performances of the season. The Hokies hit .294 in the deciding set while holding Duke to .176, showcasing their poise when the pressure peaked. Looking Ahead The win gives Virginia Tech momentum as they prepare to face No. 15 North Carolina on Sunday at Carmichael Arena. With improvements in defense and blocking, the Hokies appear to be building confidence heading into the final stretch of ACC play. Duke, now 5–21 (2–13 ACC), remains at home to host Virginia on Sunday afternoon. Despite the loss, the Blue Devils’ fight in the fourth and fifth sets showed strong potential as they work to finish the season on a high note. Final Takeaway Virginia Tech’s 3–2 victory over Duke was a complete display of resilience, defense, and timely execution. Aylward’s career night, paired with the Hokies’ season-best back-row performance, allowed them to overcome Duke’s power and home-court energy. While Duke pushed the match to its limits, Virginia Tech’s ability to close under pressure delivered one of its most impressive wins of the season — a statement road performance in one of the ACC’s most challenging venues.

Blackshear, Cresse, and Sherman Combine for 24 Blocks as Cardinals Earn 21st Win LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The No. 7-ranked University of Louisville volleyball team delivered a commanding performance Thursday night, defeating Florida State in four sets ( 25–20, 19–25, 25–19, 25–19 ) at L&N Federal Credit Union Arena. The victory marked the Cardinals’ 21st win of the season , improving their record to 21–4 overall and 13–2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference , while the Seminoles dropped to 13–11 (7–8 ACC) . Louisville’s victory was anchored by an elite display at the net. Kalyssa Blackshear , Cara Cresse , and Hannah Sherman combined for 24 of the team’s 16 total blocks , controlling momentum throughout the match. The Cardinals also recorded 51 kills , hit .196 as a team, and produced five aces , using balance and defensive consistency to overcome Florida State’s strong early push. Louisville’s Blocking Defines the Match The Cardinals’ front line was the difference from start to finish. Blackshear and Cresse each paired stellar defense with offensive production, posting 13 and 10 kills , respectively, while Sherman added eight blocks and seven kills in one of her most complete outings of the season. Payton Petersen and Nayelis Cabello each registered their eighth double-double of the year. Petersen finished with 13 kills and 10 digs , while Cabello set a new career high with 17 digs to accompany 41 assists . Chloe Chicoine added nine kills and 15 digs, and libero Kamden Schrand tallied 14 digs and a service ace. Louisville’s dominance at the net disrupted Florida State’s offensive rhythm, holding the Seminoles to a .159 hitting percentage — well below their season average. Set One: Louisville Surges Late Florida State opened fast, jumping to a 4–0 lead with back-to-back aces from Kyleene Filimaua . Louisville quickly regrouped with a 3–0 run , and by the media timeout, the Seminoles held a narrow 15–12 edge behind Filimaua and Iane Henke . A block by Cresse and a setter dump from Cabello tied the set at 15–15, forcing a timeout from Florida State. Moments later, Petersen’s ace gave Louisville its first lead at 16–15 , and the Cardinals controlled the tempo from there. Blackshear and Sherman combined for a key block at 24–20 before Sherman finished the set with a kill, closing it 25–20 . Louisville limited the Seminoles to .214 hitting in the opener, with Blackshear and Cresse leading offensively with three kills each. Set Two: Florida State Responds The Seminoles once again opened strong, racing to a 4–0 lead and maintaining steady pressure through the midway point. Louisville rallied to tie at 15–15 , but Florida State closed on a 6–1 run behind Filimaua and Henke to claim the set 25–19 and even the match at one set apiece. Filimaua dominated the frame, registering six kills , while setter Lily Nicholson tallied nine assists and five digs , guiding the Seminoles to a .278 hitting percentage , their best of the night. Set Three: Louisville Reasserts Control The third set opened as a tight battle with multiple lead changes before Louisville pulled ahead 15–13 at the media timeout. Chicoine sparked the surge with her fifth kill of the match, and the Cardinals followed with a 6–0 run , fueled by an ace from Cabello and back-to-back blocks from Sherman and Blackshear. Florida State cut the deficit to 22–18 , but a service error gave Louisville set point, and Cresse finished with a kill to seal the 25–19 win. Louisville’s blocking again proved decisive, posting five team blocks in the frame while limiting Florida State to .136 hitting . Cresse and Blackshear each added three kills as Cabello distributed 13 assists. Set Four: Cardinals Close Out in Style Louisville carried its momentum into the fourth and final set, never trailing after taking an early 10–8 lead . Kills from Petersen, Cresse, and Chicoine, combined with two early blocks from Sherman and Blackshear, extended the advantage to 15–9 . After a Florida State timeout, the Cardinals maintained control with relentless defense and crisp transitions. Petersen’s 13th kill pushed the lead to 22–17 before Blackshear’s final point and Cresse’s 10th kill sealed the set 25–19 , clinching the 3–1 match victory . Louisville closed with its most efficient offensive frame, hitting .257 while holding Florida State to .150 . Florida State’s Effort and Key Performers Despite the loss, Florida State showed flashes of top-tier play, especially in the first two sets. Kyleene Filimaua led all players with 20 kills and 11 digs , marking her sixth 20-kill performance of the season . She also accounted for all three of the Seminoles’ aces. Iane Henke added 11 kills , while Payton Whalen chipped in seven . Nicholson guided the offense with 21 assists and a team-high 17 digs , matching a career best. Overall, Florida State totaled 53 kills , hitting .159 with nine blocks but struggled to maintain consistency late. Numbers Behind the Win Louisville’s statistical edge stemmed from its control at the net. The Cardinals’ 16 total blocks tied their second-highest mark of the season , and their five aces balanced a distributed offense in which five players registered multiple kills. Cabello’s leadership at setter anchored the victory. Her 41 assists fueled a balanced attack that featured three players in double figures — Petersen, Blackshear, and Cresse — while Chicoine and Sherman added valuable support. Defensively, Louisville out-dug Florida State 67–61 and forced 28 Seminole errors , illustrating the Cardinals’ trademark discipline and depth. Looking Ahead The victory was Louisville’s 10th in its last 11 matches , keeping the Cardinals firmly in the ACC title race. They return home Sunday, November 16 , to host No. 14 Miami on Senior Day, where veterans Cara Cresse and Molly Wilson will be honored. Florida State will look to bounce back quickly when it travels to South Bend to face Notre Dame . The Seminoles remain in the hunt for a top-half ACC finish and will focus on improving serve-receive consistency and blocking cohesion. Final Takeaway Louisville’s 3–1 win over Florida State showcased the Cardinals’ trademark formula — elite blocking, balanced scoring, and relentless defensive effort. Blackshear, Cresse, and Sherman’s combined 24 blocks anchored a statement victory that reinforced Louisville’s status among the ACC’s elite. For Florida State, the match offered both positives and hard lessons — strong starts and individual brilliance undone by Louisville’s consistency and control. As the postseason nears, the Cardinals continue to look every bit the contender they were projected to be — a team defined by structure, leadership, and a championship-caliber front line.