They blew a field goal, lost two fumbles and dropped a potential touchdown pass. But despite the rash of mistakes, there was no stopping the Cardinals from their first major-bowl victory in 15 years.
Anthony Allen scored two touchdowns - one on a trick play - and Brian Brohm threw for 311 yards to lead Louisville past Wake Forest 24-13 Tuesday night.
The Cardinals averaged 39 points and ranked second in the nation in total offense this season but fell behind 13-10 in the final period before their offense went into high gear. Touchdown drives of 81 and 71 yards on consecutive possessions sealed their first win in a major bowl since the 1991 Fiesta Bowl.
No. 5 Louisville went 12-1 to ensure its best-ever final ranking. The No. 15 Demon Deacons slipped to 11-3, still their best season.
For three quarters, squandered opportunities plagued the Cardinals. They lost two fumbles in Wake Forest territory, Mario Urrutia dropped a potential 62-yard TD pass, and Art Carmody - the Lou Groza Award winner - was wide right on a 32-yard field goal, only his fourth miss this season.
Alphonso Smith nearly blocked Carmody
