This story will be updated.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A week removed from its first loss of the season at Notre Dame, the Louisville football program’s struggles continued in South Bend at home against ACC newcomer SMU, losing 34-27 at L&N Stadium on Saturday.

The No. 22 Cardinals (3-2, 1-1 ACC) suffer their first conference loss of the season and lose their second straight game, while the Mustangs (5-1, 2-0 ACC) lose their third straight since then win The quarterback switches to Kevin Jennings.

The offenses on both sides started fast and furious, with each team scoring on their first two drives of the day. SMU broke the scoring seal with a five-yard touchdown by Roderick Daniels Jr., which Louisville countered with a six-yard score through the air by Ja’Corey Brooks.

Preston Stone, who was substituted at the start of the season, had to come on for a play after Jennings was briefly injured. However, he caused a stir with a 10-yard touchdown toss to Key’Shawn Smith, capping SMU’s second drive.

A potential turning point came when Louisville responded again with a score, but had to settle for a 46-yard field goal instead of a touchdown. Then, after both teams traded punts early in the second quarter, the Mustangs caught the Cardinals napping with a 59-yard touchdown keeper by Jennings.

Louisville was again only able to respond with a 41-yard field goal, but SMU had enough time before halftime to hit a 55-yarder of their own, taking a 24-13 lead into the locker room.

As the teams returned, the momentum began to shift in the opposite direction.

When Louisville received the ball early in the second half, it finally found its offensive rhythm and scored a much-needed touchdown on a one-yard run by Chaney. After holding off SMU with a 43-yard field goal, the Cardinals struck again with an explosive 86-yard touchdown from Brooks to tie the game.

On the Mustangs’ ensuing drive, they scored a 50-yard field goal, giving Louisville a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. However, their drive stalled just inside the red zone, and Louisville avoided a short field goal to score on fourth down that came up short.

This development would prove costly towards the end of the fourth quarter. Using a drive that included an overruled fumble, SMU managed to turn the ball in from a yard out with 6:39 left to take a late lead. Louisville managed to get past midfield, but that was all they would manage.

Next up, Louisville will return to the Virginia showdown. Kickoff against the Cavaliers is scheduled for Saturday, October 12th at 3:30 p.m. EST.

(Photo by Isaac Brown: Scott Utterback – Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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