John Wallace field goal lifts Louisville over Cincinnati in overtime

Louisville, KY, United States (4E Sports) – John Wallace buried a 30-yard field goal in overtime as the 16th-ranked Louisville Cardinals kept their immaculate record with a 34-31 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats Friday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

With the victory, the Cardinals are 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big East for the first time since the 2006 season. It was the Cardinals’ first overtime victory since Nov. 14, 2002, when Louisville defeated Southern Miss, 20-17, in two extra periods.

“No I didn’t say anything to him. That’s his job to go make the field goal. I didn’t say anything. We do it every day in practice, so I had confidence in him. He hit it, and we won the football game,” Cardinals head coach Charlie Strong said of Wallace.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed 24 of 41 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns, all to wide receiver DeVante Parker in the fourth period to give the Cardinals a 31-24 lead.

“On my second catch, I just came out, shook the defensive back and got in the open field and scored. The first catch was just a simple post and I just released and came out with the ball, said Parker, who finished with 120 yards on four catches for his second 100-plus yard game of the season.

Running backs Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry each scored a touchdown in the first and second quarter, respectively. Wright led the rushing corps with 74 yards on 18 carries while Perry had 36 yards on 13 tries.

Cornerback Terrel Floyd also played a key role in the victory when he intercepted Munchie Legaux’s pass in overtime.

“The quarterback was locked on the receiver and I knew he was going to throw the ball. I just went under the receiver and got the pick,” Floyd said.

Then, Wright and Perry rushed for a combined 16 yards to put Wallace in position for the game-winning 30-yard field goal.

Legaux finished 13-for-28 for 157 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. He also ran for 32 yards on five carries and a score for the Bearcats (5-2, 1-1 Big East).

“The cornerback did a great job on breaking and reacting on the ball, and he made a great play. That’s one of the plays you wish you could have back, but you live or die with it,” Legaux said of Floyd’s interception.

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