LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Dominique Brown's 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and Gerald Christian's 10-yard TD catch late in the fourth backed Louisville's big defensive performance that helped beat Miami 31-13 Monday night.
The victory provided a successful Atlantic Coast Conference debut for the Cardinals and to Bobby Petrino's second coaching stint at the school.
Despite the 18-point margin, Louisville showed little of the offensive efficiency expected in Petrino's return as the Cardinals outgained the Hurricanes 336-244 in a ragged game offensively for both teams. Louisville's new 3-4 defense provided the saving grace with three takeaways, including one that followed a costly fumble by Cardinals quarterback Will Gardner inside his 15.
After Louisville held Miami to a field goal following Gardner's second fumble in the third quarter, Brown's TD provided a 21-13 cushion. Christian's scoring pass from Gardner with 1:43 remaining sealed the win.
Corvin Lamb's 97-yard kickoff return for a TD just before halftime provided the go-ahead score for Louisville, which had to withstand several Miami threats from there for a win that wasn't decided until late.
Gerod Holliman's interception of Hurricanes freshman Brad Kaaya and 61-yard return to Miami's 36 as time expired punctuated Louisville's gutsy defense.