Louisville suffered a disappointing loss to California 29-26 in OT

November 8, 2025

The Louisville Cardinals hosted the California Golden Bears at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 8, 2025, in a highly anticipated ACC matchup. The Cardinals, ranked 14th, were looking to continue their winning streak against the visiting Golden Bears.

Cardinals’ Hopes Dashed in Overtime

Despite being favored by 20.5 points, the Cardinals suffered a crushing 29-26 overtime loss to the Golden Bears. The game was a closely contested one, with Louisville’s Miller Moss leading the charge for his team. However, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

Cal’s Upset Victory

California’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele proved to be a game-changer, leading his team to victory with precision passing. The Golden Bears’ defense also played a crucial role, holding the Cardinals’ high-powered offense to 26 points. This upset victory marked a significant win for Cal, who are looking to secure bowl eligibility.

Post-Game Reaction

After the game, Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance, citing “dumb penalties” as a major factor in the loss. He emphasized the need for his team to improve their decision-making and execution, particularly in critical situations.

Key Players

Some notable players who made significant contributions to the game include:

  • Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (Cal QB): Led the Golden Bears to victory with clutch passing.
  • Kendrick Raphael (Cal RB): Rushed for 46 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns.
  • Miller Moss (Louisville QB): Threw for points and showed great leadership.
  • Isaac Brown (Louisville RB): Rushed for yards and provided crucial support to the Cardinals’ offense.

Next Steps

The loss puts pressure on Louisville’s hopes for the ACC Championship and College Football Playoff. The Cardinals will look to bounce back against Clemson on November 14. For Cal, this win provides momentum as they aim to secure bowl eligibility.