• ROSTER
• |
• COACHES
• |
• SCHEDULE
• |
• STATS
• |
• NEWS
• |
• ARCHIVES
• |
• PHOTOS

Oct. 4, 2001

Quotes |  Notes

Audio
John L. Smith's Postgame Press Conference

By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Dave Ragone threw for 213 yards and a touchdown and overcame three turnovers as Louisville beat Colorado State 7-2 on Thursday night.

The Cardinals (5-1) won with their defense, which forced four turnovers and held the Rams (2-3) to 148 total yards. Colorado State failed to score a touchdown for the first time since a 24-0 loss to Air Force in 1997.

Louisville's defense controlled the first half, holding Colorado State to just 53 total yards and two first downs. The Cardinals' offense did its part in the first two quarters - with the exception of scoring points - running 22 more plays and winning time of possession by 10 minutes.

Ragone finished the half 14-for-18 for 118 yards. He went 6-for-6 on a 13-play drive bridging the first and second quarters, but fumbled a snap from center Ariel Rodriguez at the Colorado State 2.

The Rams reached the Louisville 34 on their ensuing drive before Dewayne White sacked quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt and forced a fumble. Koby Clark recovered at the Rams 46, and Ragone capped an 11-play drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Zek Parker with six minutes left in the half.

The Cardinals got the ball back near midfield two minutes later, but Ragone was sacked by Dexter Wynn on third down from the Rams 41. They threatened again late in the third quarter, but Nathan Smith missed a 36-yard field-goal try.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, Louisville safety Anthony Floyd burst through the line and swatted Joey Huber's punt attempt out of bounds at the Rams 24.

Ragone threw a pass while he was being sacked and Colorado State linebacker Drew Wood intercepted it at the Rams 15.

Van Pelt threw consecutive interceptions later in the quarter. The second interception, by safety Curry Burns, gave Louisville the ball at its own 11 with 8:06 left in the game. The drive stalled without a first down, and Colorado State defensive end Andre Sommersall batted Wade Tydlacka's punt try out of the back of Louisville's end zone for a safety with 5:56 remaining.

The Cardinals appeared to seal the win when Josh Minkins broke up Van Pelt's pass on fourth down with under three minutes left. But Colorado State safety Ameer Lowe picked off Ragone's pass at the Louisville 31 with 1:55 left to give his team one last chance.

Michael Josiah sacked Van Pelt at the 39 on third down with 32 seconds left, and Ronnie Gallishaw intercepted Van Pelt's desperation pass in the end zone with 22 seconds remaining.

Van Pelt, a Michigan State transfer making just his second career start, finished 10-for-23 for 87 yards.

Ragone went 20-for-28.

The Cardinals, who entered the game averaging 32 points, were held to their lowest output since a 31-0 loss to Florida State last season.