Watch: Baffling delay-of-game penalty costs Louisville in loss

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough is hit as he throws by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Loghan Thomas. Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Watch: Baffling delay-of-game penalty on a QB sneak costs Louisville in loss to Notre Dame

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Sep 28, 2024 7:35 PM ET

The No. 15-ranked Louisville Cardinals lost a tough 31-24 decision to the No. 16-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, and a baffling penalty on their potential game-tying drive is going to stand out as a huge missed opportunity.

After taking over at midfield with just under three minutes to play in regulation, Louisville found itself in a 4th-and-inches situation at the Notre Dame 41-yard line.

It was a perfect opportunity for a quarterback sneak or some kind of play that could push the line forward to keep the drive going.

There was just one problem.

Louisville could not get the snap off on time and took one of the most poorly timed delay-of-game penalties you could ever possibly imagine

The Cards shoot themselves in the foot with a costly DELAY OF GAME! Then Shough forces a questionable pass into double coverage, but no PI is called.

No. 16 Notre Dame takes down No. 15 Louisville, 31-24. pic.twitter.com/cOKBJSlTfE
— 35KYSports (@35KYSportsMedia) September 28, 2024

Louisville was unable to convert the ensuing 4th-and-6 play, turned the ball over on downs and lost by a touchdown.

It is simply the type of mistake that cannot happen in that situation, especially with an experienced quarterback — Tyler Shough — who has been playing college football for seven years. The responsibility has to fall on him and the coaching staff for allowing something like that to happen in that spot.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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