CHARLOTTE —  After a pivotal victory for the Louisville Cardinals last year, they received national attention and hopes of a championship run.

The Clemson Tigers were the defeated team, losing at home to the Cardinals last November. The victory was unprecedented to many, and national media began to view them as a potential ACC title contender and a force to be reckoned with.

Head coach Jeff Brohm attended the ACC Media Kickoff in Charlotte, NC, this week with a few of his players, and he spoke about the value of the victory against Clemson and what it would mean if they could repeat it at home this upcoming season.

“It was a great moment for our program,” Brohm said. “That’s a great venue to play in, and a very talented team. We played well, and it was a really good football game for us.”

The Cardinals ended up finishing the season at 9-4, with impressive wins, including Washington in the Sun Bowl, a blowout at Kentucky, and their victory against the Tigers. Looking into 2025, expectations are high for Louisville, and the team has hope to earn another victory against Clemson

“I think that would mean a tremendous amount,” transfer quarterback Miller Moss said of the possibility of beating Clemson this year. “Obviously, they are the standard when it comes to ACC football. I don’t think anyone is shying away from that in terms of what they were able to do in the four-team playoffs, and then winning the conference last year. So, all credit to them.”

The Tigers were able to rebound for the rest of the year, defeating the SMU Mustangs in the ACC Championship 34-31 on a last-second field goal from kicker Nolan Hauser. Following that victory, Clemson earned a bid in the first season of the revamped 12-team College Football Playoff.

Considering the impact that Louisville’s 2024 victory over Clemson had on the confidence of the team, a victory for them again would be huge this year. Clemson is ranked at the top of many early rankings, including ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Rankings, so it will still be a challenge.

“I’m sure that Clemson will be ready to go for the next time they play us, and we’ll get their A-game,” Brohm said. “That’s what you’re always excited to do, play great football teams, and the fact that we are capable of winning those is a great thing.”

The Cardinals are ranked No. 24 by Sports Illustrated coming into the new season, and they have their eyes set on more than the Sun Bowl. If they can earn another victory against Clemson, they have a strong chance of being able to contend for the ACC Championship.

“I feel like that’s the next step,” receiver Chris Bell said when asked if a run for the title would be next.

The Cardinals will face the Tigers on November 14 at 8 p.m. in Louisville, Kentucky at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.

Photo courtesy of Jim Dedmon/IMAGN Images