Louisville football to play Toledo in Boca Raton Bowl
The University of Louisville football program has accepted a bid to play in Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 23, against Toledo.
The game will air on ESPN, with a 2 PM kickoff from Flagler Credit Union Stadium on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. The Cardinals haven’t faced the Rockets since 1981 and hold a 5-3 series advantage.
Both programs finished the regular season with an 8-4 record, Louisville ending the year with a 41-0 thumping over Kentucky. Toledo also ended its season on a high note, winning the final four games of the year and going unbeaten at home. The Rockets went 6-2 in the MAC and have consistently been a winning Group of Five program, appearing in a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season.
Statistically, head coach Jason Candle led one of the best defenses in the nation, holding the final four opponents to single digits and allowing 247.8 yards a game, third-best in the nation. Candle recently accepted the head coaching job at Connecticut and will not be with the Rockets throughout the bowl season. Defensive coordinator Vince Kehres will be the acting head coach, as the athletic department conducts a search.
Louisville’s defense was also dominant this fall, ending the regular season allowing just 21.1 points and 109.8 rushing yards. Last time out against Kentucky, Ron English’s group gave up 140 yards to the Wildcats. Toledo opened the season with a 24-16 loss at UK and also shares Bowling Green as a common opponent with Louisville. The Rockets lost to the Falcons 28-23 on Oct. 11.
You won’t have to look far to find Toledo’s last win over an ACC team. Last December, Toledo beat Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl in a thrilling six overtime. On the other hand, Louisville is aiming for its third consecutive nine-plus win season under head coach Jeff Brohm.
Louisville won a thrilling 35-34 Sun Bowl against Washington last New Year’s Eve, and is now making its 28th postseason appearance with a 13-13-1 record.
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