Louisville secures 3534 win over Washington in 2024 Sun Bowl thriller
Dec 31, 2024
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Louisville Cardinals held on for a 35-34 win over the Washington Huskies in the 2024 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday.
FINAL: Louisville 35, Washington 34What a game!After a late touchdown to make it a one point game, Washington went for the win with the two point conversion in the last seconds of the contest but could not convert.Louisville hangs on for the win in the 2024 Sun Bowl. pic.twitter.com/Hoeq42Mklq— Sam Guzman (@SamGuzmanTV) December 31, 2024
The game came down to the final drive. Trailing 35-28 in the fourth quarter, Washington freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. connected with Giles Jackson for a touchdown to make it a one-point game, 35-34, with nine seconds left in the game.
Washington then decided to go for two and win the game in regulation. On the two-point attempt, Williams Jr. targeted Jackson once again, but the pass was incomplete and that pretty much sealed the deal for Louisville.
ANTONIO WATTS MAKES THE PLAY FOR @LouisvilleFB!! pic.twitter.com/Z68I7Yfxt2— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 31, 2024
Washington did go for an onside kick but did not regain possession on the attempt.
MAYHEM! Washington nearly comes up with the onside kick. pic.twitter.com/ZFoVh89gCL— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 31, 2024
With the win, Louisville ends its 2024 season with a win and with a 9-4 overall record.
Louisville quarterback Harrison Bailey, who finished the day 16-25 with three touchdown passes, won the Sun Bowl's C.M. Hendricks Most Valuable Player award. Louisville’s backfield duo of Isaac Brown and Duke Watson combined to rush the ball 28 times for 182 yards.
Washington also had players ball out in Tuesday's game.
This was absolutely nuts.pic.twitter.com/rDSk7xxVyR— Sam Guzman (@SamGuzmanTV) December 31, 2024
Williams Jr. completed 26 of 32 passes for 374 passing yards in the contest. Williams Jr. threw four touchdown passes. All four of Williams Jr.'s touchdown tosses went to wide receiver Giles Jackson.
In his final game with Washington, Jackson caught 11 passes for 161 receiving yards and had four touchdown catches. His four receiving touchdowns set a Sun Bowl record.
GILES JACKSON FOR HIS 4TH TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/dYksVmKbLq— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 31, 2024
With the loss, Washington ends its first season under the direction of head coach Jedd Fisch with a 6-7 overall record.
Washington is now 1-4 all-time in Sun Bowl. Washington's last Sun Bowl win came in its first appearance in the bowl game in 1979.
The listed attendance for the 2024 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game was 40,826.