MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Louisville secured a spot in the ACC title game with a thrilling 38-31 victory over Miami on Saturday. The win propelled Louisville to a spot in the championship game for the first time in the school’s history, marking a historic achievement for coach Jeff Brohm in his first year leading the team.

Brohm’s return to Louisville, his hometown, was met with high expectations. After taking over as head coach, he guided the No. 10 Cardinals to their first ACC championship game appearance. His achievement is unprecedented, as Brohm becomes the first Power 5 coach to lead different teams to back-to-back conference championship games in consecutive years, having accomplished it with Purdue in the Big Ten last year.

The road to clinching the spot in the ACC title game was not an easy one for Louisville, as they had to battle back for a comeback victory against Florida State. Facing tough adversity, particularly with the Miami defense pressuring quarterback Jack Plummer, Louisville dug deep to secure the win. Plummer showcased his talent under pressure, throwing for 195 yards and three touchdown passes against Miami’s relentless blitz.

The critical moment came when Plummer led a quick scoring drive to break a tie game, throwing a 58-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Coleman. Miami had a last chance to even the score, but a pass from Tyler Van Dyke was intercepted just short of the goal line, securing the victory for Louisville.

For Brohm, the victory holds special significance. It demonstrates the dedication, hard work, and unity required to achieve success in football. Embracing the challenges and sacrifices involved in winning, Brohm was able to bring the team to a championship game in his first year, defying preseason predictions of Louisville’s eighth-place finish in the ACC media poll.

The win was a culmination of Brohm’s vision to rejuvenate the program and capitalize on the energy surrounding the team since his arrival. Louisville’s historic accomplishment has solidified their place in the ACC title game and serves as an example of determination and resilience in pursuing success in collegiate football.

Louisville’s victory over Miami showcases the remarkable achievements of a team that defied preseason expectations and rose to the challenge under the leadership of Coach Jeff Brohm. With their first ACC championship game appearance secured, Louisville has rewritten the narrative of their season and established themselves as a formidable contender in collegiate football.