CLEMSON, S.C. — — Louisville had hoped to achieve several firsts this season. Despite the setbacks of the past month that knocked the Cardinals out of ACC title contention, they cheerfully celebrated their first win over No. 11 Clemson on Saturday night.

Isaac Brown ran for a career-high 151 yards and a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter and quarterback Tyler Shough completed a somersault in the end zone to put the Cardinals ahead and stay in their 33-21 win and an 0-8 career mark to achieve against the Tigers.

“I think it’s special,” said defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte, a senior who had lost twice to the Tigers. “I think the boys were waiting for this. I think it feels good to have that stamp, to leave our mark on history.”

And the way the Cardinals (6-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) played, the outcome wasn’t that close.

Brown and Shough provided the offense as Louisville stopped the Tigers on downs deep in their own territory, blocking a pair of field goals and recovering both onside kicks after Clemson’s desperate rally in the fourth quarter.

“Our players and coaches fought all week,” Louisville coach Jeff Brohm said. “It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t easy, but we kept fighting. We have guys who continue to develop and play hard.”

Those were qualities that Brohm hoped could lead Louisville back to the ACC title game, where it lost to Florida State last year, and perhaps even to the College Football Playoff.

After a 3-0 start, the Cardinals dropped three of their next five games, falling out of contention. They showed that they still have plenty to play for.

“To go out in this environment against a really good team that was hot” in Clemson, Brohm said. “We made plays, we played tempo, we got stops, we were solid in our defensive play, just a lot of things.”

One was Brown, a freshman playing in his fourth game with 100 or more rushing yards. He has racked up 847 yards this season, falling within striking distance of the Heisman Trophy winner and two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson’s 2015 freshman school record of 960 yards.

When the Tigers closed at 26-14 midway through the final period, Brown ended any hopes of a rally with a 45-yard touchdown run.

Shough, the Cardinals’ quarterback, put them ahead for good in the second quarter with a four-yard burst and finished with a somersault into the end zone for a 10-7 lead.

Brock Travelstead tied his career high with four field goals as Louisville qualified for a bowl game.

The Cardinals also severely damaged Clemson’s hopes of playing for an ACC title and reaching the College Football Playoff. The Tigers (6-2, 5-1) were among four undefeated ACC teams when the week started and now need outside help for the season in the final month.

“We can’t control our destiny anymore, which is really sad,” Clemson safety RJ Mickens said. “But we are professionals, this is our job, this is what we do. I feel like guys are going to show up and be their best no matter what our record is.

Travelstead, who was 9 of 15 on field goals this season, made kicks of 21, 42, 40 and 49 yards to match his career high from last season twice.

Clemson tailback Phil Mafah had 171 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t play our best game tonight and we didn’t deserve to win,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We looked like a very poorly coached team tonight. That’s on me.”

The takeaway
Louisville: The Cardinals’ defense has been the weak point during their 2/3 deficit after a 3-0 start, allowing nearly 33 points per game over the past five games. But Louisville had more than enough to stuff the Tigers, including on a fourth-and-1 in the third quarter when Clemson was desperate to keep a drive alive.

Clemson: The Tigers dug themselves out of the hole after their loss to Georgia in the season opener before falling to Louisville. Even winning their last four games does not guarantee they will play for a league title.

Perry’s condition
Linebacker Ben Perry was on the field for some time in the first half before being helped to the sideline under his own power. But he was soon placed on a stretcher with his neck stabilized and taken to an ambulance for tests.

Brohm had no update on his condition, but Perry celebrated Louisville’s win on social media.

Shough’s spin
Shough, of Louisville, didn’t expect to go into the air for his score, but when he saw defenders closing in, he thought, “Either I trick him or I jump.” I’m just going to jump here,” he said. “It wasn’t too bad in the end. It was fun though. I still have it in me.”

Next
Louisville is off before heading to Stanford on Nov. 16.

Clemson plays at Virginia Tech next Saturday.

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