Notre Dame football loses to UofL | Instant Analysis

MVP. It's hard to pick this in such a tight game, but I'll give it to Brandon Radcliff for Louisville and Everett Golson for Notre Dame. Radcliff was a train in the second half. He took two carries for nine yards in the opening half, but his physical, bruising running gave Louisville a big jolt after the Cards' offense staggered a bit in the second quarter. He had 100 rushing yards in the third quarter alone. Even with an interception on his own end of the field and a near-lost fumble, Golson was the lifeblood of Notre Dame's offense, escaping pressure, making smart decisions (most of the time) and keeping the Irish in the game to the end.

Bowl possibilities | Orange Bowl still in play for Cards

Play of the game. I don't know what else it could even be: Kyle Brindza pushed the game-tying field-goal attempt wide with 51 seconds left. Notre Dame did well to get into the red zone, but the Irish once again had to settle for a field-goal try. Ballgame.

Turning point. Had to be the first-and-goal stand that Louisville had to force Notre Dame's field-goal attempt. The Cards' defense held up a win and delivered that marquee victory U of L wanted so badly with this schedule.

Game Rewind: Notre Dame football falls to Louisville

Surprise. This would've never surprised me earlier this season, but Louisville's offensive line had a heck of a struggle on Saturday with penalties and miscues. Don't get me wrong -- the hogs got tons of push in helping the Cards push out more than 200 rushing yards. But there were several painful false starts and other offensive-line penalties that came at bad times. For a line that played really well in recent weeks, Saturday's problems were actually a bit surprising.

Facebook Discussion | Where do you rank this win?

Final takeaways. Like I said, Louisville wanted to win one of its four major games this season. I know Notre Dame isn't exactly Notre Dame this year, but a win here at this hallowed stadium, with all of its history, in the first meeting between the programs is a big deal. Louisville earned it, too.

Now the Cards have thrust themselves back into the hunt for a bigger bowl -- and even 10 wins.