NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Terell Floyd returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown on the first play, dual-threat quarterback Teddy Bridgewater directed several scoring drives and No. 22 Louisville surprised No. 4 Florida 33-23 Wednesday night in the Sugar Bowl. Shaking off an early hit that flattened him and knocked off his helmet, Bridgewater came back to throw TD passes to DeVante Parker and Damian Copeland. The two-touchdown underdogs from the Big East took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and were never caught. It certainly was a sweet win for Cardinals coach Charlie Strong — he was Florida's defensive coordinator before leaving after the 2009 season and taking over Louisville. Down 33-10 midway through the fourth period, the one-loss power from the Southeastern Conference tried to rally late on a 100-yard kickoff return by Andre Debose and a short touchdown pass in the closing minutes. Florida got no closer.
Louisville upsets Florida 33-23 in Sugar Bowl
You are here
-
Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws prior to the start of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
-
Florida linebacker Jon Bostic (1) hits Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) hard enough to dislodge his helmet in the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
-
Louisville safety Calvin Pryor (25) causes Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) to fumble the ball during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. Louisville recovered and scored on the next play. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
-
Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker (9)celebrates with wide receiver Damian Copeland (7) after catching a touchdown pass in the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
-
Louisville running back Jeremy Wright (28) has his helmet knocked off by Florida linebacker Jon Bostic (1) as Florida defensive lineman Dominique Easley (2) pursues in the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
-
Florida defensive back Josh Evans (9) stops Louisville running back Jeremy Wright (28) after a short game and the loss of his helmet in the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
-
Louisville running back Jeremy Wright (28) scores a first quarter touchdown as Florida linebacker Darrin Kitchens (49) and linebacker Antonio Morrison (12) defend in the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
-
Louisville head coach Charlie Strong talks with his players in the first half against Florida in the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
-
Florida head coach Will Muschamp argues with an official in the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Louisville Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Comments