Final Score:Marshall 17, Louisville 13

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Freshman quarterback Rakeem Cato led the way completing 18-of-30 passes, for 236 yards and two scores as the Marshall Thundering Herd defeated Louisville 17-13 at Papa John's Stadium.

Cato completed a pass to 10 different receivers during the game, led by Andrew Booker, who recorded three catches for 66 yards. Marshall (2-3) turned to Travon Van to change the pace as he ran for 54 yards on 15 carries. The Marshall defensive unit played exceptionally well for head coach Doc Holliday. Louisville was held to 2.1 yards per attempt on the ground. Five different Marshall players recorded a sack and both Tyson Gale and Omar Brown recorded interceptions at key moments to contribute to the road victory.

Louisville (2-2) was led by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who completed 20-of-29 passes for 221 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown. Hakeem Smith led the Cardinals' defense with 10 tackles. The defense recorded eight tackles for loss and held Marshall's running backs to an average of just 2.6 yards per carry.

Marshall opened up the game with a 12-play drive which ended with a two-yard pass from Cato to Jazz King to give the Thundering Herd an early 7-0 lead.

The second quarter belonged to Louisville, as the Cardinals scored two touchdowns, evening the score with a nine-yard Bridgewater touchdown trot with under four minutes left in the first half and taking the lead with under a minute remaining as Bridgewater completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to Victor Anderson. Marshall blocked the extra point attempt to keep the Louisville lead at 13-7 going into the half.

After the majority of the third quarter went by without a score, kicker Justin Haig made a 24-yard chip shot to bring the Thundering Herd within three as the defensive battle progressed into the final period.

Trailing by three in the fourth quarter, the Marshall defense came up big as Tyson Gale intercepted Bridgewater giving the Thundering Herd a very short field. Five plays later, Cato tossed a three-yard pass to C.J. Crawford to give Marshall a 17-13 lead with under two minutes remaining in the contest.

The Thundering Herd then sealed the victory on the second play of the ensuing drive when Omar Brown picked off Bridgewater.

Marshall outgained Louisville in total offensive yards, 353-281. This was the 28th meeting between the two programs. Louisville now leads 16-12 in the all- time series.