Oct. 28, 2000

Box Score

By CHRIS DUNCAN
Associated Press Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Dave Ragone threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as Louisville stayed in the race for the Conference USA title with a 35-32 victory over Tulane on Saturday.

Arnold Jackson caught two of Ragone's scoring passes and moved within two of Ibn Green's school and league record for career touchdown receptions with 33. Zek Parker had a career-high seven receptions for 77 yards and had two kickoff returns of more than 70 yards.

Patrick Ramsey was 34-of-54 for 301 yards and two touchdowns for Tulane (3-5, 1-4). He left the game after a hard hit by DeWayne White with five minutes left in the third quarter and was replaced by freshman J.P. Losman.

The Cardinals (6-2, 3-1) trailed 23-20 when Ramsey left. A Tulane punt pinned the Cardinals inside their own 5 and Ragone was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety and a 25-20 Tulane lead with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

After a Tulane punt, Ragone engineered a 10-play touchdown drive bridging the third and fourth quarters. He had an 8-yard touchdown run with 13:45 left in the game to give Louisville the lead for good.

Redshirt freshman running back T.J. Patterson scored his first career touchdown on a 9-yard run with 5:54 left in the game.

Losman threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Zander Robinson with 1:25 remaining and the Green Wave recovered an onside kick near midfield with 1:21 left. But Donovan Arp intercepted a deflected pass in the final minute to preserve the Cardinals' fifth win in six home games this season.

Ramsey was 26-of-41 for 220 yards in the first half to lead Tulane to a 16-13 lead.

The Cardinals were called for 12 penalties in the first half and faced a halftime deficit for the third straight week.

Louisville matched a school record with 18 penalties in the game.

It was the 20th win for John L. Smith, the most by any Louisville coach in his first three seasons. The victory also ensured Louisville's third straight winning season, a feat last accomplished between 1993-95.