Last week, Louisville went for it on 4th-and-1 late in the fourth quarter to seal the deal against Syracuse.
This week, the Cardinals tried it again but was stuffed and lost in overtime, 24-21, to visiting South Florida on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulls (6-3, 3-2 Big East) became the first conference team to become bowl eligible after kicker Maikon Bonani nailed a 37-yard field goal on USF’s first possession in overtime.
The game-winning kick came after the Bulls defense forced a turnover-on-downs by stuffing the Cardinals, who had the first possession in overtime, on 4th-and-1 inside USF’s 10-yard line.
USF moves into a tie for second place in the Big East standings with Syracuse.
However, the Orange (6-3, 3-2) defeated the Bulls in Week 5 and own the conference tiebreaker.
Louisville (5-5, 2-3) drop in the standings and practically need a miracle to have a shot at a league title.
If Syracuse beats Rutgers, 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU, the Orange will earn bowl eligibility and be alone in second place in the league standings.