The finish stayed tense after Calvert's kick. Louisville missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt with 2:29 left, then reached another chance at the final seconds. With 15 seconds remaining, N. Keller's 57-yard attempt was blocked by Wake Forest's G. Kirschke and recovered by D. Cook at the Louisville 46, ending the comeback threat. Those two late kicks preserved Wake Forest's three-point win and turned a narrow lead into a confirmed road result.
Kienholz completed 27 of 36 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown, and Louisville finished with 399 total yards. Wake Forest produced 402 yards, including 225 passing and 177 rushing. The Cardinals converted seven of 14 third downs and held the ball for 33:34, while Wake Forest went 2-for-10 on third down and still won because its three touchdown drives and three field goals survived Louisville's pressure. Each team lost one turnover.
The yardage and possession numbers explain why Louisville remained in the game. The Cardinals had 24 first downs and converted half of their third-down attempts, while Wake Forest had 20 first downs. But Louisville's final two field-goal possessions ended without points. Wake Forest's defense held the lead long enough for Calvert's third field goal to stand as the difference.
