Nov 15, 2003

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By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Danny Wimprine threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score as Memphis shut down Louisville's potent offense in a 37-7 win on Saturday.

DeAngelo Williams rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown as the Tigers (7-3, 3-2 Conference USA) won in Louisville for the first time since 1983.

Memphis has won four straight games for the first time since 1994 and reached seven victories for the first time since 1976.

The Cardinals (7-3, 3-3) came into the game ranked fifth in the nation in total offense (482 yards per game). They gained only 216 yards and 12 first downs - both season lows - against Memphis and mustered their lowest point total since October 2001.

Louisville suffered its worst home loss since Kentucky's 68-34 win in the 1998 season opener - the first game ever played at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

The Cardinals got off to a good start, taking a 7-0 lead.

Tiger Jones blocked a Memphis punt with 8:32 left in the opening quarter. Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors threw a 26-yard pass to Joshua Tinch before Lionel Gates scored on a 12-yard touchdown run. Gates was starting in place of Louisville's leading rusher Eric Shelton, who's out for two weeks with a neck injury.

Later in the first quarter, LeFors had a pass deflected into the hands of Memphis defensive tackle Eric Taylor, who returned it 52 yards for the tying touchdown. The Tigers scored on an interception return for the third time in four games.

Williams, who leads the nation in all-purpose yardage, had a 17-yard touchdown run on the last play of the first quarter to give the Tigers their first lead.

Midway through the second quarter, Wimprine hit Maurice Avery for a 55-yard pass that gave the Tigers a first down at the Louisville 5. The drive stalled, though, and the Tigers settled for a 22-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.

Memphis drove for another Gostkowski field goal and a 20-7 lead just before halftime.

The Cardinals had not trailed by more than 11 points in any game this season.

The Tigers took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 80 yards in 11 plays. Wimprine went 4-for-5 on the drive and finished it with a 1-yard touchdown run.

A Memphis punt pinned Louisville at its own 1-yard line later in the third quarter. LeFors fumbled out of the back of the end zone for a safety and a 30-7 Memphis lead.

Wimprine threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Darron White two minutes later.