LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Isaac Brown ran for a career-high 235 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries, including a game-changing 97-yard score, as Louisville rallied to take down Florida State 44-20 on Friday night, increasing the pressure on embattled Seminoles coach Mike Norvell.
Known for his big-play capabilities, Brown's long touchdown run came on the first play of a second-quarter drive after Louisville defensive back Kaleb Beasley stopped Florida State wide receiver Jasen Lopez at the Cardinals 3 on a fourth-and-goal. The Seminoles had led 14-0 and appeared to be in total control of the game.
"An extremely poor performance by us," Norvell said after the loss. "We started the game well. We jumped up 14-0, but too many missed opportunities. ... Too many times, we didn't show the detail, the discipline, the mental toughness that's necessary on the road. And it starts with me."
Florida State has now lost 11 straight true road games, and 13 straight away from Doak Campbell Stadium. As a result, a mild two-game winning streak came to a sudden halt.
"What we put out there, obviously, guys were not as prepared as they need to be," Norvell said. "But we all need to take ownership of it. Coaches, players, everyone involved. There was plenty of opportunity."
Louisville (3-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) never looked back, outgaining the Seminoles 438-190 after the fourth-down stop. The Cardinals finished with 537 yards. That included 397 overall on the ground, where they accounted for all of their touchdowns. It also happened despite Keyjuan Brown, the Cardinals' top rusher this season, being sidelined with an injury.
Brown started the second half taking the opening kickoff 71 yards to the Seminoles 28 and got a horse-collar penalty added at the end. Four plays later, quarterback Lincoln Kienholz scored on a 3-yard run, his first of two scores, to give the Cardinals a 21-14 lead.
Brown finished his night with a 68-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
"When you play a team that has explosive players, you have to do your job," Norvell said. "At the end of the day, if you do that, you give yourself a chance. If you don't, explosive plays and missed opportunities are going to show up. And that's what we saw for three quarters."
Ashton Daniels completed 21 of 37 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns as Florida State (3-3, 1-2) amassed 362 yards on offense. He also ran for a score.
"I'm extremely disappointed for this team," Norvell said. "Ultimately, it still comes down to work, and it comes down to owning the issues, correcting the issues, and then, going to be able to put it on display for three-and-a-half hours. And we did not do that."
Florida State plays at No. 4 Miami next Saturday.
"We have a huge game next week," Norvell said. "A rivalry game against a very talented team. But we have to get tonight fixed. It was incredibly disappointing."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.