Louisville Cardinals defeat SMU Mustangs 41-31: Recap & Betting Results
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 · NCAAF · SMU Mustangs 31, Louisville Cardinals 41
The Louisville Cardinals beat the SMU Mustangs 41-31 on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. The Louisville Cardinals covered the spread as 3-point favorites. The game went over the closing total of 57.5, with 72 points combined.
SMU Mustangs vs. Louisville Cardinals final score and game recap
The Louisville Cardinals led 14-7 after the first quarter. The SMU Mustangs won the second quarter 10-0 to lead 17-14 at halftime. The Louisville Cardinals outscored the SMU Mustangs 27-14 in the second half. They came back from a 3-point halftime deficit.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Kendrick Raphael (SMU Mustangs): 24 carries for 197 yards, 3 rushing touchdowns.
- Kevin Jennings (SMU Mustangs): 24/35 passing for 222 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions.
- Keyjuan Brown (Louisville Cardinals): 10 carries for 163 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns.
- Lincoln Kienholz (Louisville Cardinals): 14/23 passing for 177 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
Who covered the spread in SMU Mustangs vs. Louisville Cardinals?
The Louisville Cardinals covered the spread as 3-point favorites, winning by 10 points.
The spread opened at Louisville Cardinals -1.5 and closed at Louisville Cardinals -3.
Did SMU Mustangs vs. Louisville Cardinals go over or under the total?
The game went over: 72 points combined against a closing total of 57.5, over by 14.5. 31 of the 72 points came in the first half.
The total opened at 59.5 and closed at 57.5.
SMU Mustangs vs. Louisville Cardinals game prop results: first half, team totals and first quarter
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- First-half total 29.5: the over, paying -112, with 31 points scored.
- Louisville Cardinals team total 30.5: the over, paying -111, with 41 scored.
- First-half spread: SMU Mustangs +0.5 covered, paying -105.
- First-quarter moneyline: Louisville Cardinals won the first quarter, paying -120.
- First-half moneyline: SMU Mustangs won the first half, paying +114.
- SMU Mustangs team total 27.5: the over, paying -113, with 31 scored.
- First-quarter total 13.5: the over, paying -110, with 21 points scored.
SMU Mustangs vs. Louisville Cardinals odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the SMU Mustangs at +120 and the Louisville Cardinals at -145. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Louisville Cardinals a 57% favorite. The Louisville Cardinals won as the favorite at -145: $68.97 profit on a $100 bet.
The spread moved toward the Louisville Cardinals between the open and the close, and they covered. The total moved down from 59.5 to 57.5, and the game went over.
SMU Mustangs and Louisville Cardinals betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the SMU Mustangs 2-1 in the 2026 regular season (1-0 at home, 1-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 1 of 3 games with a closing line on file, with 1 push. Their games went over the closing total 2 times and under 1 time.
This result left the Louisville Cardinals 2-1 in the 2026 regular season (2-0 at home, 0-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 3 of 3 games with a closing line on file. All three of their games with a closing total went over. That made it two straight wins for the Louisville Cardinals.
What's next for SMU Mustangs and Louisville Cardinals?
Next for the SMU Mustangs: the Missouri State Bears at home on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Next for the Louisville Cardinals: the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at home on Saturday, September 26, 2026.