Louisville escaped with a 35-34 victory over Washington in a thrilling Sun Bowl on Tuesday as the Cardinals thwarted a go-ahead two-point conversion attempt from the Huskies with

Harrison Bailey threw for three touchdowns and Caullin Lacy scored twice as Louisville hung on to beat Washington 35-34 in the Sun Bowl.

The Louisville football program will be heading into the offseason with momentum on their side. Capping off year two under head coach Jeff Brohm with a showdown against Washington in the Sun Bowl, the Cardinals were able to withstand a furious fourth quarter comeback attempt,

Louisville was celebrating a nine-win season and its first three-game winning streak to finish a season since 2013.

As part of the New Year's Eve college bowl schedule, the Sun Bowl features the Louisville Cardinals (8-4) and the Washington Huskies (6-6). Kickoff from El Paso, Texas, is at 2 p.m. ET (CBS). Let's an

Louisville’s Dylan Merman (87) celebrates their win against Washington in the 91st Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. / GABY VELASQUEZ/ USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Louisville punter Brady Hodges said he opted out of the Sun Bowl this week because the Cardinals' NIL collective did not pay money promised to him in September.

Hodges posted on social media during Tuesday’s game against Washington in El Paso, Texas, that he had not been with the team since Dec. 10.