Louisville Set to Close 2025 Against Toledo in Boca Raton Bowl Showdown
BOCA RATON, FL - Louisville football wraps up its 2025 season with a postseason matchup against Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl - a game that brings together two programs with vastly different histories in this particular bowl, but plenty of storylines to watch.
It’s been over four decades since these two last met on the field. The Cardinals got the better of that 1981 matchup, winning 31-6, but Toledo enters this one with a perfect 2-0 record in Boca Raton Bowl appearances. The Rockets topped Temple in 2015 and edged Liberty in 2022, so they’re no strangers to this Florida setting.
For Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, there’s a bit of full-circle energy in play. Back in 2009, he was the quarterbacks coach at Florida Atlantic - the host site for this bowl - during a season where the Owls went 2-3 at home. That team was led by the late Howard Schnellenberger, a coaching legend who not only built the FAU program from the ground up but also coached Brohm during his playing days at Louisville.
Schnellenberger’s legacy looms large over this game. The Boca Raton Bowl trophy bears his name, a tribute to his influence on both programs and college football as a whole. Brohm reflected on his former coach’s boldness and charisma earlier this week.
“He said a lot of bold things, but he shot for the stars,” Brohm said. “He did it with national championships, Super Bowls, all those things.
When you're around him, you learned a lot about how to handle certain situations. He was a people person.
He loved to talk in front of the camera and tell people what he thought was going to happen and how it was going to happen. We all take away something from him.”
Running Back Room in Flux for Louisville
Louisville’s backfield situation remains fluid heading into kickoff. Braxton Jennings is expected to get the start, but it’s still a game-time decision for Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown. Brohm didn’t rule out either back contributing but made it clear that availability - and durability - remain question marks.
“Can we have one or two play? Yes,” Brohm said.
“Can we have one or two play and not finish? Maybe yes.
But I do think we might get a couple to try.”
In a bowl game where controlling tempo and sustaining drives can be the difference, the Cardinals will need all the help they can get out of that running back rotation.
Tight Ends Coaching Update: Staff Stepping Up
Louisville will also be without its tight ends coach, Ryan Wallace, who has reportedly taken the same position at Oregon State. That’s left a bit of a void on the sideline, but the Cardinals have found stability in-house.
Graduate assistant Will Bramel has taken the reins with the tight ends, and veteran staffer Brian Reader - typically working with quarterbacks - has stepped in to help as well. Tight end Nate Kurisky praised both for their leadership and preparation.
“Our GA coach Bramel has been doing a heck of a job coaching us,” Kurisky said. “And also one of the older coaches on the staff, Coach Reader, who helps out on the offensive side of the ball, mainly the quarterbacks.
He's been helping us out in practice and in meetings. Shout out to both those guys.
They're both great coaches.”
Kickoff Info and Betting Lines
Louisville enters the game as a 9.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 43.5. The moneyline sits at Louisville -425 and Toledo +320. Oddsmakers are clearly leaning toward the Cardinals, who are predicted to win this one 45-21.
Louisville’s 2025 Season at a Glance
It’s been a roller-coaster year for the Cardinals, who opened the season with a dominant non-conference stretch before hitting a few bumps in ACC play. Here’s how their season unfolded:
- Aug. 30: Louisville 51, Eastern Kentucky 17
- Sept. 5: Louisville 28, James Madison 14
- Sept. 20: Louisville 40, Bowling Green 17
- Sept. 27: Louisville 34, Pitt 27
- Oct. 4: Virginia 30, Louisville 27 (OT)
- Oct. 17: Louisville 24, Miami 21
- Oct. 25: Louisville 38, Boston College 24
- Nov. 1: Louisville 28, Virginia Tech 16
- Nov. 8: California 29, Louisville 26 (OT)
- Nov. 14: Clemson 20, Louisville 19
- Nov. 22: SMU 38, Louisville 6
- Nov. 29: Louisville 41, Kentucky 0
That shutout win over Kentucky to close the regular season was a statement - and a reminder of what this team is capable of when it’s clicking on both sides of the ball.
Now, they’ll look to carry that momentum into Boca Raton and finish the year with a bowl win. Toledo’s no pushover, especially in this bowl setting, but Louisville has the firepower - and the motivation - to close out 2025 on a high note.