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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Linebacker Michael Brown and defensive end Devon Thomas scored on long fumble returns to spark a big second half as Louisville opened the college football season with a 45-24 victory over New Mexico State. Coming off its third straight bowl appearance, Louisville (1-0) squandered an early 14-point lead and trailed at halftime, 24-23. But Brown scooped up Kenton Keith's fumble and ran 81 yards down the sideline to put the Cardinals ahead for good. New Mexico State (0-1) fumbled on its next possession and Louisville cashed in on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Dave Ragone to Deion Branch that made it 38-24 with 6:08 left in the thrid quarter. Ragone completed 18-of-31 passes for 272 yards with three TDs and two interceptions. The Aggies again drove deep into Louisville territory early in the fourth quarter, but quarterback K.C. Enzminger fumbled. Thomas, a 250-pound junior, lumbered 87 yards for the clinching score. While Louisville held New Mexico State scoreless in the second half, the Aggies rolled up 407 rushing yards in the game. Keith led the ground attack with 137 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries before leaving in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Enzminger was just 6-of-14 for 117 yards and a touchdown. This was the first meeting between the schools.
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