Bilal Powell did all he could to make sure Louisville gets to play another game. Powell rushed for 123 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the Cardinals to a 40-13 victory over Rutgers on Friday in a Big East Conference matchup. Louisville (6-6, 3-4 Big East) is bowl eligible with the win and snaps a two-game slide. The Cardinals also ended the Scarlet Knights’ bowl hopes in the process.

Rutgers (4-7, 1-5) closes out the season with a game at West Virginia on Dec. 4.

Powell caught a pair of touchdown passes from Justin Burke, from 17 and 11-yards out, to give Louisville a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. He added an 11-yard touchdown run less than a minute into the second quarter to make it 21-0 and the Cardinals cruised from there.

Jordan Thomas and Jeremy Deering each rushed for a touchdown for Rutgers but freshman quarterback Chas Dodd was harassed all day by the Louisville defense. Dodd completed 14-of-32 passes for 177 yards and was sacked nine times.

Dodd was picked off twice, including one taken back for a 36-yard touchdown by Johnny Patrick in the fourth quarter.

Cameron Graham caught a touchdown pass and Jeremy Wright ripped off a 64-yard touchdown run for the Cardinals, who outgained the Scarlet Knights 427-328.