The 2001 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by fourth-year head coach John L. Smith, the Cardinals compiled an overall record of 11âÂÂ2 with a mark of 6âÂÂ1 in conference play, winning the C-USA title for the second consecutive season. Louisville was invited to the Liberty Bowl, where the Cardinals defeated BYU. The team played home game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.