Defense Fuels Kentucky to 26-13 Win over Louisville, Fourth Straight Governor's Cup Victory

The Governor’s Cup will stay in Lexington. The Kentucky defense provided one big play after another to propel the Wildcats to a 26-13 win over Louisville. Mark Stoops caps off a 7-5 season with a the fourth straight win in the rivalry game.

The Kentucky defense forced three turnovers, and got a fourth down stop in their own red zone, to set up the Wildcats’ offense for success. It did not always turn into touchdowns, but Kentucky did enough to overwhelm their ACC rival and keep the Governor’s Cup in Lexington for a fifth straight year.

Will Levis completed 11-of-19 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, one to Dane Key and another to Barion Brown. Chris Rodriguez helped grind the game away by rushing for 120 yards on Senior Day. The seniors on the other side of the line of scrimmage Jacquez Jones and DeAndre Square, returned from injury to enter the 300-Tackle Club.

Josh Kattus Sets Up First Score

The two rivals were at an early stalemate when an overzealous blitz caught the Cards slipping. The play-action fake left Josh Kattus with nothing but green grass around him. The true freshman rumbled, bumbled and stumbled 70 yards down the field to get the Wildcats in the red zone. Key got the score to put Kentucky ahead two plays later.

Back-to-Back Big Stops for Kentucky

Louisville did not wave the white flag right away. Brock Domann was not doing much through the air, but the Cards outside zone rushing attacked gashed the Cats. They got the ball all the way down to the Kentucky 13-yard line and appeared to move the chains on third and long. Upon further review, replay overturned the call to make it fourth and inches. That’s when the senior stood strong. Playing in his first game since Oct. 1, Jacquez Jones made the tackle behind the line of scrimmage to force a turnover on downs.

Following a Matt Ruffolo field goal, the Kentucky defense let loose on Domann. Louisville native J.J. Weaver forced the fumble, recovered it and almost scored a touchdown, tripped up just six yards away from the end zone. The Wildcats had an SEC-low 15 sacks entering the Governor’s Cup. Today they sacked UofL’ quarterbacks four times.

.@jjtimeee sack the quarterback and recover the fumble!

📺 – @SECNetwork: https://t.co/lyvsjAKxsn pic.twitter.com/YRp9jRpgpU

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) November 26, 2022

Ruffolo Gets Off the Schneid

Kentucky’s field goal kicking unit has not been great in 2022. Only 3-7 from FG range over the last three weeks, the Wildcats’ woeful red zone offense had to lean on Matt Ruffolo on Senior Day. Despite starting a drive on the UofL 6-yard line, Kentucky had to kick a field goal. Ruffolo delivered, time and time again. He hit 4-of-4 field goals, scoring from 43, 29, 35 and 40 yards out.

Wallace Hands Louisville a Dagger

Square had his time to shine on Senior Day, but it was his young apprentice who proved to be the difference-maker. Malik Cunningham entered the action late in the first half and put together a touchdown-scoring drive to give the Cards some momentum. The game was hanging in the balance at intermission until the Kentucky defense responded.

The Wildcats sacked Cunningham on the opening play of the third quarter, leading to a three-and-out. After a UK field goal, the pressure once against got to Cunningham. He threw it into triple coverage and Trevin Wallace made him pay, picking off the pass and giving the Wildcats the ball in the red zone. Three plays later, Brown provided a dagger, giving Kentucky a 23-7 lead. The interception ended Cunningham’s day and gave the quarterback his fourth Governor’s Cup loss.

🔥💥 @BarionBrown from @will_levis.

📺 – @SECNetwork: https://t.co/lyvsjAKxsn pic.twitter.com/omLDhKme8n

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) November 26, 2022

Kentucky native Jordan Lovett officially ended the game, picking off Domann with less than two minutes left to get the party started at Kroger Field. Scott Satterfield remains winless against the Wildcats.

Kentucky vs. Louisville, Governor’s Cup Box Score