Louisville leads at halftime of the Governor's Cup

‘Tis the season for Governor’s Cup skirmishes and fisticuffs, and today’s 35th running of the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry had plenty of both before and after kickoff. Currently, the game is at halftime as the two bitter enemies part ways to cool off and regroup before 30 more minutes of hitting and hating each other.

Louisville leads, 10-7.

Louisville Struck First

Big Blue Nation saw a familiar opening script: Kentucky got stuffed on the opening drive, punted short, and then gave up a touchdown to go down 7-0 early. The Wildcats’ first possession lasted five plays before a 31-yard punt gave Louisville the ball for the first time. From there, Louisville went 70 yards in 14 plays to put the first touchdown on the scoreboard.

Missed tackles were a problem for Kentucky. Additionally, the Cards converted a 3rd-and-6 from their own 34, plus a successful fourth-down gamble to set up the TD.

UK’s defense got better as the game went on.

Dropped and Batted-Down Passes, Offensive Line Struggles

If the opening script looked familiar, so did Kentucky’s early mistakes in the game. Dane Key and Brenden Bates each dropped passes for significant gains. The latter mishandled a flea flicker in scoring territory. Devin Leary had another pass batted down when his target was wide open.

Kentucky’s offensive line wasn’t getting it done, either. Devin Leary was hurried and sacked twice. The Wildcats no longer dominate the Governor’s Cup trenches on that side of the ball.

Dane Key’s Spectacular TD Catch

After quick punts on its first two drives, Kentucky’s offense got things going on its third possession, going 52 yards in nine plays to tie the game. Ramon Jefferson, not Ray Davis, ran the ball four times for 10 yards; Devin Leary hit three separate targets, including Khamari Anderson; and Dane Key caught the game-tying grab on third down.

Leary and Key made an incredible throw and catch for the score.

#BBN, share your reactions in GIF form when this happened. pic.twitter.com/NHZITXwgFF

— KSR (@KSRonX) November 25, 2023

Louisville Held To A Field Goal

The Cards tried to go back up by a touchdown, but Kentucky’s D held its ground and didn’t allow a score. Louisville got down to Kentucky’s 23-yard-line but a silly penalty by Chris Bell, his second for hitting a player in the helmet, moved the offense back 15.

The Wildcats held Louisville to a field goal, bringing us to the halftime score of 10-7.