Kentucky embraces chance to close by serving 'L' to Louisville

Field Level Media|published: Fri 29th November, 09:37 2024

Nov 23, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley during the second half against the Texas Longhorns Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The Kentucky Wildcats end their season Saturday but before they go, a chance to extend their dominance over archrival Louisville in the annual edition of the Governor's Cup game in Lexington.

The Wildcats (4-7) lost 31-14 at No. 3 Texas last Saturday to ensure their first season without a bowl game since 2015, which was also their last full regular season with a losing record. They have won five straight against the Cardinals (7-4) dating back to the 2017 season.

With an eye to the future, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops plans to feature true freshman Cutter Boley in a start at quarterback for the Wildcats. The in-state recruit has played in relief in three games this season, including the last two.

Against the Longhorns last Saturday, he completed 10-of-18 passes for 160 yards and threw an interception.

"We've made it a conscious effort to get Cutter some (first-team) reps the past couple weeks and get him time in practice during that bye week to get him prepped and ready for it," Stoops said. "And ever since the bye week, I think you've seen him go out there and execute at a higher level."

The Cardinals (7-4) will play in a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season, but coach Jeff Brohm said in his weekly press conference Monday that it's important to finish the season on a strong note. Last year, Louisville led by 10 points late in the third quarter but fell 38-31 after Ray Davis ran for a 37-yard touchdown with 1:02 left in the game.

"If you don't win it, man, it puts a sour taste in your mouth, and we had that feeling last year," Brohm said. "It's a bad taste. It stays there for a long time."

Brohm's team ranks 15th nationally in total offense, averaging 453 yards per game and will face a Kentucky squad yielding just 332.7, 37th among FBS teams.

Ja'Corey Brooks leads the Atlantic Coast Conference with 1,013 receiving yards on 61 catches and nine touchdowns for Louisville. Isaac Brown has 896 rushing yards and nine scores. His 7.4 yards per carry leads the ACC and is third nationally. He needs just 65 yards to break Lamar Jackson's team record for rushing yards as a freshman.

--Field Level Media