After appearing in the conference title game in 2023, Louisville (7-4, 5-3 ACC) began the season with lofty expectations. However, a late-season slump has put the Cardinals in a precarious position, leaving it desperate for a win to salvage what appeared to be a promising campaign.
Meanwhile, Kentucky (4-7, 1-7 SEC) has grappled with injuries and a couple of missteps this season, leaving the team searching for solutions to their ongoing challenges. The Wildcats are, however, looking to end the season on a high note with a win over their rival.
Louisville entered Saturday’s game at Kroger Field as a 3.5-point favorite, marking the second consecutive year the Cardinals are favored against the Wildcats.
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Louisville vs. Kentucky box score
Louisville box score
Quarterback
Rushing
Receiving
Defense
Kicking
Kentucky box score
Quarterback
Rushing
Receiving
Kicking
Louisville vs. Kentucky Summary
Louisville opened the scoring halfway through the first quarter at Kroger Field with a rushing touchdown. Isaac Brown found his way to the end zone from the one-yard line with 7:07 left on the clock.
The Cardinals extended the lead early in the second quarter with a field goal. Brock Travelstead hit the target from the 20 yards with 13:00 left, after a drive of four plays for 22 yards.
Duke Watson helped Louisville further extend the lead a few minutes later with a rushing touchdown. The running back rushed for 58 yards to the end zone on the first play of the drive with 11:16 left.
The Cardinals scored their second field goal of the game later on in the second quarter. Brock Travelstead once again hit the target from 21 yards following a drive of 10 plays for 72 yards.
Kentucky recorded its first point of the day in the third quarter. Gavin Wimsatt found Ja’Mori Maclin in the end zone from four yards to reduce the lead margin with 9:22 left on the clock.
Louisville responded with a touchdown later on in the third quarter with 4:59 left. Kentucky’s Jamarion Wilcox fumbled the ball while rushing, and was recovered by Ramon Puryear who returned it for a touchdown.
The Cardinals added another rushing touchdown just before the end of the third quarter. Duke Watson rushed 24 yards to the end zone to exert his team’s dominance in the encounter.
Kentucky scored its second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt and Jamarion Maclin connected once again, this time from 83 yards, to close down the wide margin.
Louisville responded less than a minute after that with another rushing touchdown. Isaac Brown rushed 67 yards to the end zone with 9:01 on just the second play of the drive.
It ended in a win for Louisville at the Kroger Field. While it hasn’t been as successful as expected for the Cardinals, it wasn’t a bad season overall. Kentucky, on the other hand, will look to bounce back in 2025 after the massive disappointment this season.
Edited by Farouk Yusuf
