The Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals faced off in the highly anticipated Governor’s Cup rivalry game on November 25, 2023. At the L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Ky. The game lived up to its expectation as a thrilling and closely contested affair, with Kentucky emerging victorious with a 38-31 victory, securing their fifth consecutive win in the series.
Making this the second loss for the Louisville football team, for the 2023 season. Despite the loss Louisville finishes their 2023 season with a record of 10-2, making this their first double-digit win since 2013. The Cardinals will go into the ACC Champion game as the top-15 team. After being in the coaches poll for nine weeks, and AP Top 25, this is the longest the Cardinals have been consecutively ranked since 2016.Â
The first half of the game was a see-saw battle, with both teams trading touchdowns and showcasing their offensive firepower. Louisville opened the first quarter with a 70 yards rushing touchdown from Jawhar Jordan which gave Louisville football a winning edge of 7-0, then Kentucky responded with a trick pass from Devin Leary to Dane key for a nine-yard touchdown making the score line 7-7. After few minutes, Louisville’s Brock Travelstead made an upright split of 46 yards, making the score 10-7. Both teams traded touchdowns from the second quarter to the fourth quarter.
However, the Wildcats refused to back down. They responded with a touchdown of their own in the fourth quarter, and after a crucial turnover by Louisville, Kentucky’s Ray Davis drove down the end-zone and scored a 37-yard go-ahead touchdown with just over two minutes remaining in the game, with Kentucky taking the lead with a score of 38-31.
The Cardinals had a chance to tie the game late, but their final drive stalled, and Kentucky secured the victory, sending their fans home jubilant and celebrating their fifth straight Governor’s Cup win.
According to CBS Sport, Louisville Head Coach Jeff Brohm said, ” we didn’t do enough to win, it was a disappointing loss, this is on us. Every loss is disappointing. I thought we hung in there in the first half, we came out in the second half, took it down and scored, and gave up an untouched kickoff which was ridiculous. Then take it down and score to answer again and then gave up two wide-open wheel routes. We have work to do, now we have to go play a really really good opponent, and if we can’t get those things corrected, then it might not be a fun day for us. So we have a lot if work to do this week”.Â
Kentucky running back Ray Davis was a key factor in the Wildcats’ victory. He rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his power, agility, and ability to break tackles.
Davis’ performance was a testament to his talent and the Wildcats’ dominance on the ground. After he broke free for a go-ahead touchdown run, with less than two minutes remaining, helping the wildcats finish with a 38-31 victory against Louisville football on Saturday in the Governors Cup competition. According to ESPN, Davis who exceeded 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive season, said :”The coaches told us to stay calm and stay with it.” ” Before I scored, I took a deep breath and Devin said, ‘Let’s let it rip.’ I was proud of Leary”.Â
After completing 12 of 22 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, Leary completed a long throw of 55 yards to Izayah Cummings, before the first 20-yards score to Ray Davis, after being sacked twice before halftime.Â
Both defences played a significant role in the game, making key stops and creating turnovers. Louisville’s defence was particularly impressive in the first half, limiting Kentucky’s offence to just 21 points. Despite their loss, the Cardinals offence showed resilience throughout the game. Lousiville were able to keep up with Kenturkey’s offensive firepower, scouring a touchdown on the first four possessions of the game.
QB Cunningham was impressive, throwing for 274 yards and two TD’s. However, Kentucky’s defence stepped up in the second half, forcing turnovers and shutting down Louisville’s offence when it mattered most. The Wildcat’s defence became very rigid in the fourth quarter, limiting the Cardinals offence to just seven points, they also forced a crucial fumble in the final minutes of the game, which finally sealed the Cardinals fate.Â
The 2023 Governor’s Cup game was a memorable one, filled with exciting plays, dramatic moments, and a passionate rivalry atmosphere. Kentucky’s victory marked their fifth consecutive win in the series, and it will be a moment that Wildcats fans cherish for years to come. Louisville are ranked 14th in the final season and 15 in the AP top 25. Cardinals and The Seminoles are set to face-off in the ACC champion game at the Bank Of America Stadium, on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
