Kentucky Falls to Louisville in Regular Season Finale
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Benny Snell, Jr. carried 29 times for a career-high 211 yards and two touchdowns, but Kentucky fell to Louisville 44-17 on Saturday at Kroger Field.
For Snell, it was his seventh games this season with at least 100 yards rushing, and the 12th such game in his two-year UK career. He also became the first Wildcat to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since Artose Pinner did so against Vanderbilt in 2002.
Snell’s two touchdowns give him 18 for the season, breaking the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season. The record was previously set by Moe Williams in 1995.
Senior quarterback Stephen Johnson passed for 110 yards in his final home game, while Kayaune Ross and Tavin Richardson each caught three passes for the Wildcats.
Louisville got the ball first, and the Cardinals marched 75 yards in seven plays, ending with an 18-yard touchdown run by Reggie Bonnafon, giving the Cardinals a 7-0 lead.
After Kentucky went three-and-out on its first series, the Cardinals struck again. This time, it was a 69-yard drive, culminating in a one-yard touchdown run by Dae Williams to make it 14-0 U of L.
Kentucky took the ensuing drive down the field on the legs of Snell and Johnson, who each had big rushing plays on the drive. Snell had a 41-yard scamper to get the Cats into Louisville territory, while Johnson had a 25-yard carry to get UK into the red zone. Snell capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, and Austin MacGinnis nailed the extra point to make it 14-7 Cardinals with 2:30 left in the first quarter. Snell’s 17th touchdown of the season tied the UK school record for rushing touchdowns in a season.
Louisville mounted another drive before the end of the quarter, ending with a 38-yard field goal by Blanton Creque to give U of L a 17-7 lead. That would be the score at the end of one period.
Kentucky took the opening drive of the second quarter 62 yards in 13 plays, but MacGinnis’ field goal from 32 yards out hit the right upright and bounded away, keeping the score at 17-7.
The Cards wasted no time taking advantage, using just four plays to cover 80 yards, ending with a Bonnafon touchdown rush from 11 yards out, giving U of L a 24-7 advantage. The Cards would score again before the half to make it 31-7, but Kentucky got a MacGinnis field goal as time expired, making the score 31-10 at the break.
In the second half, Louisville extended its lead to 44-10 before Snell scored his second touchdown of the game from four yards out, cutting the lead to 44-17 with 5:12 to go in the game.
Kentucky’s next contest will be its bowl game, which has not yet been determined. The Wildcats will receive their bowl invitation next Sunday, Dec. 3.
