Bowden’s Heart on Display in Astounding Performance
Midway through the third quarter, Lynn Bowden Jr. – just stopped short on a third-down draw play – needed medical attention.
The way a Louisville defender had rolled over his ankle, there was legitimate concern about his return.
Just a few minutes and a fresh taping later, Bowden was ready to return without missing so much as one play.
“I’d have to be dead for me not to come back in the game,” Bowden said.
The moment served to illustrate Bowden’s approach to playing quarterback. The rest of the afternoon showcased the impact he makes in doing so.
Bowden ran 46 yards on his very first carry after returning from the injury, lifting his total to over 200 yards and breaking the game wide open. He finished with 284 rushing yards – the most by a quarterback in SEC history – and four touchdowns as Kentucky (7-5) claimed the Governor’s Cup for the third time in four seasons by downing Louisville (7-5), 45-13.
“What can you say about Lynn,” Mark Stoops said. “He is truly remarkable in so many ways. But you have to recognize his competitive nature, and just how tough and competitive and what a leader he is.”
With Bowden behind center, UK needed attempt only two passes to blow out its rival in setting the school record for team rushing yards in a game (517) for the second straight game. That’s a testament to Bowden’s talent, the physicality of the Kentucky offensive line and the strength of a Wildcat defense that has come into its own over the seven games Bowden has started at quarterback.
“We had a lot of doubters,” Bowden said. “Nobody thought we’d succeed. No one even thought we were going to go to a bowl game. I told y’all before, we’re a bunch of fighters. We’re never going to give up on each other, never going to point fingers. We just came out through the second half of the season and just dominated.”
UK is now 5-2 in those games, with Bowden rushing for a staggering 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a team, UK has run for 2,469 yards (352.7 per game) behind that Big Blue Wall, a group that Bowden called “the best o-line in the nation.”
“Whenever I get rich, I’m going to take them out to dinner and we’re going to spend as much money as they want,” Bowden said.
On defense, UK has held opponents to 318 yards or fewer in seven straight games and allowed no more than 21 points. On Saturday, UK tallied six sacks and 13 tackles for loss and forced a pair of turnovers, the latest impressive performance for a unit that has come to be known for them.
“You see the potential, but it’s whether they actualize that potential,” defensive coordinator Brad White said. “You could see the potential in this defense. You could see it in that d-line. You could see the talent in the secondary and the speed. It was once they built that confidence in themselves – that ‘OK, we can do this’ – it really took shape. I’m just so proud. As a coach, you can’t be any prouder than this group and the way they performed and the way they battled.”
The Wildcats’ last three games have been especially dominant, with UK winning each by at least 24 points to reach seven wins for the fourth straight season. The Cats have run for more than 400 yards in each game and allowed only 34 points, including only seven in the second half.
UK has come a long way from five weeks into the season, when the Cats were 2-3 and down their top two quarterbacks.
“I’ve told you over and over again how much of a joy they have been to coach,” Stoops said. “And that’s not just lip service, it’s the truth. This is a week during Thanksgiving that there’s a lot of thanks out there and a lot to be grateful for, and our team has been grateful this week. We talked about that and having really good hearts all week and being grateful for the opportunity. They did that.”
That identity has formed around Bowden, the player Stoops calls UK’s “alpha dog.”
Bowden has captivated fans over the three years of his Kentucky career with toughness and will to win. In turn, Kentucky has gained a place in Bowden’s heart. Never has that been plainer to see that after Bowden was presented the Howard Schnellenberger MVP Award for his performance on Saturday.
Overcome by the moment, Bowden dropped to his knees at midfield, his mind on the journey his team has taken this season and the one he’s been on since he arrived in Lexington.
“I was just thinking,” Bowden said. “We’ve been through a lot. I’ve been through a lot since I’ve been here. It’s just my home, my forever home.”
The Commonwealth is happy to have him.
