Football
(opens in a new tab)
Game Day Central: Kentucky vs. Louisville

Game Day Central: Kentucky vs. Louisville

Cat Walk

Pregame

1st Quarter

Kentucky got the first possession but the Cats went three-and-out and were forced to punt. Louisville took over at its own 24 yard line. The Cards got one first down on their initial possession before punting the ball back to UK.

The Cats would get on the board on their second possession of the game. The big play was a 70-yard completion from Levis to freshman tight end Josh Kattus, getting the Cats to the Louisville 13 yard line. From there, Rodriguez would gain 11 yards, getting UK to the two. Then, Levis went in for the score, but the play was called back due to an illegal formation on the Cats.

But a couple of plays later, Levis connected with another freshman, wide receiver Dane Key, on an eight-yard touchdown pass. Matt Ruffolo added the point after and the Cats led 7-0 with 7:46 to play in the first period.

The Cards took the next possession deep into UK territory. But on fourth and one from the UK 13, Jacquez Jones stopped Louisville’s Jawhar Jordan short of the first down, giving the ball back to UK.

2nd Quarter

Kentucky took the ensuing possession and, early in the second quarter, Ruffolo booted a 43-yard field goal, giving the Cats a 10-0 lead with 12:48 left in the half.

The UK defense came up big on the next Louisville drive. JJ Weaver, the Louisville native, sacked U of L quarterback Brock Domann, caused a fumble and was able to secure the loose ball on the Louisville six yard line.

However, the Cats were unable to do much with the possession. UK would settle for a 29-yard field goal from Ruffolo, and the Cats would take a 13-0 lead with 10:28 to play in the half.

Later in the second quarter, the Cards would get on the board. Louisville went 64 yards in 12 plays, capped by a six-yard touchdown run from quarterback Malik Cunningham. James Turner made the extra point and UK’s lead was trimmed to 13-7 with 37 seconds left in the half. That would be the halftime score.

3rd Quarter

Louisville got the first possession of the second half, but the Cards were unable to do much and were forced to punt. Kentucky took the ensuing possession into U of L territory, covering 40 yards in 10 plays and ending with a 35-yard field goal from Ruffolo, giving UK a 16-7 advantage with 8:43 left in the third quarter.

On Louisville’s next drive, quarterback Malik Cunningham was intercepted by UK linebacker Trevin Wallace, who returned the pick to the Louisville 16 yard line with 7:58 to go in the third.

Kentucky would convert on the miscue. On the third play following the turnover, Levis hit Barion Brown on a fade pattern in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Ruffolo added another PAT and the Cats led 23-7 with 6:35 to play in quarter number three.

Kentucky would lead 23-7 at the end of the third period.

4th Quarter

Early in the fourth quarter, the Cats were again in Louisville territory but were stopped. Ruffolo came on again and nailed a 40-yard field goal, marking his career high in field goals in one game, as the Cats took a 26-7 lead with 12:06 left in the game.

On the ensuing drive, Louisville would cut into the UK lead. The Cards marched 75 yards in 10 plays and got a 27-yard touchdown pass from Dohmann to Tyler Hudson. Dohmann then rushed for a two-point conversion but came up short and the UK lead was 26-13 with 7:03 to play.

Related Stories

View all
some text
Kentucky Football’s 2025 Schedule Revealed
some text
Alex Raynor Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year
some text
Four Wildcats Earn All-SEC Coaches Team Honors