Win Caps Nine Win Season
Following a year off due to the SEC playing an all-league schedule, Kentucky and Louisville didn’t play for the first time since 1994. However, Saturday’s renewal of the series looked a lot like the 2018-19 games, an easy Wildcat victory. Let’s break it all down as the Cats keep the Governor’s Cup trophy for another year as Kentucky blows out Louisville 52-21.
Big Night For QB1
Playing in his first UK-UL rivalry contest Will Levis had a game to remember. The UK signal-caller had a career game on the ground with 113 yards on 14 carries and four touchdowns. In addition, it’s the second straight game a Kentucky quarterback has hit pay dirt four times. You may remember Lynn Bowden ran for 284 yards and four touchdowns in the last meeting between the two schools. All totaled UK has run for 881 in the last two Governor’s Cup games.
@will_levis breaking ankles, hearts, and spirits tonight!! #BBN pic.twitter.com/LLIqc24WDk
— Jarrod (@jarrodbrooks) November 28, 2021
In addition he completed 14 of 18 passes for 149 yards and more importantly no turnovers. Like any good rivalry some UK fans had a little fun at the Cardinals expense on Levis’ Wikipedia page.
Will Levis’ Wikipedia page at this moment pic.twitter.com/b1K7ycQxxv
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 28, 2021
Record-Setting Game
In addition to Levis, a couple of other Wildcats had big games. Wan’Dale Robinson hauled in nine receptions for 97 yards. As a result, he broke the Kentucky single-season receptions record of 90 set by James Whalen in his incredible season back in 1999.
Chris Rodriguez rushed for 121 yards on 16 carries giving him 1,271 yards for the season. As if that wasn’t good enough he’s now topped the century mark eight times in 2021 tying a school record set by Artose Pinner back in 2002. Much like Levis Rodriguez also had no turnovers on the night. If you read our game preview we said Kentucky had to limit miscues and they certainly did just that.
Overall Kentucky gained 513 yards, 364 rushing, and had all seven touchdowns on the ground. It was another great performance by the Big Blue Wall, who was just nominated once again for the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best offensive line.
Defense Played Well Too
Another part of our game preview talked about how UK needed to stop Louisville’s all-everything quarterback Malik Cunningham. With the exception of the opening drive, they did a great job. Overall Cunningham ran for only 35 yards on 11 carries and a score. In addition, he completed 12 of 20 passes for 145 yards and an interception. For the game, U of L gained 352 yards. However, nearly 100 of those came in the fourth quarter when the Cats were playing their reserves.
Not only was it a fun night as Kentucky Blows Out Louisville 52-21 the UK head coach is inching towards a big mark.
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Getting Closer To History
With the win, Kentucky finishes the regular season at 9-3. It’s only the third time since 1950 the Cats have won that many. The other years were 1977, 2018, and now 2021. If you’re counting at home two of the three came under Mark Stoops. Remember two games into his fourth season he was 12-26. Since then he’s gone 46-27. Again it shows how far this program has come in the nine years he’s been in Lexington.
Speaking of the UK head man he inched even closer to becoming UK’s all-time wins leader. With the nine so far in 2021 Stoops is only two away from equaling Bear Bryant’s 60 wins in his eight years in Lexington. A win in the bowl game and he can tie the record on September 3rd when the Cats open the 2022 season against Miami (Ohio).
Looking Ahead
Of course, the Cats are bowl eligible and so are the Cards. Right now we have Kentucky in the Outback Bowl. It would be 23 years to the day Kentucky last played in Tampa losing the 1999 contest 26-14 to Penn State. Although, with Texas A&M losing to LSU the Citrus Bowl is definitely in play as well.
On the other side of the ball, we at Last Word currently have Scott Satterfield’s club projected for the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl. Meanwhile, we’re rethinking that one and a more likely destination is the Military Bowl where they would meet East Carolina.
Again Kentucky blows out Louisville 52-21 as the Cats take their third in a row in the Battle For the Governor’s Cup and fourth in the last five. In fact, UK has outscored UL 153-44 over the last three games. Thanks for checking out our recap here at Last Word On College Football. We’ll be back with our updated bowl projections as we await where both teams end up.
#BBN #GoBigBlue pic.twitter.com/JZXJjSefYr
— MARK (@MLG1958) November 28, 2021
