No better way to end the regular season for University of Louisville football than with a win over Kentucky. For UK no more humiliating way to go out than with a 41-14 loss to UofL. Quite the scene, teams going in the opposite directions in Lexington
The Cardinals heading to post-season bowldom, the Wildcats to obscurity.
Kroger Field almost empty at the end, with a vast contrast in emotions. The majority of the crowd of 58,612 people, mostly deflated UK fans, leaving during the third quarter. At the red-striped end of the stadium, more than 2,500 UofL partisans celebrating their latest win over Kentucky. Five straight losses hard to endure, Coach Jeff Brohm bringing an end to the losing streak. A new era has begun, celebrating continues today and in the weeks ahead.
Quarterback Tyler Shough concluding an un-injured season in his seventh collegiate year. Masterfully guiding the Cardinals up and down the field with ease, keeping the Wildcats defense huffing and puffing for more than 35 minutes. Louisville pounding Kentucky for 358 yards on the ground while allowing the Cats only 172 yards. Shough possibly saving his throwing arm for bowl action, completing nine of only 18 passes for 128 yards, compared to 173 yard for the home team.
Louisville’s freshman running backs making it look easy. Isaac Brown rushing for 178 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season and setting UofL’s true freshman rushing record. Duke Watson right behind him, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive back Ramon Puryear had his third scoop and score of the season, returning a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown.Puryear is the first player in program history to score three defensive TDs in a season. Leaning over, scooping up the ball, running 20 yards untouched into the end zone. Making it look much too easy for the Cardinals.
“So proud of our guys, we work through adversity during the season without question, that is part of it,” said Brohm during the post game presser. “It’ll be part of it every year, try to make it as clean as you possibly can but football’s football and you play good teams and things are going to happen so our guys hung together, they stuck together, they worked hard. Our coaches continued to work through things and we had a solid finish today to finally get the Governor’s Cup back and represent our University and bring it back to our fans is really a great day for us and we are really happy to get this victory.”
All’s well that ends well. Enough with the losing to Kentucky. Not tolerable, no alternative to a win. A much-welcomed happy ending in the rivalry for a change.
