Louisville falls short in an intense match against Kentucky, with a final score of 38-31. This loss puts Louisville at a 15-20 record in their all-time series against Kentucky, with a 5-10 record at L&N Stadium.
Despite the loss, Louisville had a strong performance, outgaining Kentucky with 403 yards of total offense while only allowing 289 yards. The defense held Kentucky to just 83 rushing yards, marking the eighth time this season that they have kept an opponent under 100 rushing yards.
Louisville had a slow start, allowing a kickoff return for a touchdown, the first time since 2018. However, they bounced back in the second half with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took up an impressive 9 minutes and 10 seconds of game time. This drive showcased Louisville’s determination and ability to control the game.
This loss puts Louisville’s overall record at 10-2, a record they last achieved in 2012. However, the team still has an opportunity to clinch an Orange Bowl berth if they can secure a win against Florida State in the ACC Championship game on December 2nd.
On the player side, quarterback Jack Plummer had a solid performance, completing 24-of-33 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Plummer also rushed for 19 yards and was sacked twice. Running back Jawhar Jordan had a productive game, rushing for 67 yards on 17 carries and scoring two touchdowns on one-yard runs.
Wide receiver Amari Huggins-Bruce and tight end Joey Gatewood also contributed to the offense, each catching a touchdown pass from Plummer. Huggins-Bruce finished with two receptions for 24 yards, while Gatewood had two receptions for 25 yards.
On the defensive side, safety Benjamin Perry stood out with a career-high nine tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte added to his impressive season with his 11th sack of the year and 21st of his career. Gillotte now ranks seventh on Louisville’s season sacks list and tenth on their career sacks list. Defensive lineman Kameron Wilson also recorded his first solo sack of his career.
Overall, while the loss to Kentucky was disappointing for Louisville, they showed resilience and displayed strong performances from key players. They will now turn their focus towards the ACC Championship game and the opportunity to secure an Orange Bowl berth.
