LEXINGTON — Will Levis tossed two touchdowns and Matt Ruffolo kicked a career-best four field goals as the Kentucky Wildcats defeated in-state rival Louisville 26-13 on Saturday to win their fourth consecutive Governor's Cup.
Kentucky struggled during the final half of the season, losing five of its last seven, but didn't have a trouble in this contest as they dominated all phases of the game.
Kentucky (7-5) would get on the board first as Dane Key would haul in an 8 yard reception for a Wildcat touchdown and an early 7-0 lead with 7:46 remaining in the opening quarter. The play that setup the scoring chance came when Levis and tight end Josh Kattus connected for a 70-yard gain on the second play of the drive.
The Wildcats added another score later in the quarter as Ruffolo booted his first field goal from 43-yards away to extend the Wildcat lead to 10-0.
The defense harassed Cardinal quarterbacks Brock Domann and Malik Cunningham, forcing fumbles from both and converting them into points.
Linebacker J.J. Weaver stripped Domann of the football on a sack and returned the loose ball to the 6, setting up a Ruffolo field goal from 29 yards to make the score 13-0.
Louisville (7-5, No. 25 CFP) would finally crack into the scoring column with a 12-play, 64-yard drive that was capped off with a Malik Cunningham 6-yard run to cut the Kentucky lead to 13-7 with :37 remaining in the half.
After a three-and-out from Louisville to begin the second half, Kentucky moved down the field in 10-plays and settled for another field goal from Ruffolo to give the Wildcats a two-score lead at 16-7 with 8:43 in the third quarter.
Trevin Wallace would intercept a Cunningham pass on the Cardinals ensuing drive and return the ball 19 yards to the Louisville 16 . The play was especially critical, as it set table for Levis to toss a touchdown pass to Brown three plays later for a 23-7 lead that put rest any hopes of a Cardinal comeback.
Levis finished the day 11 of 19 passing for 188 yards to go along with his two scores through the air to help the Wildcats to earn Bluegrass bragging rights for another year.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. had 24 carries for 120 yards and broke the school record with his 20th 100-yard performance.
Louisville's Jawhar Jordan rushed 22 times for 145 yards, both career bests by the Syracuse transfer.
Kentucky now awaits the destination of their school-record seventh consecutive bowl game.
Louisville 0 7 0 6 = 13
Kentucky 7 6 10 3 = 26
First Quarter UK—Dane Key 8 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 7:46.
Second Quarter UK—Matt Ruffolo 43 field goal, 12:48. UK—Matt Ruffolo 29 field goal, 10:28. UL—Malik Cunningham 6 run (James Turner kick), 0:37.
Third Quarter UK—Matt Ruffolo 35 field goal, 8:43. UK—Barion Brown 3 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 6:35.
Fourth Quarter UK—Matt Ruffolo 40 field goal, 12:06. UL—Tyler Hudson 27 pass from Brock Domann (run failed), 7:03.
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