Louisville Vs Kentucky Score Explodes-Who's Winning?
Louisville Cardinals dominated the Kentucky Wildcats with a stunning 41-0 shutout victory in their annual Governor's Cup rivalry game on November 29, 2025, at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. No live updates are available today, May 13, 2026, as this matchup occurs annually late in the college football regular season, not mid-spring. Final score: Louisville 41, Kentucky 0.
Game Summary
The Louisville Cardinals delivered a historic performance, marking their first shutout win over Kentucky since 2000 and snapping a recent skid in the series. Freshmen running backs Braxton Jennings and Shaun Boykins Jr. each eclipsed 100 rushing yards, combining for over 250 yards on the ground despite key injuries to veteran players. Quarterback Miller Moss orchestrated the offense with 182 passing yards and four total touchdowns-three aerial, one rushing-leading Louisville to a 7-13-7-14 quarter-by-quarter explosion.
Kentucky's offense managed zero points, zero first downs in the first half, and just 112 total yards, plagued by three turnovers and relentless pressure from Louisville's defense, which recorded five sacks. This blowout improved Louisville's record to 8-4 overall (5-3 ACC), while Kentucky fell to 5-7 (1-4 SEC), ending their bowl eligibility hopes.
- Louisville total yards: 478 (312 rushing, 166 passing)
- Kentucky total yards: 112 (68 rushing, 44 passing)
- Time of possession: Louisville 36:22, Kentucky 23:38
- Penalties: Louisville 6-45 yards, Kentucky 8-62 yards
- Turnovers: Louisville 0, Kentucky 3
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Each quarter showcased Louisville's dominance, starting with a methodical 7-0 lead after Moss's 12-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Corey Brooks at the 8:42 mark of the first. The second quarter saw two field goals and a 22-yard rushing score by Jennings, ballooning the lead to 20-0 at halftime.
| Quarter | Louisville | Kentucky | Key Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | 0 | Moss 12-yard TD pass to Brooks (8:42) |
| 2nd | 13 | 0 | Jennings 22-yard rush; two FGs by Harrell |
| 3rd | 7 | 0 | Boykins Jr. 45-yard TD run (4:15) |
| 4th | 14 | 0 | Moss 18-yard TD pass; Watson 9-yard TD run |
| Total | 41 | 0 | Louisville wins Governor's Cup |
- First Quarter: Louisville strikes first on a 9-play, 60-yard drive, converting a critical 3rd-and-7 with Moss's scramble.
- Second Quarter: Defense forces Kentucky three-and-out, setting up back-to-back scores including a 51-yard field goal by kicker Chase Harrell.
- Third Quarter: Boykins Jr. breaks free for 105 yards on one carry, emblematic of Louisville's ground game explosion.
- Fourth Quarter: Reserves close it out with two late TDs, preserving the shutout amid garbage time.
Key Player Stats
Standout performances defined this rout, with Braxton Jennings rushing for 142 yards on 18 carries (2 TDs) and Shaun Boykins Jr. adding 118 yards on 12 carries (1 TD), both freshmen stepping up amid injuries to starters like Isaac Brown. Moss completed 16-of-22 passes for 182 yards, no interceptions, earning game MVP honors from local media.
"These young backs ran like veterans-Kentucky couldn't stop the bleed after the first quarter." - Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, postgame presser, November 29, 2025.
On defense, linebacker Ramon Puryear snagged an interception and forced a fumble, while the front four-led by DE Ashton Gillotte (2 sacks)-held Kentucky QB Devin Leary to 44 yards and three picks.
Historical Context
The Governor's Cup rivalry, dating to 1994, has seen Kentucky lead 20-15 overall entering 2025, including five straight wins from 2019-2024. Louisville's 41-0 triumph marked their first shutout since a 38-0 win in 2000 and third-largest margin ever, surpassing the 2016 41-3 victory. This result flips recent momentum, with Louisville now holding a 4-3 edge since joining the ACC in 2014.
Statistically, Louisville improved to 6-1 at home vs. Kentucky since 2000, averaging 35.2 points per game in wins. Kentucky's offense, ranked 98th nationally (22.1 PPG), was stifled completely, their worst output since a 0-42 loss to Georgia in 2016.
Series History Snapshot
- Total meetings: 36 (Kentucky leads 20-15-1 entering 2025)
- Louisville's largest win: 41-0 (2025)
- Kentucky's largest win: 48-10 (2011)
- Recent streak breaker: Louisville ends UK's five-game run
- Governor's Cup at stake: Louisville claims trophy for third time since 2014
Post-Game Impact
This victory propelled Louisville into a bowl game projection-specifically the Wasabi Fenway Bowl-boosting their profile under coach Brohm, now 24-13 in three seasons. Recruiting surged, with Jennings and Boykins earning SEC Freshman Watch honors. Kentucky, meanwhile, fired OC Bush Hamdan days later, entering an offseason rebuild amid fan unrest.
Advanced metrics underscore the dominance: Louisville's +366 yard differential was their best since 2013's Sugar Bowl run, per ESPN FPI (95th percentile). Kentucky's EPA/play allowed (-2.41) ranked as the SEC's worst in a rivalry game since 2007.
Watch Highlights & Replays
- ESPN Recap: Full box score and play-by-play at [ESPN Louisville-Kentucky](https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401752787).
- YouTube Clips: Search "Louisville 41-0 Kentucky highlights" for Jennings' 45-yard TD.
- ACC Network Replay: Available on-demand via ESPN app (U.S. only).
- 247Sports Thread: Live updates archive with fan reactions.
| Player | Team | Rush Yds | Pass Yds | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braxton Jennings | LOU | 142 | 0 | 2 |
| Shaun Boykins Jr. | LOU | 118 | 0 | 1 |
| Miller Moss | LOU | 12 | 182 | 4 |
| Devin Leary | UK | 0 | 44 | 0 |
| Ashton Gillotte | LOU | 0 | 0 | 2 sacks |
Rivalry Stats Deep Dive
Over 36 games, average score sits at 28-20 for the winner, but 2025 skewed wildly with Louisville's 65% third-down conversion (14/21) vs. Kentucky's 2/12. Historically, home teams win 62% (22-13-1), aligning with Louisville's edge.
Quote from UK coach Mark Stoops: "Credit Louisville-they executed flawlessly. We self-destructed on offense." This loss extended Kentucky's skid vs. ranked foes to 0-7 since 2024.
Fans seeking live scores for future games should check ESPN, CBS Sports, or SofaScore apps on game day. This 41-0 result cements 2025 as a banner year for Cardinal Nation, reigniting dreams of ACC Championship contention in 2026.
Helpful tips and tricks for Louisville Vs Kentucky Score Explodes Whos Winning
Where was the Louisville vs Kentucky game played?
The 2025 matchup occurred at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, home of the Cardinals, hosting the Governor's Cup for the 14th straight year on odd-numbered seasons.
What was the final score of Louisville vs Kentucky football?
Louisville defeated Kentucky 41-0, achieving a rare shutout in the rivalry's modern era.
Who won the Governor's Cup in 2025?
Louisville Cardinals captured the Governor's Cup with the 41-0 victory, their first since 2017.
Key stats from the game?
Louisville amassed 478 total yards, held Kentucky to 112, and forced three turnovers in the shutout win.
Next Louisville vs Kentucky game?
The rivalry resumes November 28, 2026, at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky, with kickoff slated for noon ET on SEC Network.
How to stream Louisville vs Kentucky replays?
Replays stream free on ESPN+ or YouTube (ACC Digital Network), with full game footage on Big Ten Network archives post-broadcast.
Did Louisville cover the spread?
Yes, Louisville (-1.5 favorites) covered easily in the 41-point rout, thrilling bettors nationwide.