#25 Louisville Cardinals 32 Kentucky Wildcats 14

September 2, 2012; Louisville, KY USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Senorise Perry (32) out runs Kentucky Wildcats safety Mikie Benton (31) to score a touchdown during the first half of play at Papa John

The Louisville Cardinals held on the Governors Cup for the second straight year and easily dispatched the Kentucky Wildcats in a 32-14 rout. Louisville showed their intensity from the beginning with an opening drive that went 15 plays for 99 yards. Jeremy Wright scored from one yard out and Strong caught Kentucky sleeping with a two point conversion that gave Louisville a 8-0 lead. Kentucky responded with a drive of their own with a drive that culminated in a Max Smith pass to Tyler Robinson that made the score 8-7. But the cheers stopped then for Kentucky.

Louisville exerted their dominance with a 85 yard drive and a 93 yard drive that gave UL a 22-7 halftime lead and put the game away early.

Teddy Bridgewater was brilliant and went 19-21 with 232 yards and was pulled halfway through the third quarter. The real dominance of this game was the Louisville running game as Louisville rushed for 219 compared to Kentucky’s 93. For the game, UL outgained UK 466-373. Even when Kentucky could move the ball, they were killed by fumbles at the Louisville 39 and 3 yard line that killed drives. Max Smith was the big bright spot for Kentucky, going 35-50 for 280 yards and 2 TD’s.

Kentucky is at home next week against Kent State, while Louisville hosts Missouri State.