Recap: UK vs U of L

This was a tough pill to swall after UK's late rally wasn't enough to keep the winning streak vs the Cards alive. Kentucky started the game off well in the opening drive when Morgan Newton connected to Josh Clemons with a 38-yard pass but had to settle for a FG. Louisville would take the lead late in the 1st Quarter and never look back when QB Will Stein completed a 38-yard TD pass to Andrell Smith. Early in the 2nd Qtr, Stein left the game with a right shoulder injury and true freshman Teddy Bridgewater came in to replace him. Bridgewater played well despite inexperience throwing for 106 yards and two touchdown passes. Kentucky had an impressive 80 yard drive to end the 2nd Qtr that resulted in a 15-yard TD catch by LaRod King.

UK's offense showed some life in the 4th Qtr. The Cats on their opening possession of the 4th put together a 77-yard drive on 15 plays and scored on a 2-yard pass from Newton to E.J. Fields. The defense held Louisville to a 3 and out and got the ball back with 2:27 left on the clock. The Cats got to the 15 yard line but DeMarco Robinson fumbled inside the ten. Luckily UK could recover the ball back but wouldn't score as Newton's pass sailed out of bounds to end the game.

Louisville's running game was a major difference in the game while UK's was almost non-existant. Louisville rushed for 181 yards to UK's 35. The offensive line still continued to have struggles so far this year allowing 6 sacks for -41 yards. Newton attempted to run 13 times for -19 yards. Kentucky was able to convert for 21 first downs in the game. Why by no means was UK's passing great in terms of completion percentage, it showed progress in this game. Morgan Newton passed for 255 yards yards in this game and in the previous two games, he had 211 combined. UK's receivers caught 27 passes in the game. E.J. Fields impressed me with seven receptions for 57 yards and a TD pass. He emerged to give UK another WR target a long with LaRod King.

Final Score U of L 24 UK 17

Kentucky will open SEC conference play next weekend vs the Florida Gators Saturday at 7 PM.