Nobody in Lexington really expected the wheels to fall off that fast. You know how rivalry games go; usually, it’s a dogfight where the records don't matter, but the UK UL football game 2024 was different. It felt like a shift in the local ecosystem. For years, Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats had a psychological stranglehold on the Governor’s Cup. Five straight wins. A lot of trash talk. Then, November 30 rolled around, and Jeff Brohm’s Louisville squad didn't just win—they rearranged the furniture at Kroger Field.
41-14.
That’s a loud score. It’s the kind of score that sends fans to the parking lot by the start of the fourth quarter to beat the traffic on Tates Creek Road. If you were looking for a classic, back-and-forth thriller, this wasn't it. This was a ground-and-pound clinic.
The Freshman Who Stole the Show
If you follow ACC ball, you already knew Isaac Brown was special. But what he did in the UK UL football game 2024 was basically his coming-out party for the rest of the country. He ran like he was shot out of a cannon. 26 carries for 178 yards. He didn’t just move the chains; he broke the Louisville true freshman rushing record, passing a guy you might have heard of named Lamar Jackson.
Think about that for a second.
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Lamar Jackson is a literal MVP, and this kid just moved him to second place in the record books. Brown had a one-yard plunge early to get things moving, but his 67-yard sprint in the fourth quarter was the absolute dagger. It was beautiful and brutal.
But he wasn't alone in the backfield. Duke Watson, another freshman, decided to join the party. He only touched the ball six times. Most guys would have a quiet afternoon with that workload. Watson? He turned those six touches into 104 yards and two touchdowns. His 58-yard burst down the left sideline in the second quarter made the Kentucky defense look like they were running in work boots.
What Happened to the Wildcats?
Honestly, it was a mess from the jump. Kentucky was trying to look into the future by starting true freshman Cutter Boley. It was a bold move. Maybe too bold? Boley is a local kid with a massive arm, but the Louisville defense treated him like a freshman. They picked him off twice. He only finished with 48 yards passing before getting pulled.
Then came the turnovers.
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You can’t win a rivalry game when you give the ball away five times. It’s impossible. Kentucky fumbled, they threw picks, they basically handed Louisville short fields all afternoon. Tamarion McDonald was everywhere for the Cards, snagging an interception and recovering a fumble.
Gavin Wimsatt came in for Kentucky and provided the only real highlights for the home crowd. He hooked up with Ja'Mori Maclin for a couple of scores, including an 83-yard bomb that actually set a Governor’s Cup record for the longest pass play. It was a 20-year-old record previously held by Dave Ragone. But by the time that happened, the lead was already out of reach. Kentucky finished the season 4-8, which meant their eight-year bowl streak officially went up in smoke.
The Governor’s Cup Returns to the 502
It had been since 2017. That’s a long time to wait for a trophy that sits right down the road. The UK UL football game 2024 wasn't just about one season; it was about ending the "big brother" narrative that had settled over the state. Louisville outgained Kentucky 486 to 328. They dominated the time of possession. They were 5-of-13 on third down, while Kentucky went 0-for-9.
Zero. For. Nine.
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That’s the stat that tells the whole story. You can't sustain drives when you can't convert on third down, and Louisville’s defensive front, led by guys like Ashton Gillotte, stayed in the backfield all day.
For Jeff Brohm, this was the "prove it" moment. He was brought back to his alma mater to win games like this. Losing to your rival five years in a row is a heavy weight for any program to carry. By the time the clock hit zero in the freezing Lexington air, that weight was gone. Louisville finished the regular season 8-4, headed for a decent bowl game, and with a backfield full of freshmen who are going to be nightmares for the SEC and ACC for the next three years.
Key Takeaways and What’s Next
If you're a Kentucky fan, the offseason is going to be long and loud. The quarterback battle between Boley and Wimsatt is officially "on" for the spring. There are also plenty of questions about the defense, which usually is the backbone of a Stoops team but got shredded for 358 rushing yards in this one.
For the Louisville faithful, it’s all about the hype train. Isaac Brown is a legitimate star. The defense is opportunistic. Most importantly, the Governor's Cup is back in Louisville for the first time in nearly a decade.
Your Game Day Checklist for the Offseason:
- Watch the tape: Go back and look at Isaac Brown’s vision on that 67-yard run; it’s a masterclass in hitting the hole.
- Monitor the portal: Both teams are going to be active. Kentucky needs offensive line help, and Louisville will likely look to supplement their receiving corps.
- Circle the date: Check the 2025 schedule early. The next chapter of this rivalry happens at L&N Stadium, and the vibes will be completely different.
- Check the records: Look up Ja'Mori Maclin’s stats; his 121 yards were the most by a UK receiver against Louisville in Lexington history.
This game changed the trajectory for both programs heading into 2025. One is searching for an identity, while the other just found theirs in a pair of lightning-fast freshmen.