Louisville football RBs step up, roll over Kentucky in Governor’s Cup

Louisville football’s Jeff Brohm recaps season after beating Kentucky

Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm shares what the Cardinals must improve on after defeating rival Kentucky 41-0 at L&N Stadium.

• Louisville running backs Braxton Jennings and Shaun Boykins stepped up for the Cardinals in their win over the Kentucky Wildcats.
• Louisville’s win Saturday was its second straight over Kentucky, the program’s first win streak since recording five straight victories over Kentucky between 2011 and 2015.

Louisville football’s running back room looked like the viral final scene of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” heading into the Governor’s Cup against Kentucky on Saturday. 

All four of its scholarship running backs were out, seemingly leaving a solemn running backs coach Chris Barclay with his hands in his pockets looking around at an empty room. When all hope seemed lost after an already frustrating season for the offense, walk-on running back Braxton Jennings and wide receiver-turned-running back Shaun Boykins came to the rescue.

The two sliced through UK’s defense and combined for 214 rushing yards in UofL’s 41-0 win over the Wildcats at L&N Stadium, depriving them of a bowl game for the second straight year. It was the Cards’ second straight win over Kentucky, the team’s first streak since winning five straight between 2011 and 2015. It’s also the first time the Cards shut out the Cats since a 28-0 victory in 2004 and the program’s largest margin of victory over UK. 

Defensive lineman Clev Lubin was instrumental, recording two sacks, two quarterback hurries and four total tackles. Safety D’Angelo Hutchinson had 10 tackles for his second straight and third overall double-digit tackling effort. Cornerback Tayon Holloway had two interceptions. 

Jennings only had three offers coming out of Ashland Blazer High School, none of which were Power Four programs, according to 247Sports. Instead of going to a smaller school, he walked on at Louisville this year. Before Saturday, Jennings had 17 carries for 87 yards. By the end of the game, he had a career-high 113 rushing yards. According to statistician Kelly Dickey, Jennings is the first walk-on in program history to accomplish the feat. 

Terrence McWilliams recovered a punt that Eric Hazzard blocked 10 yards outside of the end zone midway through the first quarter. Jennings had three runs for 9 yards, setting up Miller Moss’ 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down for the early 7-0 lead. Moss ended the regular season with nine rushing TDs, which ranks sixth most by a Louisville quarterback in a season. 

Boykins, who also had a career-high 101 yards, was part of the 2024 recruiting class and came to Louisville as a receiver. But during the offseason, Barclay had a hunch about the North Hardin graduate and persuaded him to move over to train with the running backs. No one could’ve known how important that would be several months later as Boykins got his first collegiate start running out of the backfield in the regular season-ending rivalry game. 

The Cards’ offensive line helped make holes for Boykins, who capitalized with his first career touchdown on a 5-yard run in the third quarter and a 27-0 Louisville lead. 

Louisville awaits its bowl game destination, which will be announced on Dec. 7. The latest projections have the Cardinals going to the Mayo Bowl, Gasparilla Bowl and Fenway Bowl, among others.

Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.