Louisville closed out its regular season with a statement win - and not just any win, but a 41-0 shutout over in-state rival Kentucky at L&N Stadium. This wasn’t just a rivalry game; it was a full-on domination from start to finish, and it’ll go down as one of the most lopsided victories in the history of the Governor’s Cup.
This 41-point margin marks the Cardinals’ largest win over Kentucky in the 37-game history of the series, topping their 59-28 blowout back in 2006. And while shutouts are rare in this rivalry, this was only the second time Louisville has blanked the Wildcats, the first coming in 2004 with a 28-0 win in Lexington.
But this wasn’t just about the scoreline. This was a showcase of young talent, physical dominance, and a defense that simply refused to budge.
Freshmen Runners Make History - Again
It’s not often you see two freshmen each hit the century mark on the ground in the same game - but Louisville’s backfield isn’t your average group. Braxton Jennings and Shaun Boykins Jr. both crossed the 100-yard threshold, marking just the second time in program history that two freshmen have done so in a single game.
The first? That came just last year, also against Kentucky, when Isaac Brown and Duke Watson ran wild in a 41-14 win.
Jennings, a walk-on true freshman from Ashland, Ky., led all rushers with 113 yards on 20 carries. That’s not just his first 100-yard game - it’s the first time a walk-on in program history has ever hit that milestone.
And he didn’t just rack up yards in garbage time. He was the engine behind one of the most impressive drives of the season: a 17-play, 99-yard march that chewed up over 10 minutes of clock.
Starting from their own one-yard line, Louisville leaned on Jennings, who carried the ball 11 times for 76 yards on that drive alone. Seven of those carries came consecutively to open the drive, setting the tone and wearing down Kentucky’s front.
For his efforts, Jennings earned the Howard Schnellenberger Award as the game’s Most Valuable Player. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even on scholarship.
Then there’s Shaun Boykins Jr. - a redshirt freshman from Radcliff, Ky., who was playing wide receiver just last season. After switching to running back during fall camp, Boykins has been waiting for his shot, learning behind the veterans.
On Saturday, he made the most of his opportunity, rushing for 101 yards on 22 carries and scoring his first career touchdown. He ran with vision, patience, and a physical edge that showed he's more than just a converted wideout - he’s a back to watch moving forward.
TJ Quinn Goes Out with a Bang
On the defensive side, senior linebacker TJ Quinn closed out his career at L&N Stadium with the kind of performance that’s become his trademark - tough, smart, and relentless. He tied for the team lead with 10 tackles, including six solo stops, and added two sacks to finish the regular season with three. That’s double his total coming into the game.
This was the ninth time in Quinn’s career he’s reached double-digit tackles in a game, and he remains the team’s leading tackler with 87 on the season. He also chipped in a shared tackle for loss and broke up his fourth pass of the year, showing once again why he’s been such a steady force at the heart of the Cardinals’ defense.
A Season of Sustained Success
With this win, Louisville locked in at least eight regular-season victories for the fourth straight year - just the second such stretch in program history, matching the consistency they showed from 2003 to 2006. That’s not just a stat - it’s a sign of a program that’s building something sustainable, with a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young stars.
This wasn’t just a rivalry win. This was a flex - a reminder that Louisville’s not just playing for pride in the Bluegrass State.
They’re playing to make noise on a bigger stage. And if this performance is any indication, they’ve got the pieces to do just that.