Cards Close Regular Season with Statement Win Over Rival, Show Resilience in Face of Adversity
College football can be a rollercoaster, and this season was no exception for the Cards. One minute, fans are ready to build statues for the coaching staff.
The next, they’re tracking flights on social media and calling for heads to roll. That’s the nature of the sport - emotional, passionate, and often dictated by what happened last Saturday.
But after three straight losses, the mood around the program had soured. Injuries had piled up, the offense looked out of sync, and the defense had just turned in its worst performance of the year.
Heading into the rivalry game, expectations were tempered. No starting quarterback, no top wideout, a banged-up WR2, and the top three running backs out?
That’s not just adversity - that’s a full-blown crisis.
And yet, the Cards didn’t just survive. They dominated.
A Rivalry Rout That Meant More Than Just Bragging Rights
Hanging 41 points on your in-state rival is always going to feel good. Shutting them out?
That’s the kind of win that gets remembered. No, it doesn’t erase the sting of the Clemson game or the disappointment from the recent skid.
But when you step back and look at the full picture - eight wins, a victory over a Top 5 Miami team, meaningful games in November with CFP implications, and a blowout win over your biggest rival - this season was far from a failure.
Yes, there’s a hunger for more. That’s the standard now.
But it’s also worth appreciating what this team accomplished, especially considering how hard the injury bug hit and how close those three losses were - a combined margin of just seven points. That’s a few plays from 11-1.
Sometimes, the difference between heartbreak and celebration is razor-thin.
Offense: Freshman Backs Step Up, O-Line Sets the Tone
Let’s be honest - this game could’ve gone sideways in a hurry. The offense was depleted, and Kentucky’s defense isn’t exactly a pushover. But once again, the Cards found lightning in a bottle with a pair of freshman running backs who ran like seasoned vets.
For the second straight year, two first-year backs eclipsed the 100-yard mark against Kentucky. This time, it was Jennings and Boykins pounding the rock behind an offensive line that played its best game of the season.
The same line that used to be a liability in years past? They were bullies on Saturday - pushing around a Kentucky front that had no answers.
The Cards racked up 214 rushing yards, and it felt like more.
Credit to Moss, too. Playing through injury, he didn’t have to do much, but he did enough.
The first drive was sharp - a few big throws, good ball security, and no panic. If Miller opts out of the bowl game, he’s still earned his flowers for what he did this year.
The drop-off when he wasn’t in the game earlier this season told us everything we needed to know.
With Bell out and Lacy less than 100%, the receiving corps stepped up. Meeks, Hurry, Skinner, and Collins all made plays. It was a true team effort - and a bounce-back performance the offense desperately needed.
Defense: A Statement Shutout and Total Domination
Let’s rewind a week. The defense looked lost.
The gameplan was questionable. The tackling was worse.
But this week? It was a total reversal.
From the opening snap, the Cards’ defense imposed its will. They controlled the line of scrimmage, suffocated Kentucky’s run game, and made life miserable for Boley, who never found a rhythm.
This was physical, disciplined, and relentless football. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone why this unit had been one of the best in the country for most of the season.
There weren’t major injury concerns on this side of the ball, but the morale had taken a hit. Saturday was a chance to reset the narrative - and they did that in emphatic fashion. Whether or not we see all of these guys back next season or in the bowl game is still up in the air, but they deserve credit for how they closed out the regular season.
Special Teams: Clean Execution with One Head-Scratcher
Special teams had been shaky in recent weeks, but against Kentucky, they locked in. Coop was back to his usual self, going 2-for-2 on field goals.
The punting unit was sharp, averaging nearly 45 yards per punt with all four landing inside the 20. They even blocked a punt early - a momentum-swinging play that helped set the tone for the blowout.
The only blemish? That bizarre end-of-half sequence.
It looked like a miscommunication on clock management, and while it didn’t end up mattering, it’s the kind of thing that can cost you in a tighter game. Still, the unit as a whole rebounded well.
If Coop decides to run it back in 2026, the Cards will be in good shape in the kicking game.
Final Thoughts: A Season That Meant Something
This wasn’t a perfect season. The Cards had chances to do something truly special and came up just short.
But it was still a meaningful step forward. The program showed it could compete with the best, even when the roster was stretched thin.
They played tough, physical football, and when it mattered most - against their biggest rival - they delivered a performance that fans won’t soon forget.
Some of these players won’t suit up in red and black again. Whether it’s the NFL, the portal, or graduation, change is coming. But they left the field Saturday with their heads high and their legacy intact.
And for a team that’s been through the wringer this season, that’s worth celebrating.