Kentucky shut out by Louisville; misses bowl game for second straight season

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The Kentucky Wildcats were shut out by their rivals, the Louisville Cardinals, by a score of 41–0 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The loss also ensured Kentucky will miss out on postseason play for the second consecutive season.

Kentucky struggled to gain any momentum on either side of the ball. The Wildcat offense managed only 140 total yards (100 passing, 40 rushing). Cutter Boley went 13-for-26 (50% completion) for 100 yards while throwing two interceptions. On the ground, Kentucky lost Seth McGowan on the first drive of the game due to injury and proceeded to gain only 35 more rushing yards the rest of the way.

The offensive line severely struggled against the Cardinals’ defensive front. Louisville recorded six sacks and eight tackles for loss and forced Boley into –29 rushing yards.

The Kentucky defense struggled just as much as the offense. The Wildcats allowed 440 yards of total offense, including two different players surpassing 100 rushing yards—one a walk-on freshman and the other a converted wide receiver. Louisville quarterback Miller Moss also remained effective despite an injured foot, going 12-for-20 for 182 yards and three touchdowns.

This game ends the 2025 Kentucky football season at 5–7, leaving the Wildcats one win short of bowl eligibility. It also marks the second consecutive year Kentucky has finished with fewer than six wins—the first time that has happened since their four-year stretch from 2012–2016.