CARDINALS

Instant Analysis | U of L Governor's Cup notes

Jeff Greer
Louisville Courier Journal
L.J. Scott and Kyle Bolin celebrate the Cardinals taking a 28-20 lead on Kentucky in the third quarter.

MVP. It has to be Kyle Bolin, who finished with 300-plus passing yards and added to this rivalry's long history with an out-of-nowhere relief appearance. Tons more on him below.

Turning point. How about Louisville's response to Kentucky's go-ahead score from Boom Williams? After Williams' Muscle Milk touchdown run gave UK the 40-37 lead, U of L rolled back with an 81-yard drive of its own. Bolin hit DeVante Parker for another ridiculous course-corrected leap-and-grab big gain, and then Brandon Radcliff hustled in for the game-winning score from four yards out.

Play of the game. In a game of many, many head-turning plays, Kyle Bolin's second 45-yard touchdown pass to DeVante Parker jolted the game back to Louisville's favor. The Cards started at their own 4-yard line, only needing six plays to go nearly the entire length of the field. Bolin hit James Quick for 29 yards and Kai De La Cruz for another 22 to get Louisville away from its own end zone, and then he left his TD pass a little back behind Parker, who adjusted and hauled it in just ahead of a UK defender, who fell, which allowed Parker to race to the end zone.

On the ensuing possession, James Sample gabbed his fourth pick of the season and John Wallace kicked a field goal.

Surprise. I don't think any other answer than Kyle Bolin fits here. I mean, I could just write "Kyle Bolin" and be done with it. The kid came a long way to be the star of this game. He wasn't even on the depth chart to start the season, and when Will Gardner was hurt the first time this season, back in October, Brett Nelson was actually listed as the backup QB behind Reggie Bonnafon.

But the second time Gardner was knocked out, this time for the season, Bolin slid into the No. 2 QB spot. He immediately stepped in for Bonnafon on Saturday and looked comfortable and confident, needing two passes to help Louisville score its first touchdown. He had a bit of a topsy-turvy day after that, throwing a bad interception and losing a fumble, both of which were returned for touchdowns. But he also posted an impressive stat line.

Takeaways. What a game. Louisville was the more talented team all season, but Kentucky came to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium all kinds of revved up for the rivalry game. UK needed the win to become bowl eligible. Louisville needed the win to stay in the hunt for an Orange Bowl berth, though it's doubtful that'll happen after Georgia Tech and Clemson both won today.

Ultimately the win was another emotional Cards' victory. Gerod Holliman tied the NCAA record for interceptions in a season on the game's ending play.