Three Plays: Will Levis rumbles, Kentucky smashes Louisville

On3 imageby:Adam Luckett11/28/21

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Kentucky hammered Louisville once again in the Governor’s Cup rivalry. Quarterback Will Levis was the surprise star.

The Penn State transfer rushed for a career-high 113 yards and four touchdowns with 149 passing yards on 18 throws. In the 52-21 win, Louisville’s defense left the middle of the field open on passing downs.

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen appeared to have noticed that on tape. Meanwhile, the defense made a few key situational stops in the first half, and the blowout was on at Cardinal Stadium.

KSR has the three plays that made the difference.

Explosive QB draw

On the first possession of the game, Kentucky got right to work. Will Levis hit Wan’Dale Robinson for an explosive play on the first snap of the game. Four plays later, Kentucky had its first third down of the game after creating a scoring opportunity.

Liam Coen went to QB draw, and Will Levis delivered.

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On the snap, Louisville runs a twist upfront and brings one linebacker. Meanwhile, the other two linebackers sprint outside and leave the middle wide open. Some strong blocking from center Luke Fortner and left guard Kenneth Horsey creates a wide-open lane.

The quarterback cashes and sets the table for the rest of the game. Kentucky’s offense ran wild for 362 yards, and Levis was a major reason why.

Third down scramble from Will Levis

After going up 17-7 on a Matt Ruffolo field goal, Kentucky’s defense responded to get their first three-and-out of the game. Following a Louisville punt, the Wildcats found themselves with the ball at their own 35 with just under eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Kentucky, however, quickly found itself in a huge third-and-long. Will Levis would make another play.

Defensive coordinator Bryan Brown brought six players against a five-man protection, and safety Kenderick Duncan was a free runner. However, Levis was able to escape.

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Left tackle Dare Rosenthal is able to come up off the edge rusher who follows Kavosiey Smoke out of the backfield to get a hand on the safety blitz. That gives Levis just enough room to leak out and move the chains.

Nine plays later, Levis would score from five yards out on another third down as Kentucky capped off a 65-yard drive in 12 plays that milked over six minutes of game clock.

In a first-half filled with Kentucky haymakers, this drive might have done the most damage. Once again, Levis and his legs made the difference as the Wildcats scored a huge Middle Eight touchdown.

Situational stop

Louisville had their backs firmly against the wall after Kentucky extended the lead to 17 points after the third rushing touchdown from Will Levis. With 1:53 remaining until halftime, the Cards had a chance to swing the game with a scoring drive and another possession to begin the second half.

Despite Malik Cunningham missing one play, the Cards marched 53 yards in four plays and had a second-and-two from the Kentucky 22. An incompletion set up a huge third down. Josh Paschal then made one of the biggest plays of the game.

On the speed option concept, Louisville right tackle Renato Brown (No. 56) does not get a hand on Paschal. The field defensive end shoots the gap and does just enough to get Cunningham on the ground.

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Instead of a 39-yard field goal, Louisville had to settle for a 49-yard attempt. James Turner’s kick was wide, and Kentucky would enter the half with a 17-point lead. After an unsuccessful first drive of the third quarter, the game was officially over.

Kentucky dominated situational football.

To end another strong year, the Wildcats hammered their rival in the Governor’s Cup to lock up a 9-3 record for the second time in four seasons. The Wildcats did it with a punishing ground game and some key situational football from the defense.

Blowout rivalry football is the best version of college football.

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2024-03-28