Mon Dec 01 23:40:00 UTC 2025: UofL’s Unlikely Heroes: Jennings and Boykins Lead Cardinals to Blowout Governor’s Cup Win
Louisville, KY – In a stunning turn of events, two unlikely heroes emerged as the University of Louisville Cardinals dominated the Kentucky Wildcats in the annual Governor’s Cup, securing a 41-0 victory. Braxton Jennings, who began the season as the team’s fifth-string running back, earned MVP honors, while former sixth-stringer Shaun Boykins Jr. also had a breakout performance.
With four running backs sidelined due to injury, Jennings, a walk-on from Ashland, Kentucky, seized his opportunity, rushing for 113 yards on 20 carries. “I just had to wait for my opportunity,” Jennings said after the game. “All the long nights, staying up a little bit, thinking, when am I gonna get my opportunity, and it came today, so it’s a blessing.”
Boykins, who transitioned from receiver during the offseason, contributed significantly with 22 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. “We took it as a challenge,” said Boykins. “We’ve been practicing hard all year, getting these same reps in practice, watching the guys in front of us, learning from them. So we just needed to show that.”
The Cardinals dominated on the ground, amassing 258 rushing yards compared to Kentucky’s paltry 40. UofL head coach Jeff Brohm praised the resilience of Jennings and Boykins. “They just kept inching up the depth chart, so it’s a great story, of just people that love football, that want to be a part of it, and all the sudden their time comes, and they step in a game like this and they deliver, so just a great performance by both of them.”
UofL finishes the regular season with an 8-4 record and now awaits their bowl game destination. For Kentucky, the loss seals a disappointing 5-7 season, marking the second consecutive year they will miss bowl eligibility.
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