![Cardinal juggernaut buries the Wildcats 32-14 [Sports]](/sites/default/files/u5081/GovernorCup01.jpg "Cardinal juggernaut buries the Wildcats 32-14 [Sports]")
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium found a way to cram in a record 55,386 screaming college football fans for the 2012 Governor's Cup game between the University of Louisville Cardinals and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. With the remnants of Hurricane Isaac soaking the fans and the field, the game came down to a final UofL victory 32-14 over the Cats giving Cardinal coach Charlie Strong a 2-1 record in this rivalry game.
The contest played out as predicted with the Cards moving the ball at will and controlling the line of scrimmage. Louisville scored on it's first three long drives of 99, 85 and 93 yards. The Cardinals kept the football for over 36 minutes helped by a two prong running attack. Jeremy Wright scored 3 touchdowns and finished the game with 105 yards rushing. Not to be outdone Senorise Perry ended up with 108 yards rushing and had a touchdown as well. Perry proved his worth on special teams and in the passing game finishing with 133 all purpose yards.
Star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater came off the field in the third quarter with the game well in hand and coach Strong not wanting to risk injury. He finished with 232 yards through the air. Former starter Will Stein came in for Bridgewater and finished the game while protecting the lead. Meanwhile Louisville's special teams, a question mark coming into the game, had with no major glitches.
The Wildcats tried an interesting game plan by pushing the pace and opening the second half with an onside kick. But Louisville proved to have too much talent on both sides of the ball. Bridgewater torched the UK secondary nearly at will while the defense stayed aggressive and kept making plays.
Cats QB Maxwell Smith played a solid game with 280 yards passing and throwing for 2 touchdowns. UK defensive standout Mister Cobble sacked Bridgewater once and finished the game with 5 tackles from his defensive tackle position. Both teams put the ball on the ground, too. UK fumbled twice, losing both of them. UofL fumbled 3 times but recovered each time.
In the end the Cardinal defense proved too strong and the offense too talented for them to be held back. Louisville comes back to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on Saturday to take on Missouri State at 3:30pm.
Photos: Louisville.com/Max Sharp
