Kentucky Ends Football Season in Disappointment

By Hayden Kennedy

The 2024 Kentucky football season came to a close on Saturday with a 41-14 loss to Louisville Cardinals, the first since 2017. For UK, the setback ended a five-game winning streak in the series.

Kentucky freshman Cutter Boley throws a pass against Louisville Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field. (UK Athletics Photo by Ethan Rand)

Kentucky freshman quarterback Cutter Boley got his first start of the season as he went 6 of 15 passing for 48 yards and two interceptions before going down early in the third quarter from a hit by Louisville defensive lineman Thor Griffith. Gavin Wimsatt replaced him and finished with two touchdown passes to Ja'Mori Maclin.  His 83-yard touchdown pass to Maclin in the third quarter broke the Governor’s Cup record for longest pass.

With zero conference wins at home and a loss in the Governer’s Cup, it was a very frustrating season for the Wildcats. Many fans speculated and voiced their opinions regarding UK coach Mark Stoops' future. Stoops acknowledged the disappointing season. 

“Yeah, I understand the frustrations completely,” said Stoops. “We are not very happy as well. I can promise you that we are going to get back to work and get it fixed. The misery index goes around, you know, it goes around. For myself, I've been around a long time and I'm really concerned and concentrated and excited about the rebuild. Fans got to wait a long time. I get to go to work tomorrow and for that I understand it and accept it and can promise you we will go to work to get the team back to being a team they can be very proud of."

Added linebacker Alex Afari Jr. on the tough loss and season, “We just didn’t have the season we wanted to. Especially in this house as well, not what we expected to come out. We have to come back next year with a better team, better discipline, more as a team.”

Kentucky ends its season with a record of 4-8 overall and 1-6 in the SEC. 

Hayden Kennedy, a recent UK graduate, is a contributing writer from Lexington.

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops speaks to media in a postgame press conference following his team's loss to Louisville Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field.