LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Kentucky football’s five year winning run against its rivals from the west is over. The Wildcats were never in reach of the lead during a 41-14 thumping at Kroger Field on Saturday at the hands of Louisville. Head Coach Mark Stoops’ team heads into the offseason with a 4-8 record and another streak snapped. UK is not eligible for a bowl game this season breaking a eight year streak of playing in one. “We didn’t have the discipline we needed. We didn’t play as good as we needed to,” said Stoops. “Every level needs to improve and accountability needs to happen.” How it Happened Two quarters and change had gone by before Kentucky reached the endzone. With starting quarterback Cutter Boley hurt on the sidelines, backup Gavin Wimsatt tossed a touchdown pass to wide receiver JaMori Maclin from four yards out. That made the score 20-7. Momentum for UK didn’t pick up after the score as Louisville recovered a Wildcat fumble, ran it in for a touchdown and then added a 24-yard run to paydirt as the third quarter ended, 34-7. In the final fifteen minutes Maclin found the endzone again, but it was a consolation as the Cardinals added seven more points. Final score; 41-14 furthering UK’s season-long slump. The Wildcats head into the offseason needing to find something to turn the offense’s gears. “(Scoring) is a collective thing,” said Maclin. “I still feel like we’re a great team. We have to look back on the season and learn.” Couldn’t Catch the Cards Much like the game at Texas, Kentucky’s total offense (328 yards) was outgained by the rushing attack of the Cardinals. Louisville’s running backs accounted for 358 yards as linebacker D’Eryk Jackson’s absence due to injury continued to hurt the Cats. For a comparison, UK’s leading rusher was Jamarion Wilcox with 66 yards on 12 carries. “I think (Louisville) did a really nice job in the run game,” said Stoops. “We didn’t do very well with support.” Between Boley and Wimsatt, three interceptions went into the hands of UofL defenders. Kentucky also lost two fumbles and the turnover battle, 5-1. Culture Correction A hard fall below Stoops’ standard is what this season will be remembered as. On a player-led team like Kentucky’s, fixing mistakes in the ranks are a part of the steps needed to regain a winning record and attitude. Maclin, defensive back Ty Bryant and linebacker Alex Afari Jr. all seem to be returning next season and say the team needs an increase in player leadership. “Guys holding guys accountable for things,” said Maclin. “A lot more discipline. I feel like that will help us take the next step.” “The people that have been here have to set it straight and let (teammates) know how it is,” said Afari Jr. “Coming to meetings on time and wearing the right stuff. I feel like we became lackadaisical with that stuff,” said Bryant. “When it comes to holding each other accountable I feel like we regressed.” The task at hand for Stoops and his staff is a meeting that’s supposed to take place on Sunday to lookahead to the offseason. ABC36 New Now will keep you updated with news of player and staff departures as well as team members who are planning to remain Wildcats. Categories: Featured, Local News, More Sports, Solid Blue, Sports Tags: ACC, Cardinals, Football, Governor’s Cup, Kentucky, Louisville, SEC, Wildcats