Steve Jones

@stevejones_cj

DeVante Parker made his last game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium one to remember.

Louisville's superstar wide receiver burned Kentucky for six catches for 180 yards and three touchdowns and won the Howard Schnellenberger Most Valuable Player award during the Cardinals' 44-40 victory on Senior Day. Now with 33 career TD catches, he tied Ibn Green (1996-99) for U of L's all-time lead.

"No. 9 had some big plays. He is amazing," U of L coach Bobby Petrino said, referring to Parker's jersey number. "It was fun to watch him compete and perform out there."

Parker, the 6-foot-3 athletic wizard, jumped over and sped past UK's defensive backs, including on a 45-yard TD from Kyle Bolin with 7:58 to play that helped the Cardinals take a 34-33 lead. After UK retook the lead, his 26-yard catch about four minutes later helped set up the Cardinals' final, winning touchdown.

Parker was surprised to see UK's DBs attempt to cover him one on one.

"I was glad they did," he said. "They had no chance."

When Bolin, a little-used backup, was thrust into action early in the second quarter after Reggie Bonnafon was injured, Parker helped make things easier on the new QB, making a 45-yard TD catch on Bolin's second snap.

"I told him when he came in I'd get the ball for him, that I got him, whatever it is, I'd catch it," Parker said.

That proved mostly true. It was Parker's ninth career 100-yard receiving game, tying for the sixth-most at U of L, and the Ballard High School graduate closed out Senior Day with his fourth straight victory over the in-state rivals.

"It was a good feeling," he said. "The fans have been supporting me since my freshman year, and we knew we had to come out and win for them."

Steve Jones can be reached at (502) 582-7176 and followed on Twitter at @SteveJones_CJ.