< PreviousBy Corey Price UK Sports Network/UK Athletics PR & Athletics Communications IN HONOR OF THE GOVERNOR’S CUP TURNING 30 YEARS OLD THIS SEASON, LET’S LOOK BACK AT KENTUCKY’S TOP 10 WINS OVER LOUISVILLE DURING THAT PERIOD GOVERNOR'S CUPL et’s take a brief trip back in time, to September 3, 1994. Moviegoers are flocking to the theaters to see Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump” on the big screen. On the radio, Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love To You” is dominating the airwaves. Most of the nation is eagerly awaiting the hit televi- sion show “Seinfield” to begin its sixth sea- son. In the world of sports, Major League Baseball is in the midst of a labor strike and current Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops is pulling double duty as both the athletic director and the defensive backs coach at Nordonia High School in Mace- donia, Ohio. In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, however, the landscape of col- lege football within the state will drastical- ly change. The two premier universities in the Bluegrass, Kentucky and Louisville, had not played each other on the gridiron since October 4, 1924, an astounding 25,536 days. With help from the state legislature, the two schools could no longer avoid each other when it came to football. The schools were also starting a tradition of playing for a trophy presented to the annual winner, the Governor’s Cup. In honor of the 30th anni- versary of the renewal of the state’s biggest football rivalry, I have compiled my 10 most favorite wins for the Kentucky Wildcats over the Louisville Cardinals. I will look back at these 10 victories in chronological order. Without further ado, let us look back at these great wins for Kentucky. September 3, 1994: Kentucky – 20 Louisville – 14 It was impossible to not include the first game in the renewal of the rivalry on this list. Within the Commonwealth, it was sim- ply known as “Game One”. And the game lived up to the hype, with the teams tied at 14 going into the fourth quarter. Kentucky’s defense came up big in the clutch in the final quarter, forcing three Louisville turn- overs. The first key turnover came with 6:09 left in the game, when Wildcats linebacker Donte’ Key forced a Louisville fumble, re- covered by Kentucky. With the starting quar- terback Jeff Speedy out of the game with a separated shoulder, Kentucky’s backup quarterback Antonio O’Ferral methodically led the Wildcats down the field. And, with 3:18 remaining in the fourth quarter, O’Fer- ral ran into the endzone from four yards out to give Kentucky the 20-14 lead. To seal the game, Key once again made a crucial play on defense, intercepting Louisville quarter- back Marty Lowe with just 19 seconds re- maining. The Wildcats were the first to hoist the Governor’s Cup in victory, in front of a then-school record crowd of 59,162 fans at Commonwealth Stadium. This ended up be- ing Kentucky’s only win of the season, fin- ishing with a 1-10 record. August 30, 1997: Kentucky – 38 Louisville – 24 The Louisville Cardinals were the first school to win consecutive games in the new Governor’s Cup rivalry, so there was certainly pressure on Kentucky to get the victory in 1997. The Wildcats’ fans were eager to see the new “Air Raid” offense, led by head coach Hal Mumme and soph- omore starting quarterback Tim Couch, and Kentucky did not disappoint. The Wildcats tried to deliver a knockout punch in the first quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points on three Couch touchdown passes to three different receivers – Lance Mickelsen, Jim- my Robinson, and Anthony White. Being the proud program that they are, Louisville did not lay down, scoring the game’s next 17 points to get within four points of the lead. But Kentucky did have enough in the tank to deliver that knockout punch, scoring 17 of the game’s final 24 points, including an electric 80-yard touchdown pass from Couch to Kio Sanford, to provide the final victorious score, 38-24. The “Air Raid” debut could not have been better, with Couch setting then-school records for most completions (36) and most passing yards (398) in a single game. September 5, 1998: Kentucky – 68 Louisville – 34 It was Kentucky’s turn to win consecu- tive games in the Governor’s Cup rivalry, and the Wildcats were not polite guests in Louisville’s first ever game played in their new Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. In his second season under the “Air Raid”, junior quarterback Tim Couch was in complete control of the offense, and it showed in the first half, with Kentucky racing out to a com- manding 41-10 lead at halftime. The domi- nation continued into the second half, and with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Couch to Quentin McCord on the first play of the fourth quarter, the Wildcats’ lead was at 39 points, 55-16, and Couch’s day was done. Louisville did have a bit of a moral victo- ry, outscoring Kentucky 18-13 in the final 14 minutes of the game, but it fell woeful- ly short of keeping the game competitive, with the Wildcats routing the Cardinals by 34 points, 68-34. Couch, en route to a Heisman Trophy finalist campaign, was al- most flawless on this day, breaking or tying school records for most passing yards (498) and most passing touchdowns (seven) in a single game. Kentucky as a team set school records for most passing yards (571) and most total yards of offense (801) in a single game as well. September 1, 2002: Kentucky – 22 No. 17 Louisville – 17 Louisville had all the momentum com- ing into this contest, winners of each of the last three Governor’s Cup games by a com- bined score of 132-72. The Cardinals were ranked No. 17 in the Preseason AP Poll, with starting quarterback Dave Ragone widely considered as a potential Heisman Trophy contender, with bobbleheads of himself in the Heisman pose distributed to Heisman Trophy voters leading up to the annual rival- ry game. Once they got between the lines, it was Kentucky that first had the momentum, scoring the game’s first 16 points, including a 64-yard touchdown pass from junior quar- terback Jared Lorenzen to Ernest Simms in the first quarter. Louisville came roaring back though, scoring the game’s next 17 points, including an electrifying 100-yard kickoff return by Broderick Clark, to cling to a slim one-point lead at 17-16 with just under six minutes left in the third quarter. The game With a 20-14 victory, Kentucky hoisted the first Governor's Cup Trophy in 1994. 10 @UKFootballLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for complete UK Sports Network coverage of the Cats. Mark Stoops Radio Show Tune in all season long to the UK Sports Network for official coverage of Kentucky Wildcats Football. Visit UKathletics.com/UKSportsNetwork for radio and tv affiliates in your area. Monday Nights this Fall 6-7 p.m. on the UK Sports Network.was decided on the leg of the Wildcats’ red- shirt freshman Taylor Begley, successfully connecting on two field goals in the final 17 minutes of the game to provide the final score, 22-17. Kentucky’s defense created havoc for Ragone all game, forcing him to complete less than 36-percent of his passes, sacking him three times, and forcing three turnovers. This was Kentucky’s first road win over an opponent ranked in the AP Poll since October 17th, 1998, at No. 21 LSU. September 15, 2007: Kentucky – 40 No. 9 Louisville - 34 The Louisville Cardinals had flat out dominated the Governor’s Cup series head- ing into the 2007 season, having won sev- en of the last eight meetings between the two schools, including each of the last four matchups by a combined score of 158-76. Add the fact that the Cardinals had just jumped into the Top 10 of the AP Poll, No. 9, and Kentucky was provided with a daunt- ing task to reclaim the trophy. To throw a wrench into the equation, this was the first year of the renewed rivalry that the contest was not the first game of the season for both teams, with Kentucky and Louisville having identical 2-0 records heading into the game. The recent results of the rivalry did not faze the Wildcats one bit, racing out to a 13-0 lead late into the first quarter, with kicker Lones Seiber connecting on a pair of field goals. The Cardinals had a run of their own up their sleeve, outscoring Kentucky 21-6 over final 16:11 of the first half to go into the locker room with a slim two-point lead, 21- 19. The two teams started the second half al- ternating the next four touchdowns scored, with Louisville’s Anthony Allen scoring on a two-yard run with just 1:45 left in the game, giving the Cardinals a one-point lead, 34- 33, and perhaps the dagger. But the Wild- cats did not go quiet into that good night. Senior quarterback Andre’ Woodson led Kentucky on a march down the field, and with just 35 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, provided one of the most thrilling finishes in Commonwealth Stadium history. After a costly 15-yard personal foul penalty by offensive lineman Eric Scott, Woodson found senior wide receiver Stevie Johnson wide open down the left sideline and con- nected on a 57-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds left to give the Wildcats the 40- 34 lead and send the crowd into an absolute frenzy. Louisville had one final shot at pull- ing off a miraculous win, with quarterback Brian Brohm finding wider receiver Harry Douglas on a deflected Hail Mary pass, but Douglas was tackled around the 11-yard line and the upset victory for Kentucky was complete. The star of the game on offense for Kentucky was senior running back Rafa- el Little, gaining 162 yards from scrimmage (151 rushing, 11 receiving). This was the Wildcats’ first win over an opponent ranked in the Top 10 of the AP Poll since October 1st, 1977, when they defeated No. 4 Penn State 24-20. November 26, 2016: Kentucky – 41 No. 11 Louisville – 38 Once again, Kentucky was heading into the Governor’s Cup battle on the wrong side of the rivalry, having lost five consec- utive meetings against Louisville, the Cardi- nals’ longest ever winning streak against the Wildcats. To add insult to injury, Louisville was near the Top 10 of the AP Poll, they had the most entertaining and athletic player in the country, and eventual Heisman Trophy winner, in sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson, and they were favored by a whop- ping 26.5 points in the betting world. Jack- son started off the game in typical fashion, scoring on a 19-yard run a little over two minutes into the contest to give the Cardinals a quick 7-0 lead. But Louisville was sorely mistaken if they thought that a blowout was in their near future. On Kentucky’s first play from scrimmage, junior quarterback Stephen Johnson connected with junior wide receiver Garrett Johnson on a 75-yard bomb and, just like that, tied the game at 7-7 just 18 sec- onds after the Cardinals’ first score. After a 36-yard touchdown run by Wildcats’ junior running back “Boom” Williams to take a brief lead, Louisville answered back, scoring 17 unanswered points, to regain the lead at 24-14. Kentucky gained a bit of momentum heading into the locker room, scoring on yet another deep pass from Johnson to John- son, this time 63 yards, narrowing the Car- dinals’ lead to just three points at halftime, 24-21. The Wildcats continued that momen- tum into the second half, scoring 17 of the game’s next 24 points, with Johnson’s 35- yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Dorian Baker giving Kentucky the lead 38- 31 within the first minute of the fourth quar- ter. Jackson created more big plays for the Louisville offense and tied the game at 38 with 7:44 remaining in the game on a one- yard touchdown run. The Cardinals got the ball back and appeared to be on the move to a late game-winning touchdown when Jack- son fumbled the ball at the 10-yard line with just 1:45 left in the fourth quarter. Stephen Johnson led the Wildcats’ offense down the field, setting up junior kicker Austin Mac- Ginnis with a 47-yard field goal attempt in the final minute of the game. With just 12 seconds remaining, MacGinnis calmly kicked the ball between the uprights to give Kentucky the lead at 41-38. Louisville’s last gasp effort at a miraculous win came up short, as Jackson’s heave on the final play of the game was intercepted by sophomore safety Mike Edwards. The Wildcats had done what most pundits thought was unthinkable, defeating the Cardinals 41-38 in one of the biggest upsets in school history in terms of point spread. Jackson put up Heisman-like numbers, compiling 452 yards of total of- fense, but the Kentucky defense made plays when they needed to, forcing him into four total turnovers (three interceptions, one fum- ble). The Johnsons were the difference on offense for the Wildcats, with Stephen pass- ing for 338 yards and three touchdowns and Garrett amassing 164 receiving yards on just five receptions. November 24, 2018: No. 17 Kentucky – 56 Louisville – 10 Louisville got payback for Kentucky’s up- set win in 2016, dismantling the Wildcats 44-17 in Lexington in 2017. The Wildcats On Kentucky's first play from scrimmage in 2016, Garrett Johnson scored on a 75-yard touchdown reception. 12 @UKFootballwere looking for revenge for their embar- rassing defeat and they certainly achieved that in their final regular season game of the 2018 season at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadi- um. What ensued over the next 40 minutes of football was the most lopsided win in the history of the Governor’s Cup rivalry. Ken- tucky scored the first two touchdowns of the game, on the ground by junior running back Benny Snell, Jr. and sophomore quar- terback Terry Wilson, to quickly take a 14-0 lead over Louisville. The Cardinals quick- ly responded with a score of their own, a dazzling 75-yard run by quarterback Malik Cunningham to cut the Wildcats’ lead to just seven points, 14-7. That spectacular run by Cunningham was the only highlight of the evening for Louisville. Starting early in the second quarter, and over a span of 38:23 of game time, Kentucky thoroughly dominat- ed the Cardinals, outscoring Louisville by a score of 42-3, including scoring the game’s final 35 points. It was a balanced offensive attack for the Wildcats, scoring exactly 21 points in both the second and fourth quar- ters. Kentucky also spread the wealth around when it came to scoring, with six different players scoring their eight total touchdowns, with Snell, Jr. and sophomore wide receiver Lynn Bowden, Jr. leading the team with two touchdowns each. The 46-point win for the Wildcats is still the largest margin of victory in the Governor’s Cup rivalry. November 30, 2019: Kentucky – 45 Louisville – 13 Kentucky needed to capitalize on the mo- mentum from their previous season’s 46-point blowout win over the Cardinals in the 2019 edition of the Governor’s Cup rivalry in Lex- ington. The weather did not cooperate though, with a torrential downpour on gameday. Add the fact that the Wildcats were starting a wide receiver, junior Lynn Bowden, Jr., at quarter- back and it was clear what their gameplan was against Louisville. What happened on the wet and soggy field that day was one of the greatest ground attacks, both individually and as a team, in school history. The Cardinals took it to the air for the game’s first touchdown, a 33-yard pass from Malik Cunningham to Tutu Atwell for a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter. But, just like the 2018 edition of the rivalry, Kentucky overwhelmed Louisville the rest of the game, outscoring the Cardinals 45-7 over a span of 46:09 of gametime. Bowden, Jr. had one of the best individual performances ever by a Wildcat, tying the school record with four rushing touchdowns and racking up 284 rush- ing yards, the second most in a single game in school history. The rushing attack was not lim- ited to just Bowden, Jr. as the team combined to pile up a school record 517 yards on the ground. Kentucky ran 42 plays in the game, with just two passing attempts. November 27, 2021: Kentucky – 52 Louisville – 21 The rivalry was on pause for one season due to Kentucky’s SEC-only schedule for the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Luckily for the Wildcats, a year off from the Gov- ernor’s Cup rivalry did not slow down their momentum one bit against Louisville. Both teams traded touchdowns within the first 7:30 of the first quarter to have a tied contest at seven. In a recurring theme from the pre- vious two meetings against the Cardinals, Kentucky thoroughly outplayed Louisville over a span of 32:45, blanking the Cardi- nals 38-0, capped off by a 13-yard touch- down run by junior running back Kavosiey Smoke early in the fourth quarter. Louisville did score 14 of the last 21 points in the game, but it was too little, too late as the Wildcats routed the Cardinals for the third consecutive meeting by 31 points, 52-21. For the second consecutive game against Louisville, a Kentucky quarterback tied the school record for most rushing touchdowns in a single game with four. This time it was accomplished by junior transfer Will Levis. November 25, 2023: Kentucky – 38 No. 9 Louisville – 31 The Wildcats and the Cardinals en- tered their annual Governor’s Cup rival- ry in 2023 on two totally different paths. Kentucky was just 1-5 in their previous six games heading into the regular season fi- nale, while Louisville was having one of their best seasons in recent memory, riding a 10-1 record entering the contest. As a re- sult of their record, the Cardinals were a Top 10 team, ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll. At stake for Kentucky was a fifth consecu- tive victory against Louisville, which would tie the most by either school in the history of the Governor’s Cup series. It seemed that the Wildcats had an uphill climb to victory when Jawhar Jordan’s one-yard touchdown run with 5:50 left in the third quarter gave Louisville a 10-point lead, 17-7. The very next play, the game completely flipped. On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore Barion Brown took the ball from endzone to end- zone, resulting in a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, to cut Louisville’s lead to just three points, 17-14. It was Brown’s fourth career kickoff return touchdown, setting a new school record. The Cardinals quick- ly scored another touchdown with 2:48 remaining in the third quarter to get their lead back up to 10 points, 24-14. Kentucky came roaring back, scoring 17 unanswered points, capped off by a 21-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Devin Leary to senior running back Ray Davis with 8:37 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Wildcats the lead, 31-24. In the back-and- forth contest, Louisville answered right back, scoring on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jack Plummer to Ahmari Hug- gins-Bruce with 2:33 left in the game, ty- ing the score at 31. It was Kentucky who threw the last punch, moving the ball 75 yards on just four plays, capped off by Da- vis’ 37-yard touchdown run with just 1:02 left in the game to give the Wildcats the lead at 38-31. The Cardinals’ final attempt to score came up short as Plummer threw a desperation pass into the endzone that was intercepted by sophomore defensive back Jordan Lovett, sealing Kentucky’s upset win over Louisville. The fifth consecutive win for the Wildcats over the Cardinals is their most in the Governor’s Cup series. Ken- tucky’s defense was opportunistic all game, forcing Louisville into three turnovers (two fumbles, one interception). Kentucky's defense forced three Louisville turnovers as UK notched its fifth consecutive win over UofL in 2023. @UKSportsNetwork 13Thank You to Our CORNERSTONE PARTNERSNE‘24 BROCK VANDAGRIFFNext >