Prep Football: Cards meet rivals in return to field

Comment by bigcee: Thursday, September 2

go get them fellas,and have a great season...read more...

Work for future uncovers past

Comment by ac1974: Thursday, September 2

Painteddragonfly, I'm sure the church would be most happy to do a restoration, provided you and othe...read more...

Work for future uncovers past

Comment by cat-eyes: Wednesday, September 1

Painted Dragonfly ...I agree also. I'm surprised members of this church have not spoken out....read more...

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A new season offers a fresh start.

That will be be the case this year when Kentucky takes on Louisville in the Governor’s Cup on Sept. 4 at Papa John’s Stadium in Louisville. It will be the debut for Charlie Strong at Louisville and Joker Phillips at Kentucky.

It will mark the beginning of a new era between the two schools, a consistent pattern in the history of the series.

Whether it’s bouncing the basketball on the court or throwing the football from one end of the field to the other, the Kentucky-Louisville get-together ranks near the top of the list when it comes to sports rivalries. Although the yearly basketball outing between the two schools gains more attention nationally than the football contest, it doesn’t take away from the value of the yearly pigskin outing.

The hiring of John Calipari added more fuel to the fire between Kentucky and Louisville last season. Rick Pitino’s arrival at Louisville in 2001 made the series even more intriguing.

The football contest between the two schools traditionally served as the season opener until three years ago when the two programs agreed to move the game further down the line on the schedule when the Wildcats served as the host school. Every other season when the contest is played at Louisville, the contest remains the season opener for both teams. Former Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks requested a change in the series to give both teams a chance to compete in a couple of games before opening the season with a rivalry game. Much debate has speculated on the decision, but the change has proven to be effective for Kentucky.

Since the shift in scheduling between the two foes, the Wildcats have won the past three games, including a dramatic 40-34 victory at Commonwealth Stadium three years ago, resulting in Kentucky’s recent dominance in the series.

Although the initial meeting between Strong and Phillips will be the first of 12 games for both coaches this fall, both coaches want to win and not chalk up a loss in their debut on the sidelines. Strong and Phillips are longtime friends and were assistants together at South Carolina, but the two coaches will put their friendship aside once a year, starting this season.

Leading up to the season-opener, both coaches will judge a quarterback battle in fall camp, while getting used to calling the shots instead of overseeing a solo unit as a coordinator.

The Kentucky-Louisville series has featured many twists and turns and this year will be no different. The faces have changed, but the goal remains the same for both programs. That’s what makes the rivalry fun and second-to-none in the Bluegrass.

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