Jeff Brohm explains Louisville's emphasis on ending Kentucky win streak in 2023

Jeff Brohm knows the importance of the Louisville–Kentucky rivalry on the football field. New quarterback Jack Plummer echoed those comments.

Brohm returned to his alma mater this year after coaching at Purdue and not only does he want to bring Louisville back to the forefront in the ACC, he has to beat Kentucky in the eyes of fans. The Governor’s Cup is awarded to the winner every year but it’s been tough sledding for the Cardinals, who’ve lost four straight.

Brohm joined ACC Network and explained the emphasis he put on the game at the end of the regular season.

“There’s a lot of emphasis,” Brohm said at ACC Football Kickoff 2023. “I’m not gonna lie. I mean, rivalry games are great for a lot of reasons. But you know, even your fan base and the excitement that that builds, the momentum you get can be drastic. Kentucky’s had our number and it’s important that, you know, we find a way to be competitive and find a way to win the football game.

“We have it at home. And at that time of the year, this season could be going the way you want it or you could hit a couple of roadblocks. You got to be able to adapt.

Brohm made the comparison of Louisville and Kentucky to his Purdue days when the Boilermakers played in-state rival Indiana at the end of the season each year.

“Fortunately, I was at Purdue, we played Indiana the last game every year and we found a way to win most of those games,” Brohm said. “And it’s just always important to do that. It just gives you a great feeling that you’ve accomplished something that’s a goal that everybody has in the preseason and beat your rival football team. And definitely since they’ve had the upper hand recently, this is going to be a great challenge and yes, we put in preparation already.”

Kentucky leads the all-time series 19-15 so the rivalry was very close up until the last four meetings. There was no game in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Wildcats won 56-10, 45-13, 52-21 and 26-13 over the last four meetings. It’s been rough for Louisville.

The last win for Louisville over Kentucky came in 2017, a 44-17 win led by former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson.

Can Brohm deliver the trophy back to Louisville? He might have the team to do it but Kentucky’s been a fast riser in the SEC East lately under Mark Stoops.

Louisville and Kentucky is definitely a game to look forward to, so circle it on your calendars.