Remember that time Dane's Dad delivered the knockout punch vs. Louisville?

Saturday will mark the 30th anniversary of Game One. After spending nearly 70 years apart, Kentucky and Louisville renewed their rivalry on the gridiron when Commonwealth Stadium played host to the Governor’s Cup.

Kentucky has the upper hand in the overall series, but Louisville has a 15-14 edge since that first game back in 1994. Each school has a 5-game win streak under their belt. A win on Saturday would give the Cats a record sixth. Kentucky has outscored Louisville 217-88 over the last five contests for an average margin of victory of 25.8 points.

Things looked a lot different for each program when the Governor’s Cup trophy was created. First and foremost, the game was traditionally the season-opener. It was moved to the finale when Louisville joined the ACC in 2014. Louisville was an Independent program that played on the old astroturf carpet at the fairgrounds. Commonwealth Stadium’s end zones were nothing more than bleachers. The bowl would not be filled in until after Bill Curry’s triple-option was run out of town.

There is one thing this Kentucky team has in common with the 1994 team. They each had a Key making game-changing plays.

Dane Key is Kentucky’s leading receiver this fall with 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns. His father, Donte Key, was an absolute wrecking ball in the season-opener. Tied at 14 in the fourth quarter, Key forced a fumble that set up Antonio O’Ferral’s go-ahead touchdown run. On the ensuing possession, Key picked off Marty Lowe to provide the dagger. He was named National Defensive Player of the Week by Sports Illustrated. The victory was the Wildcats’ only win in the 1994 season.

#TBT – Donte' Key sealed the victory in 1994’s inaugural (modern) #GovernorsCup pic.twitter.com/ZAILQZmDhv

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) June 15, 2023

Like that 1994 season, 2024 has not delivered too many high moments, especially at Kroger Field. Kentucky could desperately use one tomorrow afternoon and it would not surprise if a guy named Key made a few clutch plays in the fourth quarter to propel the Cats to victory.

---

With 128 years of service Monticello Bank is proud to say they go wherever Wildcats and their fans go. The GOMBC Mobile App let’s you bank at home, on the road, and if you need to come see us, our convenient branch locations are right around the corner! In fact, we have 21 branches in 14 markets. 

Our “WHERE PEOPLE MATTER” motto means competitive loans, competitive deposit rates and a wide variety of customer focused financial services which makes the numbers side of your life a little easier. 

Find us on the web at MBCBANK.COM

Monticello Bank, Where People Matter. Member FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

Want more coverage of the Cats? Join KSR+

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a busy summer of recruiting for the basketball and football programs, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club.