Kentucky Hosts Bragging Rights Reminder at Louisville Kickoff Luncheon

Kentucky blue covered every corner of the first turn at Churchill Downs. From the patrons to the bugler, Steve Buttleman, a ravenous group of Kentucky football fans waited impatiently to hear from their head coach. Before Mark Stoops addressed the crowd, he spoke from the NBC Sports platform that features a picturesque view of the Twin Spires. Further off in the distance over Stoops’ shoulder, a haze dripped over Cardinal Stadium.

Kentucky feels right at home not far from its in-state rival’s home.

Mark Stoops is one that typically prefers to let his actions do the talking for him. He made an exception when speaking to the Louisville Alumni Association, without ever stating his rival university’s namesake. As they keynote address began, Tom Leach laid out the schedule for this upcoming season.

“All these folks are probably most worried about the Governor’s Cup,” said the Voice of the Wildcats. “They really enjoy watching the guys in blue and white lift it up here.”

“I was surprised to see that in Jefferson County,” a quick-witted Stoops retorted.

He brought this with him. For Louisville fans that don’t remember what this is, it’s the Governor’s Cup. It’s the trophy the Governor hands to Stoops annually on Thanksgiving Saturday. pic.twitter.com/bSbTICFXIF

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) August 21, 2023

The Governor’s Cup was proudly put on display near the entrance to the luncheon. Kentucky has won the last four rivalry games, outscoring UofL 179-57 and winning by an average of 30.5 points per game. As Jeff Brohm has rallied his fanbase all offseason, pledging to ensure his team is prepared to even the scales in the Governor’s Cup, Stoops reminded the Big Blue Nation how far the program has come

“I walked in here 11 years ago and we weren’t very good and they were. Day one, I sat here and said, ‘Absolutely, it’s important.’ We’re not going to shy away from that. I said that on day one when we had miles to go. I don’t think they have miles to go. They’ll have a good team and do a good job, but I’ve said it since the first day I walked on campus that it’s important. We both understand that. We respect each other,” said Stoops.

Kentucky currently owns the bragging rights in this rivalry. Not only did the Louisville Alumni Kickoff Luncheon serve as a fundraiser that signals the end of talking season, it’s one more chance for Stoops to relish in his program’s success with some of his most ardent supporters. As fun as it may be to remind UK fans in Jefferson County about all of the big wins over the Cards, the head coach has more pressing matters at hand.

“For me, I got an SEC gauntlet before that,” Stoops said. “Yes, it’s important, but that’s a long way off for me.”

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Jefferson County Products Prepare for Big Seasons at Kentucky

There are 35 players on the Kentucky football roster that are from the Commonwealth, about half of which make-up the walk-on program. The city of Louisville has sent Stoops some playmakers over the years. This fall Kentucky will lean on EDGE J.J. Weaver and TE Izayah Cummings as playmakers on each side of the line of scrimmage.

“The whole state’s important to us, certainly Jefferson County,” said Stoops. “J.J. has been a steady guy for us for years, as you know. I’m looking forward to him having a really big season. He needs to make a big jump, just for him personally. He’s always been a good player for us, but he’s gained weight, he’s worked really hard, he’s had a great camp and I expect him to have a really good season.

“With Izayah, it’s really nice because you saw him two years ago with Liam (Coen) as the offensive coordinator, he really emerged as a playmaker for us and a difference-maker. I’m seeing that again this year. I’ve seen him take a big jump. We have a good tight end room and he’s a big piece of that.”

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