Question No. 2 in our continuing UK-U of L series involves the series history.
Of the 13 games played since the Cats and Cards rekindled the bragging rights battle in 1995, which game has been your favorite?
My three:
- 2007 – Rich Brooks gets his wish as the game is moved off its opening-week slot to the season’s third game. And Brooks also gets the win. Andre Woodson finds Steve Johnson for a 57-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds left to give the Cats a dramatic 40-34 victory.
- 2002 – Guy Morris starts his second and final season as UK coach with a bang as behind a ferocious pass rush, the Cats upset Louisville 22-17 at Papa John’s.
- 2000 – Thunder and lightning game in Louisville, with a long weather delay, an overtime and controversial post-game comments from Hal Mumme in which the coach said the game wasn’t all that important. Of course, Mumme said that after losing 40-34.
If you missed Question No. 1, here it is: Barnhart or Jurich?
Between the atmosphere and the finish, nothing can top last year’s game.
1)2007 is the best, no doubt. So many wonderful subplots: Rich Brooks finally beating UL, Andre Woodson finally beating Brian Brohm, after the game it seems both programs have changed positions where everything is going great for UK while everything has gone horrible for UL.]
2)1998, I’ll never forget sitting in the 95 degree sun frying but enjoying every second of it as we opened Papa John’s with 68 points behind Tim Couch.
3)1997, UK players say they saw Kentucky fans cry tears of joy as they watch their team throw the ball all over the field. After suffering through the Curry years, I don’t doubt those reports as my eyes got kinda misty as well.
4)2002, nobody and I mean NOBODY expected UK to come into Papa Johns and win that game – except the Kentucky players. Ernest Simms will always have a close place in my heart for that wideout screen pass he took the distance and shocked UL. They never recovered IMO.
Last year’s game was awesome and intense but in my opinion, nothing can top the game 2002 game. Dave Ragone was getting some Heisman buzz and the UK defense ended that immediately. I have never in all my years seen somebody dominated the way Ragone was. He would slump to the sidelines and you could tell how exhausted he was.
So where is Question #1?
Good idea, Todd. I just put a link to Question No. 1, for those that missed it, at the bottom of the post.
Last year’s game would have to be my favorite. I was there and I have never seen anything like that in person. I’ve never heard Commonwealth that loud. It still gives me chills to watch (on youtube) Stevie catch that ball and go in for the score. To hear that crowd. Absolutely amazing.
2002 was a great game, but the only remarkable story in that game is how Ragone had Heisman hype. How many times did we sack him? I can’t remember. I just remember him getting pressure all night. That was the last time that I’ve seen UK really stick it to a quarterback.
Last year, hands down. I thought it was the greatest feeling I would ever have…until we beat LSU too! 2002 was nice, but not nearly as nice as last year.
2003-Bobby Petrino beats Rich Brooks 40-24.
2004-Cards blank Cats at Papa John’s 28-0.
2006-Louisville rolls in first half, wins 56-28.
These are called the “take a knee?” games. They contain my favorite play against UK. They’ve run it few times.
Ah, but in the 40-24 game in 2003, Louisville didn’t take a knee. The Cards called time out and scored one more.
Last year definitely because going in i felt like we actually had a shot. I call this the VJ Day victory people partied in the street guys kissed random girls like that famous times square photo
Last year was what i called the VJ Day game it was like that pic from the end of WWII when that guy kissed that random chick in times square You partied in the streets with random people and guys made out with random chicks it was pure spur of the moment jubilation