(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Battle of the Bluegrass turned out to be a pretty good battle after all. I think it was a great representation of this game on its rivalry weekend debut and the state of Kentucky showed the college football world that we are more than just a basketball crazy state. Although after the game today UK fans can turn their attention to the hardwood. They won’t be going bowling unless they rent a lane.
For the fourth straight year our Cardinals win the Governor’s Cup and end UK’s season beating them 44-40. This win closes the gap in the overall series 14-13 and extends the Cardinals modern-day lead to 13-8 since 1994. Coach Bobby Petrino is now 50-12 all-time at Louisville, 10-0 on Senior Day, and 5-0 against Kentucky as the Cardinals head man.
There could have been many story lines today and these games have had some great ones. My favorite was the game in 2011 when a true freshman named Teddy Bridgewater was thrust into the game in the hostile Commonwealth stadium to replace the injured Will Stein. Teddy led the Cardinals to a victory that evening ending what was then a UK winning streak. On that day then head coach Charlie Strong exclaimed that they would never lose to UK again.
Fast forward 4 years and those same players had their senior day ceremonies this afternoon. That proclamation made by coach Strong rang true for them and they never lost to Kentucky. And how they would win the last game was reminiscent of how they won the first one. This time it was a third string quarterback who grew up playing in the University of Kentucky’s back yard that would save the day and the streak. Kyle Bolin a red shirt freshman became the third Louisville QB this season to have his moment. He was called on after Reggie went down with a leg injury at the 11 minute mark of the second half. Down 13-0 it took Bolin just two plays to get the Cards in the end-zone for the first time and he never looked back. Playing with the confidence of a veteran starter and great moxie Bolin would complete 21 of 31 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns.
The game where Teddy came in and ended the UK streak was my favorite in the series. But after watching Kyle Bolin take a drive that started on his own 4-yard line and lead the Cardinals 96 yards down the field for a touchdown and gutting it out to keep the streak alive I have a new favorite. It was a performance that a lot folks in this state will never forget. I know I won’t.
Another guy that deserves a lot of credit is DeVante Parker. One of the best if not the best wide receiver in the history of Louisville football has had his fair share of big moments in this game over the years. Today just might have been his best ever as he was the MVP with 180 yards and 3 touchdowns. This kid has made a huge contribution to this team and this program over the years. He stayed home and laid it all on the line for his hometown. You couldn’t have scripted a better ending.
Our defense didn’t have their best effort today. They did have some great stops in the red zone when their backs were against the wall. Might have been a different outcome had they not forced those early field goals. For all of the excitement I felt for the offensive performances it was incredible watching Gerod Holliman have the walk-off interception to tie the NCAA record and ice the game. The UK fan sitting in front of me got to here “he just tied the record on Ya” as he stormed away in disgust.
This one really did have it all today. The brawl between the players and coaches during warm-ups carried over into a game that was full of hard-hitting and competition. It was great to be there and to take it all in, and it was great to walk away on the winning side of things. It has been a great football season. I’d like to thank all of the coaches and players for all of their hard work and sacrifice. To go 9-3 in a new conference, after losing several star players including the starting QB. And under the guidance of a new coach is pretty solid. Can’t wait to see what Bowl game we get to go watch. Go Cards!