Will Stein’s brief time leading Kentucky’s football program has already made it clear that he isn’t backing down from any challenge. Securing a top-ten recruiting class by going head-to-head with fellow SEC teams on the recruiting trail speaks volumes about his approach.
But more recently, it’s a short comment from Coach Stein that has Big Blue Nation ready to fire up the grill in mid-May. According to T.J. Walker on X, Stein addressed the Louisville rivalry for what seems to be the first time since being hired in December. For Wildcats fans, it’s music to their ears.
Not only does he have no intention of dropping the in-state series, but Stein also wants to move the annual matchup to the start of the season. Clearly, he’s leading the charge to bring the Governor’s Cup back from the black and red as quickly as possible.
If you’re scared? Well, you know the rest.
Stein Has Deep Ties to the Rivalry
Sharp Kentucky fans will recall that Stein played quarterback at Louisville during his college days. Before he was hired at Kentucky, Cardinals fans often pointed to that fact as proof he would never, under any circumstances, coach at Kroger Field.
To say folks down the road felt a bit betrayed soon after would be an understatement. With Stein now leading Kentucky, this rivalry is bound to carry extra weight against his bitter though they may not admit it alma mater.
Historically, this is a matchup Kentucky has generally fared well in. Even though the all-time series is much closer than on the hardwood, the Wildcats still lead 19–17. Fun fact: Kentucky won the first meeting between the two programs in a 41–0 blowout back in 1912.
Louisville, however, took the most recent game as Kentucky fans know all too well. The final score? 41–0. It’s a poetic twist for both sides, though last year’s loss is sure to fuel the BBN until the Cats get a shot at redemption.
A New Era Dawns in Lexington
Mark Stoops didn’t exactly hurt Kentucky’s standing against their fiercest rival during his time in Lexington, going 6–6 against Louisville. But blue-blooded fans in the Bluegrass will be especially eager for Stein to dominate this series.
Stein, too, seems ready to get a game on the schedule. As long as Louisville and “big dawg” Vince Marrow don’t shy away from the competition, we could see this rivalry reignited at its highest potential in an early-season matchup sooner rather than later.
The Governor’s Cup must be feeling homesick by now. The Cats are back on the hunt for their golden trophy.
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