Louisville is celebrating Kentucky football’s “downfall” way too early
There’s no denying it — 41-14 was embarrassing. That scoreboard should hang on every locker in the Kentucky football facility until it’s avenged in November.
But let’s be honest about what happened: Kentucky had quit. Players, coaches, everyone. Bush Hamdan’s offense never clicked, the line couldn't block a JV squad, receivers couldn't separate, and the defense — normally a point of pride — stopped trusting its assignments. It spiraled, and the result was a 4-8 season that ended with Mark Stoops fighting off a portion of the fanbase and Vince Marrow packing his bags.
So yes, Louisville earned the right to strut after last November. But to act like that game signaled a permanent shift in power? That’s a mistake. Yes they have the flashier head coach in Jeff Brohm, but this was a one year switch.
Kentucky had won five straight in the rivalry before that flop. One ugly loss doesn’t erase half a decade of dominance.
And now, there’s real momentum in Lexington again.
As of today, Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class ranks in the mid-50s — but could jump into the 30s by the end of the July 4th weekend. Why? Because two major targets are set to announce:
– Matt Ponatoski, the Elite 11 quarterback from Cincinnati Moeller, with Kentucky seen as the heavy favorite.
– Elijah Satchell, a three-star EDGE out of New Jersey, choosing between Kentucky, NC State, Stanford, and Northwestern. Kentucky hosted him last and has made him a priority.
Land both, and the class likely leaps Louisville’s, which currently sits at No. 30. That’s before fall camp even starts.
Yes, the transfer of Jarvis Strickland stung. But the headlines? "Louisville football rips Kentucky’s No. 1 commit in crucial rivalry win" a bit much. Yes, Louisville flipped the state’s narrative for a moment. But a one-year dip doesn't mean Kentucky’s program is dead. Quite the opposite — Kentucky is reloading, not rebuilding. And as the 2025 season approaches, there’s no shortage of motivation in Lexington to remind the Cards exactly who ran this state for the last decade.