The rivalry between the Kentucky Wildcats representing the University of Kentucky and the Louisville Cardinals representing the University of Louisville is known as the Kentucky vs Louisville Football Rivalry. The winner of the annual rivalry between the two teams is awarded a trophy named The Governor's Cup.
Kentucky vs Louisville Football Rivalry History
The Kentucky-Louisville football rivalry began in 1912 but was suspended after 1924. The rivalry resumed in 1994, after 70 years with the presentation of the Governor's Cup trophy which has been awarded annually ever since. In 2007, the game moved to the third game of the season in Lexington while remaining the opener in Louisville. However, it was played at the opening weekend from 1994 to 2006.
In 2014, Louisville's first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Governor's Cup turned into the final game of the regular season for both teams. The rivalry is scheduled to continue through 2030, where Kentucky will host in the even years and Louisville in the odd years. The 2020 game was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Kentucky vs Louisville Football Rivalry Head-to-Head Stats
Kentucky and Louisville have faced each other 35 times, as of November 2024. Kentucky leads the rivalry with a score of 20–15 in the all-time series and also won the inaugural game by 41-0. Kentucky had the largest victory of 73-0 in 1922 and the longest winning streak of 7 matches from 1912 to 1994. Kentucky won two consecutive seasons from 2022 - 2024, giving them a two-year winning streak over their opponents.
However, after the modern era started in the competition, Louisville led with a score of 15–13. Some of the important games in the rivalry happened first in 2000, then in 2016 and 2023. The only overtime game in the rivalry history was played in 2000 and Kentucky won in 2016 and 2023.
| Total Matches | 35 |
| Kentucky Won | 19 |
| Louisville Won | 15 |
| Vacated Winner | 1 |
Kentucky vs Louisville Football Rivalry Winner Year by Year
| Match No. | Date | Location | Winner | Score |
| 1 | October 26, 1912 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 41-0 |
| 2 | November 22, 1913 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 20-0 |
| 3 | November 14, 1914 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 42-0 |
| 4 | November 6, 1915 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 15-0 |
| 5 | October 14, 1922 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 73-0 |
| 6 | October 4, 1924 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 29-0 |
| 7 | September 3, 1994 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 20-14 |
| 8 | September 2, 1995 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 13-10 |
| 9 | August 31, 1996 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 38-14 |
| 10 | August 30, 1997 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 38-24 |
| 11 | September 5, 1998 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 38-34 |
| 12 | September 4, 1999 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 56-28 |
| 13 | September 2, 2000 | Louisville, KY | Louisville | 40-34 |
| 14 | September 1, 2001 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 36-10 |
| 15 | September 1, 2002 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 22-17 |
| 16 | August 31, 2003 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 40-24 |
| 17 | September 5, 2004 | Louisville, KY | Louisville | 28-0 |
| 18 | September 4, 2005 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 31-24 |
| 19 | September 3, 2006 | Louisville, KY | Louisville | 59-28 |
| 20 | September 15, 2007 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 40-34 |
| 21 | August 31, 2008 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 27-2 |
| 22 | September 19, 2009 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 31-27 |
| 23 | September 4, 2010 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 23-16 |
| 24 | September 17, 2011 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 24-17 |
| 25 | September 2, 2012 | Louisville, KY | Louisville | 32-14 |
| 26 | September 14, 2013 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 27-13 |
| 27 | November 29, 2014 | Louisville, KY | Louisville | 44-40 |
| 28 | November 28, 2015 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 38-24 |
| 29 | November 26, 2016 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 41-38 |
| 30 | November 25, 2017 | Lexington, KY | Louisville | 44-17 |
| 31 | November 24, 2018 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 56-10 |
| 32 | November 30, 2019 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 45-13 |
| 33 | November 27, 2021 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 52-21 |
| 34 | November 26, 2022 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 26-13 |
| 35 | November 25, 2023 | Louisville, KY | Kentucky | 38-31 |
FAQs on Kentucky vs Louisville Football Rivalry
A. Kentucky-Louisville football rivalry is called the Governor's Cup.
A. Kentucky has beaten Louisville 7 times in a row (1912-1994).
A. Kentucky is the Louisville Cardinals' biggest rival.
A. Kentucky fans are called the BigBlue Nation.
A. Kentucky is leading in the Governor's Cup 20-15.
