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This date has been circled on calendars both in and outside the Commonwealth since the 2015 schedule was released. Always soaked in drama, the battle for the Governor's Cup has somehow become THE game: the event in which three years of struggle, sacrifice and determination may finally pay off with the Cats reaching their first bowl game since 2010.
What a long and winding road this season has been! UK has delivered on some key goals - their first SEC road victory in five years against South Carolina - and missed others as the Cats dropped their 29th straight game to eventual SEC East champion Florida. The fans have witnessed some amazing feats, such as Corey Johnson's Piesman-worthy 77 yard touchdown run, Dorian Baker's crazy one handed catch against Missouri, and that time Boom Williams made us all scream with joy as he ran for a touchdown. (No, the other time.) Fans have also endured infuriating moments such as pretty much the entire EKU game, icing our own kicker, and that trick play by Vandy.
And so it all comes down to this game. For the second straight year, a Kentucky victory over Louisville is all that stands in the way of the Cats getting bowl eligibility. Can this squad, who is saying goodbye today to seventeen seniors, pull together behind Drew Barker and make this a season to remember? Only our boys in blue know the answer.
Until noon eastern, Cat fans - GO BIG BLUE!!!