WILDCATS

Homecoming for Hatcher as Cats face Cards

Kyle Tucker

LEXINGTON, Ky. –

University of Kentucky linebacker Jason Hatcher grew up on the annual Governor's Cup showdown between the Wildcats and rival Louisville, "knowing just how big of a game this is; it could be a season-determiner for both teams." His rooting interest, though, was different back then.

"The other school," said Hatcher, a Louisville native and Trinity High alum, noting that it's funny how things change "in such a short time."

When the former four-star recruit pulled a surprise and signed with Kentucky, his mother, Donna Curry, still had an entire room in her home dedicated to U of L memorabilia. There weren't many Cardinals fans bigger than her. But she has seamlessly switched sides.

"I think she's doing pretty well with it," Hatcher said. "I can't get her out of her UK jersey now. She wears them to church and everything."

Come Saturday, when the Wildcats (5-6) try to clinch a bowl berth at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, his mom will be "ready to go — all UK everything," but that won't necessarily be the case for all his friends and family who'll be in attendance.

Might some of them still be wearing red?

"It's sad to say, but I think so," Hatcher said. "Because I have a big family, and I'm going to be at home. This is still a home game to me, being from Louisville, so I'm going to have a lot of family there, and just not there to see me – to see the game."

But if anyone wants his help getting in the stadium, "there's rules to that," Hatcher said. "They're going to be in UK gear if they get my tickets."

One friend who will definitely be in Louisville colors is former Trinity teammate James Quick, the Cardinals' second-leading receiver. Both are enjoying larger roles as sophomores and Hatcher will be critical Saturday if the Wildcats want to pull the upset.

UK needs the 6-foot-3, 242-pound end/outside linebacker, depending on the formation, to hunker down against the run. The Cats have given up 1,304 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing the last five games — an average of 260.8 yards per game in that span, in which three teams have rumbled for 300-plus.

Louisville's ground game, meanwhile, has heated up in the last four games. The Cards averaged 179.7 yards and rushed for 10 touchdowns in that stretch, erupting for 229 yards in last week's win at Notre Dame. Hatcher, who has started five games this fall, needs to build on his 26 tackles, including 5 ½ for loss.

And if that means hitting Quick — who has 31 catches for 459 yards and three touchdowns this season — so be it. The idea of hammering his old pal?

"I'm definitely OK with that," Hatcher said. "He's in the opposite color jersey."

That's classic rivalry talk, but it isn't limited to players with deep ties to the state. The distaste for Louisville has spread to the out-of-towners, too.

"Since Day 1, I've always had that realization of who Louisville is and how big of a rivalry that is between us," said Florida native and Cats offensive tackle Jordan Swindle.

"This is my fourth year being a part of it. I've just grown fond of the whole process," senior UK receiver and Georgia native Demarco Robinson said. "You know, how the state gets into this game. I just really know how important the Governor's Cup trophy is now."

Second-year Wildcats defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot is from Oklahoma, played his college ball at Wyoming and spent most of his coaching career in Texas and Florida, but he's already well-versed on Kentucky-Louisville.

"One thing that I've learned is this is as big a rivalry as anywhere I've been," Eliot said. "It's something special and it's something that you really look forward to."

Senior defensive tackle Mike Douglas, a Florida native, said it "didn't take really long" to develop disdain for the Cards. This one means plenty to him. But he knows it's just different for Hatcher.

"This is probably a game he really wants to win, because that's his home city," said Douglas, who remembers Louisville native and former Wildcats defensive tackle Mister Cobble always felt that way. "Because he has to go home. When I go home, I'm nowhere near Kentucky, so it's a different feel. But I can definitely imagine that's all they want is to beat Louisville."

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.