To the victor, the spoils. Trumpets please, for Charles the Second.

For Louisville’s coach Charlie Strong, not enough (media) tribute, says here, for the miracle on Cooper Drive last week. The scope of his football team’s re-cast from September 9 to 17 was a stroke of motivational genius so obvious, his pal Joker Phillips should apply to attend Charles II’s summer clinic.

The Cardinals, who limped and loped off their field after being embarrassed by Florida International September 9, apparently turned their uniforms in and left town, because the ornery bunch that showed up at Commonwealth Stadium a week later was as stunningly different as Sarah Palin’s bio last month is to her new one this week.

From midway through the first quarter Louisville played Kentucky like a Norman Schwartzkopf left hook. From nowhere to somewhere, they tanked the Wildcats from the left, right, and up the middle too.

One Big Blue Nation zealot behind UofL’s bench seemed to try and warn Joker Phillips early on what was in store, but authorities took away the kid’s (referee) whistle and sent him packing to the parking lot.

Before the clock struck midnight, Charles II’s big ole boys had half dozen sacks and smothered the Wildcats to 105 feet rushing. That’s 35 yards if you’re counting. UofL controlled the offensive front well enough to make Kentucky’s passing attack look desperate, a two minute drill for 45 minutes, than as effective way to create a ground assault.

It was as if Charles II had attended Joker’s practices and coach meetings all week, UofL had answers and solutions all the way to UK’s punt team. Ryan Tydlacka limped off twice.

So, Louisville earned a 24-17 win, the Governor’s Cup, bragging rights, a bye week for all the new bodies in those clean Cardinal uniforms to heal, and tweet ammo for their pals in Lexington.

Kentucky? The Wildcats have a date with No. 15 ranked Florida (3-0) featuring a Randall Cobb do-all of its own, Chris Rainey. More ominous, the Gators lead the nation in defense against the run, allowing, you guessed it, 105 feet per game.

HOT SEAT FOR JOKER?

An analysis last week said winning the Governor’s Cup was more important to Joker Phillips than Charlie Strong. Really. Was like telling America that taxpayers approve of Congress. Or, telling the sports world, Randall Cobb isn’t coming back to Kentucky.

Clear grasp of the obvious.

So, this week, among bumps in the night to be heard across the Bluegrass State these observations …

• UK loss to Louisville is infinitely more than a Governor’s Cup. Joker Phillips’ six-figure job now rides on …

1. How quickly an offensive line can be quilted together to create the 30-40 seconds this quarterback needs to throw.

2. Will the Wildcats play hard or coast then quit against No. 15 Florida, No. 2 LSU and No. 12 South Carolina?

• The onset of October weather, thoughts of ticket prices-versus-product come to mind. How many UK fans at Commonwealth Stadium will dress up as empty seats?

• Will fans come back to Commonwealth Stadium for three-game home stand next month despite the imminent arrival of two words Kentucky football fans dread most – Cal’s Cats?

Tickets are available, Jacksonville State $41 each; $46 for SEC opponents.

• Climbing down from upper reaches of Commonwealth Stadium after the loss to Louisville, a fan asks himself, “Did I really pay that much for this ticket, buy gas to get here, buy a place to park and buy a watered soft drink for mixer, to see this?

• Like the old days, will Lexington call-in radio show hosts appeal to callers, “Please folks, can we talk football here? And, let’s keep it civil, shall we?”

• Louisville’s pass rush? Anybody wonder what UK coaches said while watching Florida game film?

• How will Joker Phillips handle it when a fan asks, “Yo, coach, about Maxwell Smith, is he anything like Will Fidler or Ryan Mossakowski?”

Next …

• Next darling in college football? One touchdown pass in, could be media ga-ga time for UofL’s Teddy Bridgewater. Watch for comparisons to every quarterback from Andrew Luck to Andrew Jackson.

• Sounds of white silk sliding over silk and zipping zippers. That could be Charlie Strong being fitted out in a pope suit. Imagine, a photo shoot for new images on Watterson Expressway billboards: Louisville’s First Cardinal, Monsignor Charles II. For tickets call 502-852-5151.

And …

• In Louisville, no Rick Pitino and Terry Meiners radio taking-your-calls … just yet.

• And, that shuffling sound could be high school football prospects in Jefferson County reviewing scholarship info under a University of Louisville letterhead, then asking Mom, “where do I sign?”.

WORTH REPEATING

An e-mail three days before the Governor’s Cup from longtime Kentucky football fan Mark Boes in Berea.

“My fearful heart sees Louisville winning. UofL will run the ball (effectively). UK’s offense will sputter. Dropped passes, no blocking, no running, etc.”

PARTING SHOT

After a black weekend of bitter losses, this thought for player and coaches at Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State.

“Never walk away from failure. On the contrary, study it carefully and imaginatively for its hidden assets.” – Michael Korda

And so it goes.

Sports In Kentucky appears in community newspapers across Kentucky. You can reach Bob Watkins at Sprtsinky@aol.com