Friday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

—A reminder that Lynn Stadium is the site for tonight’s 7 p.m. Elite 8 men’s soccer match between Louisville and Akron. Winner heads to the College Cup. Make it out if you can. You won’t have another chance until August. They have beer.

—A group of fans are petitioning to have the official name of the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry changed from “The Battle for the Governor’s Cup” to the “Bourbon Bowl.”

—We knew it was coming, but Rick Pitino is officially suing U of L for more than $35 million, which makes me sad.

—In related news, the Rick Pitino signs at the Yum Center practice facility have been replaced.

—I didn’t think it would actually happen, but Jimbo Fisher is leaving Florida State after eight seasons to become the new head coach at Texas A&M. I guess our two-game winning streak is going to last a while. Odell Haggins will be the team’s interim coach against Louisiana Monroe, a game the Seminoles need to win in order to keep their bowl streak alive.

—Fisher may have had no other option but to leave after this report of multiple players saying that they would be heading elsewhere if he hung around.

—Willie Taggart, who just re-upped at Oregon yesterday, is rumored to be FSU’s top target.

—No band has ever aged more gracefully.

—Lamar Jackson is one of 11 finalists for the Manning Award.

—Winston Bennett was fired from his Kentucky Labor Cabinet job because he sent sexist emails from his work computer.

—Sports Illustrated’s first non-Luke Winn power rankings (I’m not crying) have Louisville at No. 24.

24. LOUISVILLE (4–1)

Last Week: beat St. Francis (PA), lost to Purdue

Next Week: vs. Seton Hall

The Cardinals got their first test of the season in a tough road environment in West Lafayette, coming up short in the final minutes. It was not a good night for point guard Quentin Snider, who turned the ball over four times and scored just three points on six shots across 39 minutes. The senior has been a bit slow to get going this season and is shooting just 31.6% of the floor, though he’s certainly not the only Cardinal who’s struggling in that area. Freshman Darius Perry has shown some good flashes so far as the backup at point, but in atmospheres like Mackey Arena coach David Padgett is going to want to be able to lean on his senior.

—U of L women’s soccer freshman standout Emina Ekic has been named a first team All-East Region by United Soccer Coaches association. She’s the first Cardinal since 2013 to earn all-region honors.

—If this turns into a The Mist situation then I will align with whatever group showcases strength first. It’s probably going to be Ray Ganong’s tribe.

—The list of the silliest bowl game names of all-time has a new No. 1.

—The Louisville Cardinal ranks Lamar Jackson’s 10 best games as a Cardinal. You can probably guess No. 1.

—Austin Rivers thinks Donovan Mitchell is the best rookie in the NBA.

—Pro Football Focus has Lamar Jackson as the second best draft-eligible quarterback in college football right now. Baker Mayfield is No. 1.

—The NCAA came down on Ole Miss football today in the form of a two-year bowl man and scholarship reductions. All Rebel players are also able to transfer immediately without having to sit out.

The program was not stripped of any wins.

—Shoutout to Terry Meiners. Thirty-three years is a long time.

—I wrote about the Cincinnati-Xavier rivalry, which I think is the third best in college basketball. The Bearcats and Musketeers play tomorrow at noon.

—Yes, Bobby Petrino still gets framed pictures of the scoreboard after Kentucky wins. Yes, I still love it.

—Seton Hall, Louisville’s Sunday opponent, topped No. 22 Texas Tech 89-79 last night at Madison Square Garden. This will be a challenge.

—I wrote this a couple years ago about Seton Hall didn’t make the mistake so many other schools would have by pulling the plug too soon on Kevin Willard. The last couple seasons have only made it more true.

—With Rick Pitino and Tom Jurich both gone, Willard says he no longer has any emotional ties to U of L.

“I no longer have any emotional attachment to Louisville,” Willard said Thursday night after the Pirates’ 89-79 win over Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden. “Coach Pitino isn’t there anymore. Tom Jurich isn’t there. I’m just more concerned with getting our guys ready to play a road game in a great environment.”

Willard recruited David Padgett when he was an assistant and said he has been in contact with the former Cardinals star as he’s made the transition to interim head coach.

“I think he’s doing an amazing job and he’s put a really good staff together,” Willard said of Padgett. “David is very smart. He knows what he’s doing. This is going to be a great test for our guys. I know how difficult it is to play at Louisville, but it’s going to prepare us for the Big East. It’s like going to Creighton. It’s going to prepare us for going to Villanova.”

—I can’t fully explain why, but this made me laugh out loud when I saw it while on air yesterday.

Congrats on that new contract, Dave. Don’t let it keep you away from the unleaded.

—Trinity wide receiver Rondale Moore will likely get his 100th catch of the season in Sunday’s state championship game against St. X. I really wish he was coming to Louisville.

—Don

—Connecticut is bad at basketball again and its fans don’t seem to care ... about anything anymore. This is the AAC life that Louisville was almost forced to live.

—Todd Grantham is officially heading to Florida to be the Gators’ new defensive coordinator.

—Well done, Adam.

—The U of L women’s team made history last night against IU.

—U of L soccer’s Tim Kubel is a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy.

—Utah definitely loves Donovan.

—Louisville-Seton Hall is one of the best games of the weekend ahead in college hoops.

—The 2008-09 U of L women’s basketball team is one of the best in any sport to ever play Nevada in Reno, says the Reno Gazette.

—Tim Sullivan has a sort of bizarre piece detailing the rumors surrounding Jeff Brohm potentially being the heir apparent at Louisville.

Four days before Tom Jurich was formally fired, during halftime of the University of Louisville’s homecoming game against Boston College, a pair of prominent boosters made their way into the athletic director’s suite at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.

One was "Papa" John Schnatter himself. The other was former U of L trustee Malcolm Chancey, the banker who led the fund drive to get the place built.

Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood, who was visiting his alma mater during an NFL bye week, recounted his conversation with Schnatter Thursday night.

"I was making an observation that I didn't feel like some of the newly assembled board members had made the proper investment into U of L that the previous board had," Wood said via text message. "... I said that it's bad that I had donated more based upon a report that I saw posted and they're making major decisions for the university."

A witness who earlier described the Wood-Schnatter exchange says he also heard Chancey promise: “We’re going to clean house and bring (Jeff) Brohm back.”

The story goes to detail the “speculation,” “fiction” and “fact” involving Brohm and Louisville. Eric Wood is the man.

—Cool view of Jaylen’s grab against Virginia.

—There is a toy collection planned for Louisville’s Dec. 11 home game against Bryant.

—And finally, beat Akron. Then Seton Hall.