Intriguing Facts
Although Kentucky is known as a basketball school, the Wildcats have been playing football for more than 120 years. Check out 20 interesting facts about the program. — www.saturdaydownsouth.com
This summary highlights key facts from the 123-year history of Kentucky Wildcats football:
Records and Achievements:
-Kentucky has a winning record (583-579) but a sub-.500 win percentage due to 44 ties.
-The program boasts two SEC championships (1950, 1976) and one unofficial national championship (1950 based on Sagarin Poll).
-Kentucky is a founding member of the SEC and has one player drafted No. 1 overall (Tim Couch, 1999).
Notable Figures:
-Bear Bryant coached Kentucky from 1946-1953, winning an SEC title and Sugar Bowl in 1950.
-Kentucky claims 23 All-Americans, including three unanimous selections (Bob Gain, Babe Parilli, Derek Abney).
-George Blanda, NFL legend, played quarterback for Kentucky from 1946-1948.
-Other notable coaches include Jerry Claiborne and Hall of Famer Dermonti Dawson.
Rivalry and Fan Facts:
-The Kentucky-Louisville rivalry ("Governor's Cup") began in 1912, with Kentucky leading 14-13 overall.
-Mark Higgs and Calvin Bird are the only players with retired numbers for the Wildcats.
This is just a glimpse into the rich history of Kentucky Wildcats football. Check out the rest of the posts in this section for more on the UK Gridiron.
