Final Record

Kentucky finished the 1996 season with a 4-7 record. The Wildcats were 3-5 in the Southeastern Conference and tied Georgia for fourth place in the SEC Eastern Division.

Kentucky played one of the nation’s most difficult schedules. Through games of Dec. 1, UK’s schedule was listed as the nation’s seventh most difficult in the Seattle Times computer rankings. The USA Today computer rankings of Dec. 11 had Kentucky’s schedule as the 17th most difficult.

Kentucky’s all-time record is now 499-471-44 (.514).

1996 Results (4-7 overall, 3-5 SEC, 4-2 H, 0-5 A)

Aug.  31    Louisville 38, UK 14 (H)Sept.  7    Cincinnati 24, UK 3 (A)Sept. 21    UK 3, Indiana 0 (H)Sept. 28    Florida 65, UK 0 (A)Oct.   5    Alabama 35, UK 7 (A)Oct.  12    South Carolina 25, UK 14 (H)Oct.  19    Louisiana State 41, UK 14 (A)Oct.  26    UK 24, Georgia 17 (H)Nov.   9    UK 24, Mississippi State 21 (H)Nov.  16    UK 25, Vanderbilt 0 (H)Nov.  23    Tennessee 56, UK 10 (A)

Head Coach Bill Curry

Head coach Bill Curry completed his seventh season at Kentucky with a record of 26-52. The university announced on Oct. 21 that Curry would not be retained for the 1997 season.

Curry’s career record of 83-105-4 includes a 31-43-4 mark in seven seasons at Georgia Tech (1980-86) and a 26-10 slate in three years at Alabama (1987-89).

Season Summary

Kentucky opened the season with the third renewal of the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry. The Cardinals blocked two punts and also scored two defensive touchdowns en route to a 38-14 win.

After a loss at Cincinnati, Kentucky returned home to earn its first victory of the year — a 3-0 shutout of Indiana. Brian Johnson kicked the game-winning 23-yard field goal with only 14 seconds remaining in the game.

Kentucky’s offensive problems continued in losses against Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and Louisiana State as a very young offensive line continued to go through growing pains and the team searched for consistency at quarterback, tailback, and wide receiver.

Returning to Lexington for a three-game homestand, the young Wildcat offense began to mature and the team played with great emotion following the announcement that the coaching staff would not be retained for 1997.

The Cat comeback began with a 24-17 Homecoming win over Georgia. Freshman tailback Derick Logan gained 140 yards and two touchdowns on a school-record 41 rushing attempts. Linebacker Mike Schellenberger led the defensive effort and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

The Cats bit another set of Bulldogs the next game with a 24-21 triumph over Mississippi State. Logan rushed for 186 yards and also threw a 55-yard touchdown pass. Quarterback Billy Jack Haskins completed 12-of-21 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns to wide receiver Norman Mason.

Kentucky extended its winning streak to three games with a 25-0 shutout of Vanderbilt. The Wildcats sacked the quarterback seven times, including once for a safety, and limited the Commodores to just 91 offensive yards. Haskins threw for a career-high 217 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. Logan rushed for 132 yards.

Kentucky ended the season with a loss at Tennessee and finished with a final record of 4-7, 3-5 in the SEC.

The Kentucky defense rang up two shutouts in the 1996 season. UK blanked Indiana, 3-0, on Sept. 21 and Vanderbilt, 25-0, in the home finale on Nov. 16. The win over Vanderbilt was Kentucky’s biggest SEC shutout since a 33-0 win over Georgia in 1977.

The last time Kentucky had two shutouts in a season was 1993, when the Wildcats put the doughnut on Kent (35-0) and Mississippi (21-0).

Turnover Ratio Good Again

A major emphasis of the one-back offense is to minimize turnovers and the Wildcats did just that since the one-back set was installed in 1995.

In 1995, the Wildcats turned it over only 16 times — the lowest number in school history. For the season, Kentucky’s turnover ratio was +9, second in the SEC.

In 1996, despite an extremely young offense, Kentucky turned the ball over 20 times and had a ratio of +9. Kentucky’s turnover ratio ranked second in the SEC and 17th in the nation.

Scoring From the 20-and-in

Kentucky: Converted 16 of 22 opportunities for 91 points (11 TDs, five FGs, two missed FGs, one fumble, three lost on downs).

Opponents: Converted 27 of 36 opportunities for 170 points (22 TDs, five FGs, one missed FG, one blocked field goal, two fumbles lost, one interception, three held on downs, one end of game).

Champions Club

The coaching staff instituted a “Champions Club” for the 1996 season in order to honor players who had outstanding performances. Here are the players who were selected:

• Louisville game: TE Isaac Curtis III, CB Van Hiles, FS Kiyo Wilson.
• Cincinnati game: QB Billy Jack Haskins, OG John Schlarman.
• Indiana game: SS Leman Boyd, TE Isaac Curtis III, CB Van Hiles, K Brian Johnson, LB Mike Schellenberger, WR Jaysuma Simms, LB Lamont Smith, DE Kurt Supe, CB Littleton Ward, FS Kiyo Wilson, CB Tony Woods.
• Florida game: CB Van Hiles, WR Jaysuma Simms, DE Chris Ward
• Alabama game: SS Leman Boyd, OG John Schlarman, DE Kurt Supe, DE Chris Ward.
• South Carolina game: SS Leman Boyd, DT Mark Jacobs, LB Mike Schellenberger, DE Kurt Supe, DT Jeff Tanner, DE Chris Ward, CB Littleton Ward, WR Craig Yeast.
• LSU game: OT Kris Comstock, CB Chris Ford, QB Billy J. Haskins, OT Jonas Liening, OG John Schlarman, C Jason Watts, WR Craig Yeast.
• Georgia game: LB Dele Ali, SS Leman Boyd, TE Isaac Curtis III, QB Billy Jack Haskins, CB Van Hiles, DT Mark Jacobs, TB Derick Logan, LB Mike Schellenberger, OG John Schlarman, WR Jaysuma Simms, LB Lamont Smith, DE Kurt Supe, DT Jeff Tanner, DE Chris Ward, CB Littleton Ward, C Jason Watts, and WR Craig Yeast.
• Mississippi State game: SS Leman Boyd, OT Kris Comstock, QB Billy Jack Haskins, CB Van Hiles, TB Derick Logan, WR Norman Mason, LB Mike Schellenberger, OG John Schlarman, DT Jeff Tanner, DE Chris Ward, CB Littleton Ward, C Jason Watts, WR Craig Yeast.
• Vanderbilt game: LB Dele Ali, SS Leman Boyd, TE Isaac Curtis, WR Harold Dennis, QB Billy Jack Haskins, CB Van Hiles, LB Bob Holmberg, TB Derick Logan, WR Norman Mason, LB Mike Schellenberger, LB Jeff Snedegar, DE Kurt Supe, DE Chris Ward, CB Littleton Ward, DE Anthony Watson, FS Kiyo Wilson.
• Total number of times selected: Ali 2, Boyd 6, Comstock 2, Curtis 4, Dennis 1, Ford 1, Haskins 5, Hiles 6, Holmberg 1, Jacobs 2, Johnson 1, Liening 1, Logan 3, Mason 2, Schellenberger 5, Schlarman 5, Simms 3, L. Smith 2, Snedegar 1, Supe 5, Tanner 3, C. Ward 6, L. Ward 5, Watson 1, Watts 3, Wilson 3, Woods 1, Yeast 4.

Hiles, Boyd Among SEC Defensive Leaders

Senior CB Van Hiles led the SEC’s corners in tackles with 64 and led the team in pass breakups (10) and interceptions (three). Hiles joined DE Chris Ward on the Associated Press All-SEC second team.

Senior Leman Boyd led the team in tackles with 97. That figure was tops among the SEC’s strong safeties.

Hiles Sets UK Career Pass Breakup Record

Cornerback Van Hiles had 25 pass breakups in his career and set the newly-created school record for pass breakups.

UK had not established records for pass breakups prior to this season. Pass breakup data is available since 1981. Hiles broke of the record of 21 shared by Gary Willis (1989-91) and Brad Armstead (1989-92). Willis holds the single-season record with 13 in 1990.

UK Single-Season Pass Breakup Leaders1. Gary Willis, 1990    132. David Johnson, 1987  113. Van Hiles, 1996      10UK Career Pass Breakup Leaders1. Van Hiles, 1993-96       252. Brad Armstead, 1989-92   21   Gary Willis, 1989-91     21

Boyd, Wilson are Streakbreakers

Strong safety Leman Boyd and free safety Kiyo Wilson each have broken streaks with interceptions.

In the 1995 season finale against Tennessee, Boyd’s pickoff of Peyton Manning broke Manning’s school-record streak of 132 passes without being intercepted. That’s the sixth-longest string in SEC history.

In the 1996 season against Florida, Wilson’s interception of Danny Wuerffel snapped Wuerffel’s string of 121 consecutive passes without being intercepted. That’s the 10th best mark in league history.

The Sackman Cometh

Senior defensive end Chris Ward set a UK single-season record with 10.5 quarterback sacks this season. He had at least one-half sack in eight consecutive games (Indiana through Vanderbilt) and broke the record of 10 sacks by Dean Wells in 1992. Ward finished second in the SEC in sacks and was named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press.

Ward finished his career with 17 sacks, second on the UK career list behind Oliver Barnett, who had 26 from 1986-89.

UK Single-Season Quarterback Sack Leaders1. Chris Ward, 1996     10.52. Dean Wells, 1992     10UK Career Quarterback Sack Leaders1. Oliver Barnett, 1986-89  262. Dean Wells, 1989-92      17   Chris Ward, 1993-96      17

Johnson, Carter Set Kicking Records

Placekicker Brian Johnson and punter Jimmy Carter wrote their names into the Wildcats record book this season.

Johnson tied the record for extra point percentage in a season by making a perfect 16-of-16 PATs. That feat has been achieved in six other seasons in school history (min. 12 attempts). Johnson’s 16 tries was the second-best perfect season in school history, following Joey Worley’s 19-of-19 effort in 1986.

Carter tied the school record for most punts in a game (13 at Florida) and set new marks for most punts in a season (91), most punting yardage in a game (539 at Florida), and most punting yardage in a season (3,597).

Logan Grabs Freshman Honors

Despite not seeing significant action until the sixth game of the season, freshman tailback Derick Logan was named SEC Freshman of the Year by the Associated Press and the SEC Offensive Freshman of the Year by the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Logan led the team in rushing this year with 700 yards on 190 carries. He also led the team in touchdowns (five) and all-purpose yardage (763). He rushed for 685 of his yards in the last six games, averaging 114.2 yards per game as a starter.

Logan set a school record by carrying the ball 41 times against Georgia, gaining 140 yards and scoring twice. He set a UK freshman rushing record the following week in the win over Mississippi State by rushing for 186 yards. Logan also topped the century mark with 132 yards in the win over Vanderbilt. Logan’s 70-yard run was the longest play surrendered by the Commodore defense this season.

Four Wildcats Named Freshman All-SEC

Four Kentucky players were named to the Freshman All-SEC team as chosen by the Knoxville News-Sentinel, including tailback Derick Logan as the SEC Freshman of the Year.

Four selections is the most the team has had in one year since the News-Sentinel began naming a team in 1986. Kentucky’s previous best was three players in 1991, 1994, and 1995. Louisiana State led the league this year with five players on the team, followed by UK with four.

The Wildcats chosen included offensive lineman David De La Perralle, defensive tackle George Massey, tight end Chad Spencer, and Logan. (For more Logan information and stats, see the note on the previous page.)

The 6-6, 290-pound De La Perralle played in all 11 games and started three games each at left tackle and left guard.

Massey played in all 11 games as a reserve defensive tackle. He totaled 38 tackles this season, including one quarterback sack and two tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble and had a pass breakup.

Spencer played in all 11 games and started nine at tight end. He caught 10 passes for 134 yards. He had two receptions for 58 yards against Louisiana State, including a 52-yard play. He also had a touchdown catch at LSU called back by penalty.

Schellenberger Earns Numerous Awards

Senior linebacker Mike Schellenberger earned several honors this season for both his academic and athletic prowess.

Schellenberger was named to the College Football Association National Scholar-Athlete Team, the GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-District IV Team, National Scholar-Athlete of the Week by Burger King, and to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Schellenberger completed his bachelor’s degree in finance in May, 1996, with a 3.78 grade point average. He began work this fall on a master’s in business administration.

On the field, he finished second on the team in tackles with 77. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after UK’s win over Georgia.

KO Means Kio at UK

Junior wide receiver Kio Sanford returned 15 kickoffs for 240 yards this season. Sanford, who already holds four SEC records for kickoff returns, continued to move up the league’s career lists in that area (see lists below).

SEC Career Kickoff Returns1. Mark Johnson, Vanderbilt        107 returns2. Tony Jackson, Vanderbilt         853. Preston Brown, Vanderbilt        804. Willie Gault, Tennessee          78   Tony James, Mississippi State    786. Kurt Johnson, Kentucky           74   Corey Harris, Vanderbilt         74   Thomas Bailey, Auburn            749. Gene Washington, Georgia         71   Kio Sanford, Kentucky            71

SEC Career Kickoff Return Yardage1. Mark Johnson, Vanderbilt         2,263 yards2. Tony Jackson, Vanderbilt         2,0043. Tony James, Mississippi State    1,8624. Willie Gault, Tennessee          1,8545. Robert Dow, LSU                  1,7806. James Brooks, Auburn             1,7267. Gene Washington, Georgia         1,6378. Corey Harris, Vanderbilt         1,614   Kio Sanford, Kentucky            1,614

UK Ties Record on SEC Academic Honor Roll

A record-tying 19 Kentucky Wildcats earned a place on the 1996 Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Having 19 players on the honor roll tied the conference record set by Florida in 1994. UK’s previous record was 17 during the 1989 season.

Since the honor roll concept was initiated in 1984, Kentucky has led or tied for the league lead for most players on the list in 10 of 13 years.

To qualify for the SEC Academic Honor Roll, a players must have a 3.0 grade point average for either the past year or his career and must be a sophomore or higher in class standing.

UK was led by tailback Raymond McLaurin and linebacker Mike Schellenberger, who made the honor roll for the fourth consecutive year.

The 19 Wildcats who studied their way onto the 1996 honor roll include WR Brent Allen, OG Cliff Bailey, C David Berringer, CB Buddy Berry, DE Ben Bird, P Jimmy Carter, K Bill Coleman, OT Kris Comstock, WR Harold Dennis, LB Bob Holmberg, TB Raymond McLaurin, WR Kio Sanford, LB Mike Schellenberger, OG John Schlarman, WR Tyler Siddens, WR Jaysuma Simms, DE Kurt Supe, LB Miguel Viera, and FS Stephan Walters.

Sixty Players Awarded Letters

A total of 60 players were named lettermen for the 1996 season. The total included 11 four-year lettermen, seven three-year lettermen, 19 two-year lettermen, and 23 one-year lettermen.

The class breakdown featured 14 seniors, 16 juniors, 14 sophomores, five redshirt freshmen, and 11 true freshmen.

Fourteen Seniors Say Farewell

Fourteen seniors completed their participation with Kentucky football this season, including DE Ben Bird, SS Leman Boyd, TE Isaac Curtis III, WR Harold Dennis, CB Van Hiles, OG DeAnthony Honaker, TB Raymond McLaurin, LB Mike Schelleneberger, WR Jaysuma Simms, DE Kurt Supe, DT Jeff Tanner, DE Chris Ward, FS Kiyo Wilson, and FB Michael Woodfork.

Twelve True Freshmen See Action

Kentucky’s outstanding 1996 recruiting class made its presence felt. Twelve true freshmen saw action, including CB Dorion Berry, QB Tim Couch, DT Gordon Crowe, TB Michael Daies, OG David De La Perralle, FB Jimmy Haley, TB Derick Logan, DT George Massey, WR Quentin McCord, OG Omar Smith, TE Chad Spencer, and walk-on CB Joe Clark.

Eight of the freshmen — all on offense — started at least one game. McCord, who started against Louisville, was the first true freshman to start a season opener at UK since RB Damon Hood in 1991. Couch, Daies, De La Perralle, Haley, Logan, Smith, and Spencer also started this season.

Checking the Redshirts

Fifteen scholarship players did not play this season and were redshirted.

Junior: WR Marvin Love.

Sophomore: DT Quincy Bell.

Freshmen: OG Matt Armbrester, OT Lawrence Chamberlain, TB Wendell Childs, C Aaron Daniel, OT Wayne Driggers, CB Michael Gerrell, CB Andre’ Hayslip, QB Ryan Keller, TB/CB Eric Kelly, TE Matt Layow, SS Marlon McCree, DE John Rader, and LB Tony Staten.

In addition, TB Michael Daies, who played against Indiana and Florida, suffered multiple leg injuries during the season and is eligible to apply for a medical redshirt.

Team Captains

Senior cornerback Van Hiles and junior quarterback Billy Jack Haskins served as team captains for the 1996 season.

Checking the Opponents

Here is how Kentucky’s 1996 opponents did this season, including regular season and conference records and bowl game:

Louisville:         5-6, 2-3Cincinnati:         6-5, 2-3Indiana:            3-8, 1-7Florida:           11-1, 8-0, Sugar BowlAlabama:            9-3, 6-2, Outback BowlSouth Carolina:     6-5, 4-4Louisiana State:    9-2, 6-2, Peach BowlGeorgia:            5-6, 3-5Mississippi State:  5-6, 3-5Vanderbilt:         2-9, 0-8Tennessee:          9-2, 7-1, Citrus Bowl

Kentucky’s opponents ended the regular season with a composite record of 70-53 (.569). That record improves to 50-33 (.602) when you subtract the games that Kentucky’s opponents played against each other.