This week in Kentucky football history: Cats head to SC
On Thursdays throughout the 2015 season we will take a trip down memory lane and look back at past great plays, players, and games associated with University of Kentucky football for that given week. So be sure to check back with us on each and every Thursday to relive the moments that make this football program so special.
Sept. 6
• 1980: Kentucky had two 100-yard rushers, Terry Henry (112) and Randy Brooks (109), in their 17-10 victory against the Utah State Aggies.
• 1997: The “Air Raid” was in full effect in just the second game of the Hal Mumme era. UK attempted 62 passes against Mississippi State, what was then the school record, in a 35-27 defeat to the Bulldogs. That was also the last time that the Wildcats have lost their second game of a season.
• 2003: Vincent “Sweet Pea” Burns wreaked havoc in Murray State’s backfield, totaling four tackles for loss, tied for the second most in school history. Kentucky defeated the Racers 37-6 in the only meeting of these intrastate foes.
• 2014: Austin MacGinnis successfully booted a 53-yard field goal, tying what was then the school record for longest made field goal, in a 20-3 win against the Ohio Bobcats.
Sept. 7
• 2002: The Wildcats wore out the Commonwealth Stadium scoreboard against the UTEP Miners, led by two 100-yard rushers, Artose Pinner (116) and Arliss Beach (108). UK scored 77 points (second most in school history), 42 points in the second half (second most in school history), and 28 points in the third quarter (tied for the second most in school history). Kentucky also set Commonwealth Stadium records for most points (77) and largest margin of victory (60 points).
• 2013: Kentucky put on an offensive show against Miami (Ohio), piling up 675 yards of total offense (third most in school history), in a 41-7 victory against the Warhawks. Among the great offensive plays was an 88-yard touchdown pass from Maxwell Smith to Javess Blue, the fourth-longest passing play in school history.
Sept. 8
• 1984: The Wildcats defeated Kent State 42-0 for their first shutout since 1978 and their largest shutout win since 1960.
• 1990: Kentucky quarterbacks Freddie Maggard and Brad Smith threw a combined six interceptions, tied for the most in school history, in a 24-8 loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
• 2007: UK, with a slim one-point lead over Kent State at halftime (14-13), exploded for 42 points in the second half (tied for the second most in school history), to run away from the Golden Flash in a 56-20 victory.
• 2001: Current UK running backs coach Chad Scott had a career-high 119 rushing yards against the Ball State Cardinals in a 28-20 victory for the Wildcats.
• 2012: UK quarterback Maxwell Smith had a career high 354 passing yards and wide receiver Aaron Boyd had a career high 100 receiving yards in a 47-14 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Sept. 9
• 2006: Kentucky running back Rafael Little racked up 148 punt return yards, second most in school history, in the Wildcats’ 41-7 win against the Texas State Bobcats.
Sept. 10
• 1994: Kentucky traveled to Gainesville to take on No. 2 Florida and suffered their worst conference loss in school history, and their worst loss since 1905, with a 73-7 defeat. The Wildcats did however set a then-school record with 204 kickoff return yards.
• 2005: Kentucky’s special teams was on showcase against Idaho State, setting a school record with 287 kickoff return yards, capped off with long returns by Rafael Little (99 yards) and Keenan Burton (93 yards). The Wildcats defeated the Bengals, 41-29.
• 2011: UK running back Josh Clemons rumbled for an 87-yard touchdown run against Central Michigan, the fifth-longest running play in school history and the second-longest running play at Commonwealth Stadium in school history. Kentucky defeated the Chippewas 27-13.
Sept. 11
• 1982: Kentucky lost to Kansas State 23-9 in the first game under new head coach Jerry Claiborne.
• 1993: The Wildcats set a new school record by intercepting seven passes, but it wasn’t enough as they lost in the final seconds to the Florida Gators 24-20. Marcus Jenkins tied a school record with three interceptions.
• 1999: UK quarterback Dusty Bonner had pinpoint accuracy, completing a school record 16 consecutive pass attempts, and the Wildcats set a school record with 28 points scored in the fourth quarter of a 45-14 win over the Connecticut Huskies.
• 2010: Kentucky scored 42 points in the first half (tied for second most in school history) and 28 points in the second quarter (tied for second most in school history) in a convincing 63-28 win over intrastate foe Western Kentucky.
Sept. 12
• 1987: The Wildcats posted an impressive 41-0 shutout win against the Utah State Aggies behind a couple explosive plays. UK running back Mark Higgs had an 85-yard touchdown run, then a school record for longest running play at Commonwealth Stadium, and Dee Smith had a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown.
• 1998: Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch set a then-school record with 13 consecutive completions in a 52-7 victory against intrastate foe Eastern Kentucky.
