1996 Kentucky Wildcats football team

Last updated

1996 Kentucky Wildcats football
Kentucky Wildcats logo (1984-2005).png
Conference Southeastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Record4–7 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Elliot Uzelac (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator Rick Smith (1st as DC, 7th overall season)
Home stadium Commonwealth Stadium
Seasons
  1995
1997  
1996 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 1 Florida x$  8 0   12 1  
No. 9 Tennessee  7 1   10 2  
South Carolina  4 4   6 5  
Kentucky  3 5   4 7  
Georgia  3 5   5 6  
Vanderbilt  0 8   2 9  
Western Division
No. 11 Alabama xy  6 2   10 3  
No. 12 LSU x  6 2   10 2  
No. 24 Auburn  4 4   8 4  
Mississippi State  3 5   5 6  
Ole Miss  2 6   5 6  
Arkansas  2 6   4 7  
Championship: Florida 45, Alabama 30
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1996 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Wildcats scored 138 points while allowing 322 points; they opened the season with 1 win and 6 losses, and then after the firing of head coach Bill Curry was announced, the Wildcats won three straight SEC games before losing their final game to finish 47. [1] [2]

Contents

Kentucky opened with a 38–14 loss to Louisville, then lost 24–3 at Cincinnati due to repeated special teams breakdowns. A game in a driving rainstorm against Indiana remained a scoreless tie until the final seconds when a Kentucky field goal led to a 3–0 win. A 65–0 loss at Florida and 35–7 loss at Alabama were followed by Kentucky blowing a second half lead to lose 25–14 to South Carolina. After a 41–14 loss at LSU, Kentucky stood at 1–5 on the season and the firing of head coach Bill Curry was announced. The Wildcats responded by reeling off three victories in a row: 24–17 against Georgia, 24–21 against Mississippi State and 25–0 against Vanderbilt. A 56–10 loss to Tennessee ended the season with the Wildcats at 4–7. [3] [4]

Kentucky's victories over Georgia and Mississippi State kept those two teams out of bowl games, as each finished 5–6 due to their losses to Kentucky. Kentucky's 25–0 shutout of Vanderbilt on November 16 was the team's first shutout since a 21–0 win against #25 Ole Miss on October 2, 1993. [5] [6] Kentucky played four road games against ranked teams in 1996. [7] Kentucky's three game SEC win streak (Georgia, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt) was its first since 1993 (South Carolina, Ole Miss, LSU). [8] [9] This was the first college season for highly touted freshman quarterback Tim Couch, who later went on to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and was the #1 overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft. [10]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 316:30 p.m. Louisville *L 14–3859,384 [11]
September 73:30 p.m.at Cincinnati *L 3–2430,729 [12]
September 217:00 p.m. Indiana *
  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY (rivalry)
W 3–040,500 [13]
September 283:30 p.m.at No. 1 Florida CBS L 0–6585,422 [14]
October 52:00 p.m.at No. 13 Alabama PPV L 7–3570,123 [15]
October 127:00 p.m. South Carolina
  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY
L 14–2550,500 [16]
October 198:00 p.m.at No. 17 LSU PPVL 14–4179,660 [17]
October 267:00 p.m. Georgia
  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY
W 24–1734,000 [18]
November 91:30 p.m. Mississippi State
  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY
W 24–2126,500 [19]
November 1612:30 p.m. Vanderbilt
  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY (rivalry)
JPS W 25–033,000 [20]
November 233:30 p.m.at No. 9 Tennessee CBSL 10–56102,534 [21]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[22] [23] [24]

Roster

1996 Kentucky Wildcats football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB 2 Tim Couch Fr
QB 7 Billy Jack Haskins Jr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DB 17 Van Hiles Jr
DE 47Chris WardSr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Team players in the 1997 NFL Draft

PlayerPositionRoundPickNFL club
Van Hiles Defensive back5141 Chicago Bears
Chris WardDefensive end7205 Baltimore Ravens

[25] [26]

Postseason

Leading rusher Derick Logan, the SEC Freshman Player of the Year, did not return. Head coach Bill Curry was replaced by Hal Mumme. Sometime-starting quarterback Billy Jack Haskins transferred to Rhode Island after Mumme announced that Tim Couch would take the starting spot. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Wildcats</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Kentucky

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Wildcats football</span> Football team of the University of Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats football program represents the University of Kentucky in the sport of American football. The Wildcats compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Wildcats play their home games at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky and are led by head coach Mark Stoops.

The 1976 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. The Wildcats beat four different ranked teams during the season, scoring 209 points while allowing 151 points. Kentucky won the 1976 Peach Bowl and finished the season 8–4 and ranked #19 in the country.

The 1974 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. The Wildcats scored 248 points while allowing 194 points, finishing 6–5 overall and 3–3 in the SEC.

The 1975 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference during the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. The Wildcats scored 132 points while allowing 183 points, finishing 2–8–1 overall, 0–6 in the SEC.

The 1964 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference during the 1964 NCAA University Division football season. The Wildcats scored 150 points while allowing 194 points, finishing 5–5 overall, 3–3 in the SEC.

The 1965 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference during the 1965 NCAA University Division football season. The Wildcats scored 202 points while allowing 160 points, finishing 6–4 overall, 3–3 in the SEC.

The 1984 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Wildcats scored 293 points while allowing 221 points. Kentucky won the 1984 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl.

The 1993 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Wildcats scored 207 points while allowing 195 points. Kentucky played in the 1993 Peach Bowl.

The 1983 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Jerry Claiborne, the Wildcats scored 228 points while allowing 237 points.

The 1989 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky as a Southeastern Conference (SEC) member during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 6–5, with a mark of 2–5 in conference play, and finished tied for seventh in the SEC. The Wildcats scored 212 points and allowed 220 points.

The 1958 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1958 college football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Blanton Collier, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 5–4–1 with a mark of 3–4–1 in conference play, placing tied for sixth in the SEC.

The 1988 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Wildcats scored 217 points while allowing 208 points. This was Jerry Claiborne's seventh season as Kentucky's head coach. The Wildcats finished 5–6, one victory shy of bowl eligibility; the highlight of the season was an upset of #11 ranked Georgia.

The 1979 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by seventh-year head coach Fran Curci, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 5–6, with a mark of 3–3 in conference play, and finished tied for fifth in the SEC.

The 1916 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) during the 1916 college football season. Led by John J. Tigert in his second and final season as head coach, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 4–1–2 with a mark 2–1–2 in SIAA play.

The 1995 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their sixth season under head coach Bill Curry, the Wildcats compiled a 4–7 record, finished in fifth place in the Eastern Division of the SEC, and were outscored by their opponents, 269 to 223. The team played its home games in Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

The 1994 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth season under head coach Bill Curry, the Wildcats compiled a 1–10 record, finished in last place in the Eastern Division of the SEC, and were outscored by their opponents, 405 to 149. The team won its season opener against Louisville (20–14), but then lost the final ten games of the season, including blowout losses to Florida (73–7), Indiana (59–29), Mississippi State (47–7), and Tennessee (52–0). The team played its home games in Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

The 1991 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second season under head coach Bill Curry, the Wildcats compiled a 3–8 record, finished in last place in the SEC, and were outscored by their opponents, 268 to 190. The team played its home games in Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

The 1981 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their ninth and final season under head coach Fran Curci, the Wildcats compiled a 3–8 record, finished in a tie for sixth place in the SEC, and were outscored by their opponents, 224 to 134. The team played its home games in Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

References

  1. "1996 Kentucky Wildcats results". jhowell.net. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  2. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide, p.209
  3. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide, p.209
  4. "1996 Kentucky Wildcats scores". jhowell.ent. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  5. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide, p.209
  6. "1996 Kentucky Wildcats scores". jhowell.ent. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  7. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide, p.168, 209
  8. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide, p.209
  9. "1996 Kentucky Wildcats scores". jhowell.net. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  10. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide
  11. "Red alert, Cardinals expose Cats' weakness in 38–14 victory". The Advocate-Messenger. September 1, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Lifeless Kentucky gets 24–3 burial from Cincinnati". The Courier-Journal. September 8, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Late field goal lifts Kentucky over IU". The Indianapolis Star. September 22, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Florida has reason to crow". The Tennessean. September 29, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  15. "UK no mystery to Riddle as Alabama erupts 35–7". The Courier-Journal. October 6, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Gamecocks rally to beat Cats, 25–14". Messenger-Inquirer. October 13, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Tigers trounce Wildcats 41–14". The Sun Herald. October 20, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Kentucky beats Georgia behind lame-duck coach". The Greenville News. October 27, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Tilghman alumni lead UK to 3rd win". The Paducah Sun. November 10, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Kentucky ends drought against Vanderbilt 25–0". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 17, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Tennessee rolls past Wildcats 56–10". The State Journal. November 24, 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  22. "College Football Reference". jhowell.net. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  23. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide, p.168, 209
  24. 1996 Kentucky football scores Archived 2009-10-06 at the Wayback Machine
  25. "1997 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  26. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide, p.166
  27. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats Football Media Guide