I sure hope alot of you make the Kentucky vs. Miss. State football game. It's the 40th year reunion of being co-champions of the Southeastern confernce and winning the Peach Bowl over North Carolina. Go Cats!
SEC championship reunion
- Thread starter 1977 Cat
- Start date
Thank you. I hope the future is even brighter.
That is the first season I can clearly remember going to games. I was a little guy, playing my first year of youth football. Probably explains my resilience as a UK football fan.
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I was born in 1968, so my first real memories are of the 1976 Peach Bowl team and the 10-1 1977 team. I didn't understand much of UK's history yet. 1977 Cat, you spoiled me into thinking that your teams were the norm!! That defense was vicious.
I'll be there. Would love to see Ramsey come out in a tear away jersey. Or better yet, just run down the sideline in his shoulder pads!
I'll be there. Would love to see Ramsey come out in a tear away jersey. Or better yet, just run down the sideline in his shoulder pads!
1977 Cat, hasn't Dallas Owens and Mike Siganos from that team passed? Are there others? Don't mean to be morbid, just think it would be good if UK fans could honor their memory. TIA.
Just like many of the above posters, this team was the first I can remember as a child. This team, along with the 77 team, created the hope I have for UK Football to this day. I loved that group of players!! They refused to accept the status quo for UK Football!!
Hopefully they can bring inspiration to this team and beyond!! I will definitely be there to show my appreciation for that team!!
Hopefully they can bring inspiration to this team and beyond!! I will definitely be there to show my appreciation for that team!!
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Yes mrschwump, Dallas and Mike passed away a couple years ago. I did a podcast at oscarcombs.com and specifically mentioned them. Check it out. Thx for asking.
Great memories of those teams - cemented my love for UK Football. Pass on our regards and appreciation to Coach Curci and the team.
Took my parents, it was the first time that they had ever been to a football game was in '77. They were hooked and was always ready to come back. Those were the great times in UK football.
I'm grateful that we take time to honor our heros from the past. You and your mates should never be forgotten for what you contributed to our program's history, and you should inspire our current coaches and players as you represent what was once great about Kentucky Football and what CAN be great again.
Kudos to ya'll :raised_hands:
Kudos to ya'll :raised_hands:
The 1977 team is my favorite of all time and I remember "The Kentucky Babe" and our great 50's teams. Being in Gainesville at The Swamp and seeing them whip the Gators was as sweet as. It gets. Thank you 1977 Cats and thank you Fran Curci for the excitement and memories you brought us. Let's do it again
That Peach Bowl has to be the coldest day in Georgia history. No Dome in Atlanta in those days Sure was fun and a lot of bourbon anti freeze was consumed by UK fans
I am overwhelmed by all of your positive responses. That will be repeated to those teammates of that support!
I went to every game home and away during the Fran Curci era. Fran and I went to the same middle school, Sts Peter and Paul, in Miami though he was older than me but was in the same class with my sister. I have never seen a UK team that was as talented as the 77 Cats. On back to back weeks, I witness road wins at LSU, 33-13 and Georgia, 33-0. Also road wins over Penn State, 24-20 and Florida, 14-7. The only setback was a 21-7 loss at Baylor, when the Bears blocked two punts during the 2nd week of the season.
Count me as another where that team was my first memories of Kentucky football. I think I could still name most of the starting lineup. My kids are so tired of hearing me talk about that team like they were super heroes!! So sad though to hear of Mike and Dallas having passed away. God Bless them.
Wow, check out that non-conference schedule that year. Penn State, West Virginia, Oregon State, Kansas, and Maryland.
Also, I checked the schedules. Georgia should have been SEC Champs in 76 with only one conference loss. There were a bunch of teams tied for second with 2 conference losses.
Oregon State (2-10) W 38 13
9/18 @ Kansas (6-5) L 16 37
9/25 vs. West Virginia (5-6) W 14 10
10/2 vs. Penn State (7-5) W 22 6
10/9 vs. *Mississippi State (9-2) L 7 14 @ Jackson, MS
10/16 vs. *Louisiana State (6-4-1) W 21 7
10/23 vs. *Georgia (10-2) L 7 31
10/30 @ Maryland (11-1) L 14 24
11/6 vs. *Vanderbilt (2-9) W 14 0
11/13 vs. *Florida (8-4) W 28 9
11/20 @ *Tennessee (6-5) W 7 0
12/31 vs. North Carolina (9-3) W 21 0 @ Atlanta, GA Peach Bowl
8-4-0
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Also, I checked the schedules. Georgia should have been SEC Champs in 76 with only one conference loss. There were a bunch of teams tied for second with 2 conference losses.
Oregon State (2-10) W 38 13
9/18 @ Kansas (6-5) L 16 37
9/25 vs. West Virginia (5-6) W 14 10
10/2 vs. Penn State (7-5) W 22 6
10/9 vs. *Mississippi State (9-2) L 7 14 @ Jackson, MS
10/16 vs. *Louisiana State (6-4-1) W 21 7
10/23 vs. *Georgia (10-2) L 7 31
10/30 @ Maryland (11-1) L 14 24
11/6 vs. *Vanderbilt (2-9) W 14 0
11/13 vs. *Florida (8-4) W 28 9
11/20 @ *Tennessee (6-5) W 7 0
12/31 vs. North Carolina (9-3) W 21 0 @ Atlanta, GA Peach Bowl
8-4-0
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Congratulations Joe! I made it to homecoming and will not be able to be at the game this weekend. I will be watching on UK and remembering your great season and being a part of it! I remember how cold it was in Atlanta at the Peach Bowl as UK was in the shade - but it was great after the game. My best bowl game trip ever!
Go Big Blue!
40 yrs , really? Good grief I'm getting old:football::football::scream::joy::joy::sunglasses:...very good team
Following is a post I made a few months ago:
Younger fans probably don't know how powerful our 1977 team was.
Undefeated in the SEC.
Won at #4 Penn State.
Beat #14 LSU at Baton Rouge 33-13.
The next week we won at Georgia 33-0 with Prince Charles in the stands.
We had arguably the best offensive lineman (Warren Bryant selected #6 overall in NFL draft) and defensive lineman (Art Still, #2 overall in the draft) in the nation.
We ran the veer offense. QB Derrick Ramsey was so good running the option, that opposing defenses knew what we would run, yet couldn't stop it.
Penn State's QB Chuck Fusina finished 2nd in the 1978 Heisman voting. His record as starting quarterback was 29-3 -- two of those losses to Kentucky.
Younger fans probably don't know how powerful our 1977 team was.
Undefeated in the SEC.
Won at #4 Penn State.
Beat #14 LSU at Baton Rouge 33-13.
The next week we won at Georgia 33-0 with Prince Charles in the stands.
We had arguably the best offensive lineman (Warren Bryant selected #6 overall in NFL draft) and defensive lineman (Art Still, #2 overall in the draft) in the nation.
We ran the veer offense. QB Derrick Ramsey was so good running the option, that opposing defenses knew what we would run, yet couldn't stop it.
Penn State's QB Chuck Fusina finished 2nd in the 1978 Heisman voting. His record as starting quarterback was 29-3 -- two of those losses to Kentucky.
I love that announcer's line:
"Penn State (#4 at home) has yet to pick up a first down!"
...and later...
"...and Kentucky has intercepted Fusina for the third time today!"
"Penn State (#4 at home) has yet to pick up a first down!"
...and later...
"...and Kentucky has intercepted Fusina for the third time today!"
Thanks for the videos mktmaker. Watching that defense gives me goose bumps. Our Cats were big, fast and powerful. Penn State was an elite team in that era and to beat them meant something. Not only was UK great but those uniforms made it an even prettier sight. The Big Block K was classic Kentucky. It was bold and stood out on the top row of Commonwealth.
With those team once we had a touchdown lead or more you felt confident the defense would hold and often the defense would increase the lead by making a spectacular play that lead to a turnover. I am so thankful the Peach Bowl team is being honored. Well deserved and they gave us thrills beyond compare.
With those team once we had a touchdown lead or more you felt confident the defense would hold and often the defense would increase the lead by making a spectacular play that lead to a turnover. I am so thankful the Peach Bowl team is being honored. Well deserved and they gave us thrills beyond compare.
I found another entertaining video chronicling the 1977 Cats through newspaper clippings, by someone named Jeff Bailey.
Most of our fans don't know of a time when Kentucky football was a bunch of badasses and kicked butt all over the conference.
Following is the documentation:
"No Cupcakes!"
Most of our fans don't know of a time when Kentucky football was a bunch of badasses and kicked butt all over the conference.
Following is the documentation:
"No Cupcakes!"
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That was the coldest football game I ever attended. (Fulton County Stadium)
Many years later I moved to Atlanta. I was told that the Peach Bowl (always played then on New Year's eve day) had a tradition of bad weather.
What made the Peach Bowl even better was that the night before (December 30) our basketball team crushed Digger's #2 Notre Dame team at Freedom Hall.
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Games/19761230NotreDame.html
So...it was a great New Year's Eve in Atlanta. I'm sure many of you were partying at the Marriott.
(Thanks for indulging me.)
I like these quotes:
"Kentucky's style of play is the kind you expect from the Oklahoma's, Ohio State's, Alabama's, Notre Dame's."
"Like Georgia coach Vince Dooley, who calls Kentucky 'a great team.' Dooley says he has played some tough teams before, but none like Kentucky.
'Pittsburgh handled us pretty well in the Sugar Bowl last year, but not like Kentucky here today,' Dooley moaned."
I like these quotes:
"Kentucky's style of play is the kind you expect from the Oklahoma's, Ohio State's, Alabama's, Notre Dame's."
"Like Georgia coach Vince Dooley, who calls Kentucky 'a great team.' Dooley says he has played some tough teams before, but none like Kentucky.
'Pittsburgh handled us pretty well in the Sugar Bowl last year, but not like Kentucky here today,' Dooley moaned."
It would be great if UK came out in these 77 uniforms. That bowl game was cold. I admired that little MLB we had. Was quite a player and if memory serves was a MVP in that bowl. Have to say Curcibwas a great coach. A shame it got away from him. The right hire and my favorite coach.
Think your referring to Mike Martin. He was the defensive MVP of the bowl. Rod Stewart was the offensive MVP.
I had listened to the game and Cawood's call and was setting in a bar in Madison Ind when the game came on delayed.the smart *** next to me says i bet Kentucky gets killed today............I gave him 20 points for 20.00.I couldn't keep a straight face after the game but he did buy a few beers for as he says being stupid.(IU)fan.
Speaking of the uniform I also love the helmet stickers. Some players had so many at the end of the season there was little room left
Wish you would stop by. I'll be tailgating in the red lot close to the grass. Look for the good looking brunette with the old guy( hint: I'll be the old guy ). I'll be in a white Toyota Land Cruser and would love for Cat fans on this board to stop in. BTW, we had a great night tonight at the first get together for the weekend at Prodigy Winery just outside of Frankfort (actually in Woodford County ). Great time with Coach Fran Curci and President Lee Todd and all the guys I played with at UK. Lets get a win like we did in 1977 and set the stage for a great year this year and next also. Go Cats!