Why I Think the Gator/Taxslayer is Meant to Be . . . .

[The-Hack]

I frequently find odd hints about the future.

An example: In 2007, after we beat Louisville, and started otherwise pretty hot, a Canadian newspaper/web site did an article on UK Football, and 10 days before we tangled with No. 1 LSU, stated, "Kentucky has already defeated their cross-state rival, Louisiana . . . . "

Hmmmm.

A few days later, we did beat them.

So here goes hints of fate on our bowl: In 1965, Kentucky started pretty good, going 6-2 in their first 8 games. Back then, bowls could offer early, and everyone had individual contract rights for bowl appearances, not controlled by the SEC or NCAA. After starting 6-2, the Gator Bowl offered Kentucky, and Kentucky refused, holding out hope for the Sugar, or a better bowl. We then traveled to Houston, who broke our QB's leg, beat us badly with the "Vere", and we finished like 6-4, with no bowl game.

This season, Louisville goes to Houston, in about the same position Kentucky was in in 1965, gets their arse handed to them, and then we beat Louisville, the week after, dropping them sequentially from the Playoffs, to the Orange, to the "I wonder where we are going" bowl.

I just feel that fate/karma has us slated to finally make that Gator Bowl appearance we could have had, had we accepted, way back in 1965.

If it happens, you might feel a little chill down your spine. That chill is "the Curse" being broken.

 

[John Henry]

Thanks for your comments The-Hack. I was a UK senior in 1965 and remember that season very well. It finished as a heartbreak. That team was very exciting and had some all time great UK talent. Rick Kestner, Rick Norton, Rodger Bird, Sam Ball, Larry Sieple and others deserved more than what the curse brought. I felt good when we turned down the Gator Bowl thinking for sure we would get the Cotton. That all ended when Rick Norton had his leg broken. I hope you are right.

 

[The-Hack]

Well, I was born in '63, but read old media guides and have done the QB Club for a few years. So I have verbally heard the stories.

Sawnee, was this turn down of the Gator Bowl fairly public, then? I've never heard whether it was discussed prior to the end of season meltdown/injuries.

 

[John Henry]

Well, I was born in '63, but read old media guides and have done the QB Club for a few years. So I have verbally heard the stories.

Sawnee, was this turn down of the Gator Bowl fairly public, then? I've never heard whether it was discussed prior to the end of season meltdown/injuries.

It was a long time ago so I am not sure if the Herald or Leader (Lexington had two newspapers) ran an article about it or not. I had a very close friend on that team and he said the team actually voted on not accepting the Gator Bowl. The bid was extended after the Vanderbilt game. If I recall Coach Bradshaw told the team they had a Gator Bowl bid but wanted to hold out for a bigger bowl. (Cotton) The team actually voted to turn the Gator down. Of course then came the Houston game and the season went into the tank with Rick Norton's injury.. With no Norton we did not have a passing quarterback and we were a totally different team. Kestner and Seiple had no one to throw it to them which was a huge part of our offense. Both Rick Kestner and Larry Seiple played in the NFL. Looking back it would have been nice to go to the Gator Bowl but I have also wondered if the bid might have been pulled as we were not the same team anymore. I guess that can never be answered.