Kentucky Football Countdown: 81 days till Kickoff

KSR is counting down the days until football returns to Kroger Field. The Wildcats are back on campus, preparing for the upcoming season. Only 81 days until Kentucky football resumes, let’s dive into the significance of the No. 81 to the Kentucky football program over the years.

1881: Kentucky Brings Football to the SEC

The Wildcats first hit the gridiron in 1881. The University of Kentucky was the first member of the Southeastern Conference to introduce football. You’re welcome, SEC.

The sport looked a lot different almost 150 years ago. Known then as Kentucky State College (or A&M College), they defeated Kentucky University (now Transylvania) 7 1/4 to 1 in the first ever UK football game. No, I have no idea how they scored 1/4 points. Kentucky went 1-2 in 1881, but football would not return for another nine seasons.

More than 30 years later in 1914, Kentucky defeated Earlham College 81-3. It was the worst day in the history small Indiana liberal arts college’s football program … until Nick Roush turned down the Quakers in 2009.

1981: The Start a New Era in Kentucky Football

In December of 1981 College Football Hall of Famer Jerry Claiborne was hired as the Wildcats’ head coach. Tasked to clean up the probation-plagued program, Claiborne turned things around quickly. He was named SEC Coach of the Year after his second season and led his alma mater to consecutive appearances in the Hall of Fame Game (83-84), a bowl that was later moved to Tampa as the Outback Bowl.

An Historic 81-Yard Scoring Drive

Wilbur Jamerson dove into the end zone from the 1-yard line to cap off an 81-yard scoring drive, giving Kentucky a 13-0 lead in the 1951 Sugar Bowl. The lead proved to be insurmountable for the Sooners thanks to an outstanding defensive effort from Outland Trophy winner Bob Gain and Sugar Bowl MVP Walt Yowarsky. Arguably the biggest win in program history, the 13-6 victory over the defending National Champs snapped Oklahoma’s historic 31-game win streak.

No. 81 in 2022: Cole Lanter

The jersey formerly worn by Isaiah Epps now belongs to Cole Lanter. A preferred walk-on wide receiver from Danville, last season he caught 78 passes for 1,288 yards and 21 touchdowns for Boyle County, the 4A Kentucky State Champions. He enrolled early and made the most of his spring semester. Lanter caught a touchdown pass in the Blue-White Spring Game. He celebrated in style, back-flipping in the Kroger Field end zone.