Celebrate 50 Years of Kroger Field with the All-Commonwealth Stadium Team

The stadium we now call Kroger Field first opened its gates to Kentucky football fans as Commonwealth Stadium back in 1973. The replacement for Stoll Field/McLean Stadium did not have end zones, electronic video boards or a limestone facade for that first game back on Sept. 15, 1973. It did not have an empty seat in the stands either. 57,800 watched Kentucky quarterback Ernie Lewis run for two touchdowns and throw for another to propel the Wildcats to a 31-26 victory over Virginia Tech.

Over the last 50 years Kentucky has compiled a record of 182-141-4 (.563). Mark Stoops is 46-25 (.648) in Lexington.

Before the Cats kickoff a seven-game home schedule in 2023, UK Football statistician Corey Price polled members of the media to honor the best of the best that have played at the home of Kentucky football. Picking the best players from over the last 50 years is no simple task. See where your favorite Wildcats fall in the All-Commonwealth Stadium Team.

First Team

Head Coach: Mark Stoops

Offense

QB Tim Couch
RB Benny Snell, Jr.
RB Sonny Collins
WR Craig Yeast
WR Randall Cobb
TE Jacob Tamme
OG Dermontti Dawson
OG Larry Warford
OT Darian Kinnard
OT Warren Bryant
C Drake Jackson

Defense

DL Art Still
DL Oliver Barnett
DL Dennis Johnson
DL Josh Paschal
LB Josh Allen
LB Wesley Woodyard
LB Bud Dupree
DB Mike Edwards
DB Trevard Lindley
DB Darryl Bishop
DB Melvin Johnson

Specialists

K Austin MacGinnis
P Max Duffy
KR Derek Abney
PR Derek Abney

Second Team

Head Coach: Rich Brooks

Offense

QB Andre’ Woodson
RB Moe Williams
RB Chris Rodriguez, Jr.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson
WR Keenan Burton
TE James Whalen
OG John Schlarman
OG Logan Stenberg
OT Landon Young
OT Antonio Hall
C Luke Fortner

Defense

DL Za’Darius Smith
DL Corey Peters
DL Dewayne Robertson
DL Jeremy Jarmon
LB Danny Trevathan
LB Jim Kovach
LB Chris Chenault
DB Winston Guy
DB Marcus McClinton
DB Lonnie Johnson, Jr.
DB Paul Calhoun

Specialists

K Doug Pelfrey
P Tim Masthay
KR Craig Yeast
PR Lynn Bowden, Jr.

Got thoughts? Take advantage of our KICKOFF SALE and subscribe to KSR+ to continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR+ Message Board. $1 for 1 month for new subscribers, or 50% off for an entire year.

Third Team

Head Coach: Fran Curci

Offense

QB Jared Lorenzen
RB Mark Higgs
RB George Adams
WR Lynn Bowden, Jr.
WR Derek Abney
TE C.J. Conrad
OG Bunchy Stallings
OG Todd Perry
OT Mike Pfeifer
OT Kris Comstock
C Jon Toth

Defense

DL Jerry Blanton
DL Myron Pryor
DL Dean Wells
DL Vincent “Sweet Pea” Burns
LB Marty Moore
LB Avery Williamson
LB Frank LeMaster
DB Van Hiles
DB Dallas Owens
DB Eric Kelly
DB Larry Carter

Specialists

K Joey Worley
P Glenn Pakulak
KR Lynn Bowden, Jr./Derrick Locke
PR Randall Cobb

Misses on the All-Commonwealth Stadium Team

Many of the selections to the All-Commonwealth Stadium are no-brainers. It’s hard to argue against anyone on the first team offense. Edge players in modern 3-4 defenses complicate who is considered a LB (because neither Bud Dupree or Josh Allen are off-ball players).

The success under Mark Stoops validates some selections, but there’s still plenty of recency bias. No offense to Za’Darius Smith, he’s a great pro and a lot of fun during his time at Kentucky, but people forget he only played football for 2-3 years before arriving in Lexington. He’s nowhere to be found in the UK record books in tackles for loss or sacks. Josh Paschal had more TFLs in 2021 (15.5) than Za’Darius had in two seasons (14).

Lonnie Johnson was a high draft pick, but Kelvin Joseph was more productive in one season at Kentucky. Derrick Baity would be a much better selection than either, a four-year starter who ranks third in school history in career pass break-ups.

These lists will never be perfect, but Corey Price deserves two thumbs up for accumulating these teams, giving the BBN time to reflect and respect those who made our Saturdays special over the last 50 years in Lexington.