Kentucky Football Countdown: 49 Days till Kickoff

Ladies and gentlemen, we are only six weeks away from college football’s week zero. That means in 49 days it will officially be Football time in the Bluegrass. Let’s discuss the significance of the No. 49 to the Kentucky football program.

The Wildcats opened the 2021 season with an overall record of 629-632-44 (.499). After Stoops’ second 10-win season, Kentucky will begin its 2022 campaign with a .501 winning percentage, the first time the Cats have opened a season with a winning record in decades.

Benny Snell rushed for 1,449 yards in his record-breaking 2018 campaign that set the new UK all-time rushing record. It’s the third-most rushing yards ever record in a single season by a Kentucky running.

Tim Couch passed for 490+ yards three times during his All-American 1998 season. He tallied 492 vs. Vanderbilt, 498 vs. Louisville and 499 against Arkansas.

Track star Derrick Locke sprinted to 4973 all-purpose yards from 2007-10, the third-most ever by a Kentucky Wildcat.

Mark Stoops’ 2022 coaching staff has two assistants that worked for Mike Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers last fall. Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello was the quarterbacks coach, while Zach Yenser was promoted from assistant offensive line coach to the leader of the Big Blue Wall. Yenser has already helped secure three commitments in short his time at UK.

Historic 1949 Kentucky Football Season

Kentucky football first began playing night games at Stoll Field in 1949. The University of Kentucky moved games to evenings in October to accommodate the Keeneland racing schedule, a tradition that continues today.

College Football Hall of Famer Jerry Claiborne set the single-season interceptions record in 1949 by picking off nine passes, a record that still stands 73 years later. With the help of All-American Bob Gain and quarterback Babe Parilli, Bear Bryant’s squad finished the season 9-3, falling to UC-Santa Clara 21-13 in the Orange Bowl. Kentucky finished the season ranked No. 11 in the AP Poll. There have only been two higher finishes in school history (1950 #7, 1977 #6). The 2018 Kentucky football team also finished ranked No. 11.