Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 45 Marty Moore

It’s hump day, BBN! But even more importantly, it is officially just 45 days until Kentucky football kicks off the 2022 season at Kroger Field. While there are a few notable Wildcats who wore the No. 45, we picked one that many of you will remember.

No. 45 Marty Moore

The name Marty Moore is probably controversial among those Kentucky fans that remember it. Moore is a native of Phoenix, Arizona but graduated from graduated from Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, KY in 1989.

Once he arrived in Lexington, Moore had quite an impressive career with the Wildcats. After redshirting his freshman year, he played in nine games in the 1990 season and tallied 15 tackles (six of them coming against Florida).

Moore played linebacker in his final years of college ball. He led the SEC in tackles both his sophomore and junior year, earning him the title of UK’s Most Outstanding linebacker for three consecutive years.

It was his senior season that set him apart, though. He was named UK’s Most Valuable Senior, earning first-team All-SEC honors from both the Associated Press and the Coaches. Most famously, he helped lead the Wildcats to the 1993 Peach Bowl against No. 24 Clemson. However, it was what he did at the end of that game that many fans will remember…

The 1993 Peach Bowl

Kentucky was 6-5 heading into the Peach Bowl — their first bowl appearance since the 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl. The score sat at 7-3 in favor of Clemson throughout most of the game. The ‘Cats finally took a 10-7 lead off their first drive of the fourth quarter — a five-yard touchdown pass from Pookie Jones to Mark Chatmon. UK hit a field goal on their next possession, giving them a 13-7 lead with a little over seven minutes to play in the game.

This is where things get touchy. The Tigers made it to the UK 25-yard line after a series of impressive plays. Then, with less than a minute left in the contest, Clemson quarterback Patrick Sapp threw a pass that was intercepted by none other than Kentucky linebacker Marty Moore on the UK 5-yard line.

Rather than falling on the ball and securing a Wildcat victory, Moore headed towards the Clemson end zone. Just seconds later, Clemson running back Rodney Blunt hit Moore on his blind side, knocking the ball loose. Clemson recovered and scored with only 20 seconds remaining in the game. The Tigers went on to win 14-13.

Regardless, Moore is a Kentucky football legend and is considered by many as one of the best defensive players in program history. He ended his career with 470 tackles, good for fourth-best on the UK all-time list.

Moore was selected by the New England Patriots in 1994, but just barely. He was the final pick of the NFL Draft (No. 222), earning him the title of Mr. Irrelevant. However, he defied the odds and earned a spot on the Patriot roster. Even more impressive, he went on to play eight years in the NFL. He was the first Mr. Irrelevant to play in a Super Bowl (XXXI) and win a Super Bowl (XXXVI). Moore is now the assistant defensive coordinator at Lexington Christian Academy.