1946 Kentucky Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1946 Kentucky Wildcats football Southeastern Conference SEC 7–3 2–3 Bear Bryant 1st Phil Cutchin McLean Stadium The 1946 Kentucky Wildcats football team was an American football team that represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1946 college football season. In their first season under head coach Bear Bryant, the Wildcats compiled a 7–3 record (2–3 against SEC opponents) and outscored opponents by a total of 233 to 90.1946 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 25, 2022 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/1946-schedule.html Bryant was hired as Kentucky's head football coach in January 1946. He had been the head coach at Maryland in 1945. At age 32, he was one of the youngest head coaches at a major university.Bryan To Have Four Full-Time Assistants In Effort To Lift U. K. Football Fortunes Lexington Herald-Leader Laurence Shropshire January 15, 1946 6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93177439/bryant-and-four/ Newspapers.com Bryant took over a program that had compiled losing records of 2–8 in 1945, 3–6 in 1944, and 3–6–1 in 1942 – while winning only one game against an SEC opponent during the three years. Bryant promptly turned the program around, eventually leading the Wildcats to SEC and Sugar Bowl championships in 1950. Two Kentucky players received honors from the Associated Press (AP) or United Press (UP) on the 1946 All-SEC football team: Wallace Jones at end (AP-1, UP-3); and Dan Phelps at halfback (UP-2).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2562395/freeport_journalstandard/ Freeport Journal-Standard Eight Teams Place Men On AP All-Southeastern Conference Eleven November 30, 1946 8 June 6, 2015 Newspapers.com William Tucker https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6243016/the_anniston_star/ The Anniston Star November 21, 1946 16 May 30, 2015 Travis Tidwell, Auburn Back, On 2nd Team Newspapers.com Kentucky was ranked at No. 14 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System rankings for 1946.Rice Rated Fifth Best, Tennessee 12th by Lit Dr. E. E. Litkenhous The Knoxville News-Sentinel December 15, 1946 B4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123020754/rice-rated-fifth-best-tennessee-12th/ Newspapers.com The team played its home games at McLean Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. Schedule 1946 AP September 21 w Ole Miss McLean Stadium Lexington, KY 20–7 19,600 Wildcats Conquer Ole Miss In Opener, 20 To 6: Passing Attack Clicks For Bryant's Charges As 19,600 See Game Lexington Herald-Leader Babe Kimbrough September 22, 1946 13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102515316/wildcats-conquer-ole-miss-in-opener-20/ Newspapers.com September 28 w y y Cincinnati Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH 26–7 27,000 UC Bearcats Defeated By Kentucky, 26-7: Visitors Far Too Classy; Wildcats Break Ice In Second Quarter The Cincinnati Enquirer Dick Forbes September 29, 1946 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102092138/uc-bearcats-defeated-by-kentucky-26-7/ Newspapers.com October 5 w y Xavier McLean Stadium Lexington, KY 70–0 20,200 Kentucky Wildcats Overpower Xavier Musketeers, 70-0, For Third Win In Row Lexington Herald-Leader October 9, 1946 13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102519149/kentucky-wildcats-overpower-xavier/ Newspapers.com October 11 l y 19 Georgia 8 Sanford Stadium Athens, GA 13–28 25,000 Georgia Topples Kentucky 28-13: Cats Score 1st But Bulldogs Tally 7 In Each Quarter The Courier-Journal Roy Steinfort October 12, 1946 Sports 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99016977/georgia-topples-kentucky-28-13-cats/ Newspapers.com October 19 w Vanderbilt<hc> McLean Stadium Lexington, KY rivalry 10–7 21,000 Wildcats Hand Vanderbilt First Setback, 10-7 Lexington Herald-Leader Babe Kimbrough October 20, 1946 13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102520509/wildcats-hand-vanderbilt-first-setback/ Newspapers.com October 26 l y Alabama 11 Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL 7–21 22,500 Norman Bassett Gilmer leads Alabama to 21–7 win over Cats https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d0xBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6427%2C2488188 The Tuscaloosa News October 27, 1946 7 September 19, 2012 November 2 w y Michigan State McLean Stadium Lexington, KY 39–14 19,700 Cincinnati Rally Defeats State, 18 to 7: 22,524 See State Fall To Bearcats; Cincinnati Scores 2 Touchdowns in Last 10 Minutes to Win Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 27, 1946 25-25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101811537/cincinnati-rally-defeats-state-18-to/ Newspapers.com November 9 w y y Marquette Marquette Stadium Milwaukee, WI 35–0 12,000 Kentucky Calls Foe's Hand, Then Whacks It 35-7: Marquette Starts 12 Men But Play of Cats Shows Maybe It Wasn't Error The Courier-Journal Earl Ruby November 10, 1946 IV-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102206014/kentucky-calls-foes-hand-then-whacks/ Newspapers.com November 16 w y West Virginia McLean Stadium Lexington, KY 13–0 20,000 Kentucky Conquers West Virginia 13 To 0 Before 20,000: Phelps Chalks Up Both Touchdowns for Wildcats The Owensboro, Ky., Messenger Kyle Vance November 17, 1946 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102241897/kentucky-conquers-west-virginia-13-to-0/ Newspapers.com November 23 l y Tennessee 7 Shields-Watkins Field Knoxville, TN rivalry 0–7 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98738955/grid-victory-to-tennessee/ The Baltimore Sun Grid victory to Tennessee November 24, 1946 March 30, 2022 Newspapers.com 1946 Kentucky Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football December 16, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/1946-schedule.html Rankings 1946 college football rankings AP 1 9 19т NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 1947 NFL draft The 1947 NFL draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Wildcats were selected.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1947/draft.htm 1947 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com November 29, 2020 Kentucky Wildcats Round Pick Player Position NFL club 3 18 Ermal Allen Quarterback Chicago Cardinals 27 151 Phil Cutchin Back Philadelphia Eagles References Kentucky Category:Kentucky Wildcats football seasons Kentucky Wildcats football