1981 Kentucky Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1981 Kentucky Wildcats football Southeastern Conference SEC 3–8 2–4 Fran Curci 9th Commonwealth Stadium The 1981 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their ninth and final season under head coach Fran Curci, the Wildcats compiled a 3–8 record (2–4 against SEC opponents), finished in a tie for sixth place in the SEC, and were outscored by their opponents, 224 to 134.1981 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 23, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/1981-schedule.htmlKentucky Football Media Guide University of Kentucky August 23, 2016 184 2015 https://www.ukathletics.com/page/2015-football-media-guide The team played its home games in Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. The team's statistical leaders included Randy Jenkins with 1,079 passing yards, Lawrence Lee with 275 rushing yards, and Rick Massie with 448 receiving yards.1981 Kentucky Wildcats Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 23, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/1981.html At the end of November 1981, Curci was fired by the University of Kentucky. The decision followed four losing seasons, arrests of 18 players from 1978 to 1981, and recruiting violations that resulted in the program being placed on probation.Kentucky Fires Coach Curci After Athletic Board's Vote The Palm Beach Post November 25, 1981 D2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6393754/kentucky_fires_coach_curci/ Schedule 1981 AP y y September 5 North Texas State<ncg> Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY W 28-6 55,262 Wildcats roll over North Texas State 28–6 Sunday Herald-Leader Mark Bradley September 6, 1981 D1, D7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86581932/wildcats-roll-over-north-texas-state/ Newspapers.com September 19 No. 12 Alabama Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY L 10-19 57,960 Alabama rallies, snatches victory from Cats Sunday Herald-Leader Mark Bradley September 20, 1981 D1, D5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86582231/alabama-rallies-snatches-victory-from/ Newspapers.com September 26 at Kansas<ncg> Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS L 16-21 40,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-ku-overcomes-loss-o/134521177/ The Kansas City Star KU overcomes loss of Bell September 27, 1981 November 1, 2023 Newspapers.com October 3 No. 14 Clemson<ncg> Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY L 3-21 57,453 Clemson roars back to whip Wildcats 21–3 Sunday Herald-Leader Jerry Tipton October 4, 1981 C1, C5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86582419/clemson-roars-back-to-whip-wildcats-21-3/ Newspapers.com October 10 South Carolina<ncg> Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY L 14-28 57,553 Gamecocks' second-half surge dooms Cats Sunday Herald-Leader Mark Bradley October 11, 1981 D1, D5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86582598/gamecocks-second-half-surge-dooms-cats/ Newspapers.com October 17 at LSU Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA L 10-24 69,169 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-park-city-daily-news-kickoff-return/134478875/ The Park City Daily News Kickoff return zaps Wildcats in 24–10 loss October 18, 1981 November 2, 2023 Newspapers.com October 24 at No. 7 Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA L 0-21 80,780 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-at-lastkentucky-br/134477034/ Messenger-Inquirer At last...Kentucky breaks losing streak with 17–10 win over Vanderbilt November 8, 1981 November 2, 2023 Newspapers.com October 31 Virginia Tech<ncg> Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY L 3-29 54,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90685384/the-beat-goes-on-va-tech-drums-uk/ Messenger-Inquirer The beat goes on, Va. Tech drums UK November 1, 1981 December 16, 2021 Newspapers.com November 7 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry) W 17-10 40,250 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-at-lastkentucky-br/134477034/ Messenger-Inquirer At last...Kentucky breaks losing streak with 17–10 win over Vanderbilt November 8, 1981 November 2, 2023 Newspapers.com November 14 at Florida Florida Field Gainesville, FL (rivalry) L 12-33 60,286 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-gators-feast-on-wildcats/134521273/ The Tennessean Gators feast on Wildcats November 15, 1981 November 2, 2023 Newspapers.com November 21 Tennessee Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY (rivalry) W 21-10 54,604 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107857008/wildcats-silence-vols-thunder/ The Paducah Sun Wildcats silence Vols' thunder November 22, 1981 August 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Roster 1981 Kentucky Wildcats f }} * References Kentucky Category:Kentucky Wildcats football seasons Kentucky Wildcats football