The 1974 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. The Wildcats scored 248 points while allowing 194 points, finishing 6âÂÂ5 overall and 3âÂÂ3 in the SEC.
Mike Fanuzzi and Tom Ehlers were chosen as team captains.
Kentucky opened with a 38âÂÂ7 win at Virginia Tech, followed by a 16âÂÂ3 road loss at West Virginia. A 28âÂÂ22 home win against Indiana was next, then a 14âÂÂ10 loss to Miami (Ohio).
Kentucky lost its SEC opener on the road at Auburn, 31âÂÂ13, but followed with a 20âÂÂ13 home win against LSU, the Wildcats' first victory vs. the Bayou Bengals since 1960. A 24âÂÂ20 home loss to Georgia was followed by a 30âÂÂ7 win at Tulane. Kentucky then won two conference games at home, 38âÂÂ12 against Vanderbilt and 41âÂÂ24 against #9-ranked Florida (7âÂÂ2). Florida already received an invitation to the Sugar Bowl, while Kentucky, at 5âÂÂ4, was looking to clinch its first winning season since 1965. Florida jumped out to a 17âÂÂ6 lead but Kentucky outscored the Gators 35âÂÂ7 the rest of the way, causing three Florida fumbles, intercepting two passes and blocking two punts. Kentucky closed its season with a 24âÂÂ7 loss at Tennessee for a final mark of 6âÂÂ5 overall and 3âÂÂ3 in the SEC.