The 1976 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. The Wildcats beat four different ranked teams during the season, scoring 209 points while allowing 151 points. Kentucky won the 1976 Peach Bowl and finished the season 8âÂÂ4 and ranked #19 in the country.
Kentucky opened the season with a 38âÂÂ13 victory over Oregon State. Next was a 16âÂÂ37 loss at Kansas. The following week, Kentucky defeated West Virginia 14âÂÂ10.
On October 10, Kentucky hosted #20 ranked Penn State. The 57,733 in attendance was the largest crowd ever for a football game in the state of Kentucky up to that time. Kentucky quarterback Derrick Ramsey ran for 95 yards and a touchdown; running back Chris Hill added 106 yards and a touchdown, and safety Rick Hayden had two interceptions. Kentucky held Penn State to 212 yards of total offense and won 22âÂÂ6. Penn State coach Joe Paterno commented after the game, "That was a good football team we played. What can you say after you get the devil kicked out of you?"
That victory was followed by a 7âÂÂ14 loss at Mississippi State, a team that would finish the season with a 9âÂÂ2 record. The following week, Kentucky defeated LSU 21âÂÂ7. A 7âÂÂ31 loss to Georgia was next, followed by a 14âÂÂ24 loss at Maryland.
Kentucky went undefeated in November, defeating Vanderbilt 14âÂÂ0 and Florida 28âÂÂ9, and beating Tennessee 7âÂÂ0 in Knoxville.
Kentucky finished the season in the 1976 Peach Bowl against 9âÂÂ2 North Carolina, ranked #18. Kentucky outgained North Carolina 334 yards to 109; the Wildcat defense held the Tar Heels to a total of five first downs and the Wildcats forced five turnovers. Kentucky won 21âÂÂ0 and ended the season ranked #19 in the AP poll. In 1978, the loss to Mississippi State was vacated due to sanctions, which meant that Kentucky officially went 5âÂÂ2 in SEC play and therefore was co-champion of the SEC for 1976. As of 2025, it currently is the last time Kentucky has won the SEC in football.