The Kentucky Wildcats have been competing in college football since 1881, but Saturday’s matchup against the Texas Longhorns in Austin will mark a historic milestone for the program. It will be the farthest west the Wildcats have ever traveled for a football game.
Kentucky has faced Texas in Austin once before, 73 years ago, under the legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The Longhorns narrowly won that 1950 contest 7-6. Later that same season, Kentucky returned to Texas, playing just east of Austin in the 1952 Cotton Bowl, where they secured a 20-7 victory over TCU.
With the expansion of Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, this Saturday’s game will officially set the record for the Wildcats’ westernmost football appearance.
Since their historic 1951 visit to Austin, the Kentucky Wildcats have played in Texas only four more times: against Baylor in 1963 and 1977, Houston in 1965, and Texas A&M in 2018. However, with both Texas and Texas A&M now part of the SEC and the conference moving away from its two-division format, Kentucky’s trips to the Lone Star State are set to become much more frequent.
Still, Saturday’s game against the Longhorns will join the 1951 matchup in Austin as the farthest west the Wildcats have ever traveled for a football game, as highlighted by Jon Hale of Kentucky.com.
Saturday’s historic trip to Texas isn’t shaping up to be an enjoyable one for the Wildcats. According to ESPN, the Longhorns are heavy favorites, with an 18.5-point edge over Kentucky. The Wildcats, sitting at 4-6 this season, face an uphill battle not only in Austin but also in their rivalry game against Louisville next week if they hope to secure bowl eligibility.
