The Kentucky Wildcats don’t have much to draw from when it comes to beating the Alabama Crimson Tide at football. Kentucky has toppled Alabama just twice on the gridiron, and one of those wins came more than a century ago (1922).
Fortunately, the Wildcats will have some support this weekend from two of the men who delivered their other triumph.
Friday morning, Kentucky confirmed that quarterback Tim Couch and wide receiver Craig Yeast will be honorary captains for Saturday’s game versus the Crimson Tide. Back in 1997, the former Wildcat passer and receiver connected on a 26-yard touchdown in overtime to give Kentucky a 40-34 victory over Alabama.
There were six lead changes when the Crimson Tide and Wildcats battled it out on Oct. 4, 1997. Kentucky actually had the biggest advantage in the game, going up 27-17 in the third quarter on Couch’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Coleman.
Alabama scored the next 14 points to take a four-point lead, but the Wildcats jumped ahead 34-31 late in regulation when Anwar Stewart returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide sent the game to overtime on Brian Cunningham’s 37-yard field goal, which set the stage for Couch and Yeast to do their thing.
Just like it did back then, Kentucky will need a full-team effort to beat Alabama on Saturday. Kickoff between the Wildcats and Crimson Tide is 3:30 p.m. E.T. (ABC).
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