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Is Kentucky For Real?

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By JOEY JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2007

It's startling to contemplate how much of a non-factor the Kentucky Wildcats had become in the SEC.

And how far the standards had fallen.

But slowly, respectability has returned.

Last September, the Wildcats defeated Ole Miss 31-14, UK's first victory in an SEC opener since 1987, ending a streak of 18 straight 0-1 starts in the league (11 of them imposed by Steve Spurrier's Florida Gators).

In December, the Wildcats beat Clemson 28-20 at the Music City Bowl, UK's first bowl victory in 22 seasons.

Saturday night, the Wildcats (3-0) held off No. 9-ranked Louisville 40-34, killing a string of four straight losses against a state rival that UK once refused to place on its schedule.

It was UK's first victory against a top 10 team since 1977, when Fran Curci's Wildcats defeated Penn State. It ended an 0-for-45 streak against the elite teams. It was UK's first home defeat of a top-10 team since a 1974 victory against No. 9 Florida.

That's a lot of negative statistics to be slayed in one year, but Coach Rich Brooks' Wildcats have accomplished more than anyone imagined. Kentucky entered The Associated Press poll at No. 21 on Sunday, its first ranking since the final 1984 poll.

It's natural to doubt a program that has taken baby steps toward establishing a track record. It's logical to be skeptical about a team that resides in the SEC East, along with traditional powers Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, not to mention the fast-charging South Carolina Gamecocks.

But UK has an equalizer - senior quarterback Andre' Woodson, a 6-foot-5, 230-pounder who might be the top signal-caller in next spring's NFL draft. Woodson was superb against Louisville, completing 30 of 44 passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns, while outdueling Cardinals quarterback Brian Brohm, a nemesis dating to their high school careers.

Woodson has a signature victory.

To enter the Heisman Trophy campaign, to establish UK as an SEC contender, he probably needs more.

'I've seen Woodson throw the ball and I know about the comparisons of him and Brohm,' said ESPN's Doug Flutie, the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner from Boston College. 'I think he's phenomenal. But a quarterback is so dependent on the people around him. He'll make Kentucky competitive. But to win and go after a title, it's tough.'

Kentucky travels to Arkansas, last season's SEC West champion, on Saturday. After facing Florida Atlantic, the Wildcats face a murderous three-game SEC swing - at South Carolina, followed by home games with LSU and Florida - that will define their season.

The Wildcats have improved, no doubt. But questions remain.

Was the victory against Louisville a one-game blip?

Or the start of something much bigger?

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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