| Year: | 1974 |
| Team: | Kentucky Wildcats |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Southeastern Conference |
| Short Conf: | SEC |
| Record: | 6–5 |
| Conf Record: | 3–3 |
| Head Coach: | Fran Curci |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Off Coach: | Jon Mirilovich |
| Oc Year: | 2nd |
| Def Coach: | Bill Narduzzi |
| Dc Year: | 2nd |
| Stadium: | Commonwealth Stadium |
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 6–5 overall and 3–3 in the SEC.[1] [2]
Mike Fanuzzi and Tom Ehlers were chosen as team captains.[2]
Kentucky opened with a 38–7 win at Virginia Tech, followed by a 16–3 road loss at West Virginia. A 28–22 home win against Indiana was next, then a 14–10 loss to Miami (Ohio).[1] [2]
Kentucky lost its SEC opener on the road at Auburn, 31–13, but followed with a 20–13 home win against LSU, the Wildcats' first victory vs. the Bayou Bengals since 1960. A 24–20 home loss to Georgia was followed by a 30–7 win at Tulane. Kentucky then won two conference games at home, 38–12 against Vanderbilt and 41–24 against #9-ranked Florida (7–2). Florida already received an invitation to the Sugar Bowl, while Kentucky, at 5–4, was looking to clinch its first winning season since 1965. Florida jumped out to a 17–6 lead but Kentucky outscored the Gators 35–7 the rest of the way, causing three Florida fumbles, intercepting two passes and blocking two punts.[3] Kentucky closed its season with a 24–7 loss at Tennessee for a final mark of 6–5 overall and 3–3 in the SEC.[1] [2]
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
| Elmore Stephens | Tight end | 2 | 34 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Rick Nuzum | Tackle | 5 | 126 | Los Angeles Rams |
| Tom Ehlers | Linebacker | 13 | 323 | Philadelphia Eagles |