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50 years ago tonight: Kentucky vs Miss State (Jackson)
Posted on 10/6/23 at 11:57 am
Posted on 10/6/23 at 11:57 am
now, this one isn't an epic matchup even then.But there were some intersting backstories. The two teams rarely played one another. The SEC did insitute more uniform scheduling in 1972 and two did play in Lexington. But this would only be the two's 8th meeting as SEC opponents in the league's 40th year. This also would be Kentucky's first trip to face State in Mississippi since 1952. The coaches that day were Bear Bryant from Kentucky and Murray Warmath from Miss State.Warmath would leave State for Minnesota and would be replace by Darrell Royal. Both would go on to win National Titles at their next stop
Both State and Kentucky had new coaches. "Up and coming" Bob Tyler was State's new coach. An Ole Miss grad he was favored by many to take over for John Vaught after being "encouraged" to retire after the 1970 season. Fran Curci came to Lexington from Tampa and his alma mater,Miami.
The game at Jackson's Mississippi Memorial Stadium was rather common for State (and Ole Miss) for 'big games' in the late 1960's and 1970's. Jackson's stadium held close to 46,000 and Scott Field held 35,000. Miss State, back in Jackson for the second week in a row, was 2-0-1 with two big SEC wins over Vanderbilt and then #16 Florida. The tie was a come from behind effort in the season opener vs then NE Louisiana (ULM). Kentucky was 1-2 with a win over VPI, gutty loss to Alabama and a bad loss to Indiana and their new coach Lee Corso.
State was anywhere from a 7 to 10 point favorite and had gotten placed in the AP's "Others Receiving Votes" quite a feat for a "non Big 6 team." Kentucky was in offensive flux after scoring only three points in their last 6 quarters.
If Kentucky wasn't struggling enough a wire service article broke the day of UK's trip to Jackson. Some of Curci's former players at Miami spoke of the 'brutality' in camp and practice. Hurricane players would have to crawl under a small structure covered with chicken wire and basically beat each other up. No rules, eye gouging, hair pulling,whatever.
So, a win by State would probably get them over the hump in the AP top 20. "Home" crowd, offense clicking with future head coach Rockey Felker as QB and 8 point favorite. What could go wrong?
Final: Kentucky 42 Miss State 14. Kentucky's Sonny Collins,to this day has sported the best ever Afro in the SEC-- had his break out game with 4 td's and rushing for over 225 yards.
Both State and Kentucky had new coaches. "Up and coming" Bob Tyler was State's new coach. An Ole Miss grad he was favored by many to take over for John Vaught after being "encouraged" to retire after the 1970 season. Fran Curci came to Lexington from Tampa and his alma mater,Miami.
The game at Jackson's Mississippi Memorial Stadium was rather common for State (and Ole Miss) for 'big games' in the late 1960's and 1970's. Jackson's stadium held close to 46,000 and Scott Field held 35,000. Miss State, back in Jackson for the second week in a row, was 2-0-1 with two big SEC wins over Vanderbilt and then #16 Florida. The tie was a come from behind effort in the season opener vs then NE Louisiana (ULM). Kentucky was 1-2 with a win over VPI, gutty loss to Alabama and a bad loss to Indiana and their new coach Lee Corso.
State was anywhere from a 7 to 10 point favorite and had gotten placed in the AP's "Others Receiving Votes" quite a feat for a "non Big 6 team." Kentucky was in offensive flux after scoring only three points in their last 6 quarters.
If Kentucky wasn't struggling enough a wire service article broke the day of UK's trip to Jackson. Some of Curci's former players at Miami spoke of the 'brutality' in camp and practice. Hurricane players would have to crawl under a small structure covered with chicken wire and basically beat each other up. No rules, eye gouging, hair pulling,whatever.
So, a win by State would probably get them over the hump in the AP top 20. "Home" crowd, offense clicking with future head coach Rockey Felker as QB and 8 point favorite. What could go wrong?
Final: Kentucky 42 Miss State 14. Kentucky's Sonny Collins,to this day has sported the best ever Afro in the SEC-- had his break out game with 4 td's and rushing for over 225 yards.
10
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:23 pm to I-59 Tiger
I hear stories about Sonny Collins, some of them quite crazy like apparently he liked to streak across campus.
In a recent interview he revealed the Afro was a wig, if you look at pictures in his uniform he was always bald. Obviously widely known at the time, I just never had a reason to look Collins up before other than a name on a stat sheet.
Also turns out now he's a grand dad and a full time biker. He's out there on the highway somewhere getting ready to steal your girl.
In a recent interview he revealed the Afro was a wig, if you look at pictures in his uniform he was always bald. Obviously widely known at the time, I just never had a reason to look Collins up before other than a name on a stat sheet.
Also turns out now he's a grand dad and a full time biker. He's out there on the highway somewhere getting ready to steal your girl.
This post was edited on 10/6/23 at 12:24 pm
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:29 pm to I-59 Tiger
quote:
Hurricane players would have to crawl under a small structure covered with chicken wire and basically beat each other up. No rules, eye gouging, hair pulling,whatever.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:33 pm to LouisvilleKat
My dad (from Hazard) tells a story about some white dude sitting in sonny Collins classroom seat for roll call lol.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:40 pm to I-59 Tiger
quote:
50 years ago tonight: Kentucky vs Miss State (Jackson)
And 55 years ago tonight in Jackson, Johnny Cash went down to mess around on June Carter
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:45 pm to ManBearSharkReb
quote:The 70's in Kentucky were a wild time in Kentucky football. There were allegations of point shaving, drug running, and a strange kidnapping / murder plot.
My dad (from Hazard) tells a story about some white dude sitting in sonny Collins classroom seat for roll call lol.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:48 pm to I-59 Tiger
Great post. Post more of these.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:48 pm to I-59 Tiger
idiots on this forum - idiots from Mississippi - still cannot tell me if the northern Jackson neighborhood near the University of Mississippi medical school has become a bad neighborhood.
Smack between Belhaven University and Millsaps College. Eudora's Welty's house is there. Bike trails. Other good things. That's some damn good property to possibly invest in, but the dipshits on here say it's crime ridden just because it's in the city limits.
I know Jackson sucks, dipshits, but I'm asking about a small neighborhood that the state will not abandon. Your doctors are trained there.
and yes I know UAB doesn't give a shite their med school students are in a murder zone
I59 Tiger, your thread has done well here today to light a fire under some asses
Smack between Belhaven University and Millsaps College. Eudora's Welty's house is there. Bike trails. Other good things. That's some damn good property to possibly invest in, but the dipshits on here say it's crime ridden just because it's in the city limits.
I know Jackson sucks, dipshits, but I'm asking about a small neighborhood that the state will not abandon. Your doctors are trained there.
and yes I know UAB doesn't give a shite their med school students are in a murder zone
I59 Tiger, your thread has done well here today to light a fire under some asses
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:49 pm to I-59 Tiger
Love these old stories 59. Curci ran a training much like Bryant. He took the Wildcats to a 10-1 record in 76 I believe (including a win against #4 Penn St) but after the sanctions hit he couldn't get them back and in came Jerry Claiborne.
As far as Sonny Collins, he was legendary around Lexington. 1973 SEC player of the year and held the UK rushing title until Benny Snell broke it. Superb back.
As far as Sonny Collins, he was legendary around Lexington. 1973 SEC player of the year and held the UK rushing title until Benny Snell broke it. Superb back.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:49 pm to BowlJackson
That song is about Jackson, TN not MS.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 12:53 pm to I-59 Tiger
Very nice post
Today you just give them cars, trucks, and cash.
quote:
Hurricane players would have to crawl under a small structure covered with chicken wire and basically beat each other up. No rules, eye gouging, hair pulling,whatever.
Today you just give them cars, trucks, and cash.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 1:04 pm to UKWildcats
Posted on 10/6/23 at 1:07 pm to Harry Rex Vonner
If you are so confident go right ahead and buy some real estate there. Would love for your opinion to play out at your expense..
Posted on 10/6/23 at 1:16 pm to RawDog84
quote:
If you are so confident go right ahead and buy some real estate there. Would love for your opinion to play out at your expense..
so you're saying you think three universities in that real estate peninsula could literally pull up stakes and move up the Madison/Ridgeland?
really? Don't give me a guess. Know what the hell you're talking about, or shut up
Posted on 10/6/23 at 1:22 pm to RawDog84
quote:
Would love for your opinion to play out at your expense..
so you're from Mississippi, and you would "love" for me to regret the decision....
Dear Lord burn this world down.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 1:27 pm to I-59 Tiger
A sorry mirrored by the South Carolina football program so many times; get almost into the top 25 and then lose one you’re supposed to win.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 1:28 pm to UKWildcats
quote:
That song is about Jackson, TN not MS.
Never heard of it.
Could be about Jackson, AL
which, IMO, is the jewel of the Thomasville - Jackson - Demopolis tricity areaPosted on 10/6/23 at 1:46 pm to ManBearSharkReb
quote:
from Hazard
I worked in Hazard KY for 2 weaks. Not a place to feel confortable at, and I'm White with a southern accent.
Posted on 10/6/23 at 2:15 pm to I-59 Tiger
Even to this day, Collins is a top 5 running backs in SEC history.
Herschel
Bo
E. Smith
McFadden
Collins
Herschel
Bo
E. Smith
McFadden
Collins
Posted on 10/6/23 at 2:25 pm to 1loyalbamafan
quote:
I worked in Hazard KY for 2 weaks. Not a place to feel confortable at, and I'm White with a southern accent.
If you ain't from there, you ain't from there.
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