8 Days To Kentucky Wildcats Football: The Immortals

Looking at the schedule above, two things stand out. The first is that Kentucky State College went undefeated, finishing the season at 7-0. Secondly, this team outscored their opponents 180-0. They held opponents scoreless throughout the entire season, being the only team in the history of the Kentucky Wildcats football program to go undefeated and unscored upon. It is this reason that the 1898 football team became known by the Big Blue Nation as the Immortals. By my counts, there are only 43 teams since 1870 to accomplish this feat, none since 1943.

With this distinction, the Immortals can go down as one of the greatest teams in the history of college football. It is imperative, however, to look at how the game has changed since then. The Immortals had an average playing weight of 147 lbs. Compare this to this years team, where the average weight is 247 lbs. In fact, the lightest player on this years team is punter Bryan Kirshe at 155 lbs. While this is only one indicator, it shows just how much more physical and tough football has become, especially with such humble beginnings.

Now, while none os us were alive to see the Immortals play, it is clear that another team like them is highly unlikely to come about. Even the best of teams nowadays, like the Alabama teams of late, cannot hold opponents scoreless, as there is simply too much parody in college football. And it is this reason that the Big Blue Nation should never forget and hold in reverence the best team to ever take the field for the University of Kentucky, the undefeated and unscored upon 1898 Kentucky State College football team known as the Immortals.

*Note: All stats and information found at UKathletics.com