Before SportsCenter passes the baton to College Gameday, ESPN highlights the best uniforms on display for the upcoming Saturday slate. Throwback uniforms are consistently featured. Every now and then, an alternate gray or black Kentucky uniform will be highlighted, but you’ll never see a classic throwback look.

Why don’t the Cats try throwback uniforms? You have the Ohio Bobcats to blame.

Long before throwback uniforms became a common thread across college football, in 2004 Nike collaborated with Kentucky to create a look never seen before. The blue helmets featured a classic Wildcat across the state of Kentucky, a logo used in the 1960s.

The jerseys were not identical to one from the past, but a potpourri of classic looks mashed together. With two stripes on the sleeves, the font of the numbers slightly resembled the Indianapolis Colts uniforms.

Finding quality photographs of these on the internet is a challenge, but fortunately, Corey Price is the best internet sleuth in BBN.

One fan shared a closer look at the uniform he still has on display.

Hanging in my office currently… pic.twitter.com/ywxzqWndK3

— Mark Turner (@MarkTurner0920) September 19, 2024

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board.

The Kentucky vs. Ohio Game was a Disaster

Expectations were not high for the Kentucky Wildcats entering the 2004 season. The Cats were still under probation in Rich Brooks’ second year. Nevertheless, the throwback uniforms against a team from the MAC were supposed to serve as a feel-good moment for Kentucky football fans. That was not the case.

The Cats took a 7-0 advantage and never saw a lead again. Trailing at halftime, any chance at a comeback was dashed by an 89-yard Ohio touchdown to start the fourth quarter. Many fans had already left the Commonwealth Stadium stands when the Cats scored with a minute remaining to provide a final score of 28-16.

Kentucky committed five turnovers and was out-gained by the Bobcats. It was so ugly that very little evidence of the action exists, except for this short highlight reel produced by the MAC school.

Let Us Have The Old Uniforms

Kentucky already served up a little vengeance for this loss during Mark Stoops’ second season. It wasn’t pretty, but the Cats got a 20-3 victory over Frank Solich’s squad in one of five wins for the Wildcats back in 2014.

That game was forgettable. Kentucky fans will forever associate the 2004 loss to Ohio with the throwback uniforms. Even though they were only meant to be worn once, with game-worn uniforms auctioned off to benefit the Trent DiGiuro Scholarship, it’s a good bet to believe that this loss is the reason why we have not seen Kentucky wear throwback uniforms ever again.

The Power K helmet does not need to be worn every Saturday. But man, it sure would be awesome to receive a classic look every once in a while. Maybe a big win on Saturday can help us push this demon into the depths of Kentucky football past and let us have another throwback uniform in the near future.

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