The 2002 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Wildcats scored 385 points while allowing 301 points.
Though finishing with a 7–5 record, the Wildcats were not bowl eligible due to NCAA sanctions resulting from the tenure of former head coach Hal Mumme.
Season
Kentucky opened with a 22–17 win at #17 Louisville, a nationally broadcast upset at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in which Kentucky reclaimed the Governor's Cup. A 77–17 win over UTEP followed (the second largest point total in school history at the time), and wins against Indiana and Middle Tennessee State put Kentucky at 4–0. A 41–34 loss at #7 Florida was followed by a 16–12 loss to South Carolina that came down to the final play. A 29–17 win at Arkansas followed. A 52–24 loss to #5 Georgia was followed by a 45–24 win at Mississippi State. A 33–30 loss to #16 LSU on the game's final play was followed by a 41–21 win against Vanderbilt and a 24–0 loss at Tennessee.