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Wildcats Wire
The top 15 Kentucky sports moments of 2025-26: The complete list
- Story byWildcats Wire
- The top 15 Kentucky sports moments of 2025-26: The complete list
The 2025-26 Kentucky Wildcats sports seasons had some heartbreaking moments that left fans in tears, but there were also moments of incredible joy. Those moments brought Big Blue Nation to their collective feet to celebrate highlights that will go down in history as some of the best of all time. They're moments that those fans will tell their grandkids about.
We counted down those highlights, remembering the top 15 that Kentucky sports provided. Even if championships weren't won, plenty of hearts were. Let's take a look at those moments one more time.
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No. 15 - Dante Dowdell breaks free
In the opening game of the 2025 season, Kentucky led, but just by a single score in the second half. Then running back Dante Dowdell sealed the win with a long TD run.
No. 14 - Clara Strack responds
The Kentucky women's basketball team struggled late in the year. Then Kenny Brooks called his star center out, and she responded in a big way with some of her best play of the season.
No. 13 - Alex Ruiz game-winner
The Wildcats soccer team had a very good season, with some big wins. Alex Ruiz provided a highlight by helping them to win over a ranked West Virginia team with a game-winning goal.
No. 12 - Hailey Nutter no-nos
Freshman pitcher Hailey Nutter burst onto the scene early in the season with a no-hitter against Loyola-Chicago. Then, she turned around and thew a second no-no against Indiana State.
No. 11 - A game that showed what might've been
Injuries marred the 2025-26 season for the men's basketball team. However, against St. John's, in December, Jayden Quaintance and Jaland Lowe were on the court together, and fans saw a brief look at how things could have gone.
No. 10 - Sebastian Conlon's game-winning save
Penalty kicks to decide a game results in some of soccer's most exciting moments. In the SEC Tournament, against Coastal Carolina , Sebastian Conlon made a diving save to give the Cats a big win.
No. 9 - Brandon Garrison block party
The Wildcats had a tough time in the NCAA Tournament against Santa Clara. In overtime, when they needed some defense, Garrison came through with three blocks in the extra period.
No. 8 - Jayce Tharnish heroics
Kentucky baseball opened up NCAA Tournament play against a good Wake Forest team. After battling their way into a close game, Jayce Tharnish got on base, then created a game-winning run with his speed.
No. 7 - A Final Four comeback
The Kentucky volleyball team had a magical 2025 season, and made it to the championship game. To get there, they had to complete a comeback against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Final Four.
No. 6 - Cam Miller hustles
The Wildcats football team was closing in on a win over Auburn late in the season, but an interception nearly gave the Tigers life. However, receiver Cam Miller ran down the defender from behind and stripped it from him, giving it back to the Cats.
No. 5 - Captain Clutch does it again
Collin Chandler made a number of big shots last season. In Kentucky's second matchup with Tennessee , he nailed a big three-pointer that would give the Wildcats the lead for good to complete the season sweep.
No. 4 - Tonie Morgan calls game
The Wildcats women's basketball team had some clutch moments of their own. Against LSU , early in January, Tonie Morgan hit a last-second, game-winning three pointer to give them the victory.
No. 3 - Malachi Moreno buzzer beater
LSU was also the victim of a buzzer beater at the hands of the men's basketball team. Malachi Moreno took a full-court pass and turned to bury a miraculous shot to get a win.
No. 2 - A Texas-sized comeback
The Kentucky volleyball team fell behind Texas 2-0 in the SEC Tournament, and the Longhorns had match point in set three. However, Eva Hudson and company stormed back to in the third set, and completed the reverse sweep in the SEC Tournament championship.
No. 1 - Otega Oweh's miracle heave
The end of Kentucky's NCAA Tournament matchup with Santa Clara was a wild one. In the final seconds, the Cats fell behind on what looked like a game-winning three, but Otega Oweh quickly took the inbounds pass and launched a half-court heave that will go down in history as an all-time great moment.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: The top 15 Kentucky sports moments of 2025-26: The complete list
