LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Overlooked in the season-long talk about Kentucky's underclassmen are 19 seniors who helped with the development of their young teammates.

The seniors' contributions will be recognized before Saturday night's home finale against Samford (7-3) and they intend to follow up that emotional ceremony with their first victory in over two months.

A lot has happened since Kentucky (1-9) routed Kent State 47-14 on Sept. 8. Injuries have forced the Wildcats to use 46 underclassmen including 26 freshmen, and their inexperience has been exploited during an eight-game losing streak.

That skid led to coach Joker Phillips' firing as coach on Nov. 4. He will coach until the end of the season.

While this wasn't what Kentucky's seniors envisioned in their final season, this is a chance to reclaim that winning feeling.