In 1998 Kentucky won its season opener against Louisville at the christening of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium by the lopsided score of 68–34. Kentucky improved to 3–0 with wins over Eastern Kentucky University and Indiana and was ranked #25 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Losses to #8 Florida and at #22 Arkansas followed. Kentucky then defeated South Carolina and #21 LSU. A close loss to Georgia on a missed last-second field goal was followed by victories over eventual SEC West champion Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. At 7–3 and ranked #25 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, Kentucky then lost its regular season finale at Tennessee. Tim Couch was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Kentucky then played in the Outback Bowl, Kentucky's first New Year's Day bowl in 47 years. Despite jumping out to a 14–3 lead, Penn State won 26–14. Couch elected to forgo his senior season and enter the 1999 NFL Draft, where the Cleveland Browns selected him with the #1 overall pick.