The new numbers are in, and it seems Kentucky's spring football attendance figure wasn't a fluke.

As of Monday, the school reported it had sold 35,342 season football tickets, more than double the number of season tickets sold on this date last season, which was 17,647.

The deadline to renew season tickets for the 2013 season was last Wednesday.

Last season, when UK's renewal date was later, the school sold 29,119 season tickets by the deadline.

Using the deadline totals, UK sold 6,223 more season tickets this season than last, an increase of 21.4 percent.

UK sold just 38,475 season tickets all of last season, a figure it is just 3,133 from matching — with several big marketing pushes to come this spring and summer.

Since the hiring of Coach Mark Stoops, there has been a surge of renewed interest in football, including 50,831 fans showing up at Commonwealth Stadium for the Blue-White Spring Game on April 13. That number more than doubled the previous spring record of 20,325 set in 1987.

It also was among the top spring-game crowds in the nation this season, ranking sixth behind Auburn (83,401), Alabama (78,315), Tennessee (61,076), Nebraska (60,174) and Arkansas (51,088).

Kentucky had more fans than heavy hitters like Texas (46,000), Texas A&M (45,212), Georgia (45,113) and Ohio State (37,643).

According to the UK Athletics website, tickets for next season are still available in the lower-level end zone ($100 and $300 K Fund areas), upper-level sidelines and upper-level corner.

Tickets can be ordered online or by calling 1-800-928-2287. Student tickets go on sale later this summer.

Jennifer Smith: (859) 231-3241 Twitter: @jenheraldleader Blog: ukwomen.bloginky.com