Lexington, KY – With Frosh QB Kaiya Sheron at QB for Kentucky, the first play from scrimmage indicated that a win over the South Carolina Gamecocks required a special effort by the Wildcats (4-2, 1-2). They struggled in a 24-14 loss. On first down from the 25, Sheron and RB Chris Rodriguez mishandled the exchange between them. South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway picked the ball up and returned it to the Kentucky two. Thirteen seconds into the game, Marshon Lloyd (22 carries for 110 yards, one TD) blasted over for the Gamecocks 7-0 lead.
A blocked punt by South Carolina, their fifth this year for HC Shane Beamer (son of Frank), put the Cocks at the U of K 22. However, former Heisman candidate (and we do mean former) QB Spencer Rattler got sacked and fumbled the ball back. The Wildcat’s subsequent FG attempted hit the left upright to give USC the ball back. Neither squad scored again until late in the second period.
Life without Levis
Kentucky stopped the South Carolina drive entering Q2 on a fourth and two on their 40. The Wildcats capitalized when Sheron (15-27, 178 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) connected with Jordan Dingle on a 15-yard touchdown pass over the middle to knot the score, 7-7. After a punt, the Gamecocks held the Wildcats deep in their territory. They started from three and punted from their 19. An INT by Wildcat DB Trevin Wallace stopped a South Carolina drive at the 13 with 35 seconds to go in the second quarter.
The game we initially anticipated before this season began did not live up to our expectations. The matchup we envisioned did not see Levis in a boot on the sidelines nor Rattler not living up to the reputation developed before being benched last year at Oklahoma. However, the battle at Kroger Stadium this evening featured hard-hitting. The defenses took advantage of what they could from each other’s offenses. The offensive play especially frustrated Kentucky fans. Reports earlier in the week stated Levis suffered a finger injury, but later reports showed him in a walking cast. HC Bob Stoops eventually admitted his status was day-to-day. We plan to be back for Georgia on November 19. Hopefully, Levis returns to action before that.
South Caronia Gamecocks strut their stuff
Not as quick as in the first half, but South Carolina scored first again in the second half. RB Antwane Wells, Jr. sprinted 42 yards to the end zone to spring the Carolina lead, 14-7, at 2:18 into the third. The Wildcats went nowhere once again as sacks by Hemingway and Gilber Edmond set UK back for 20 yards combined. This night, South Carolina sacked Sheron six times. The Gamecocks started next from their 16 where Rattler (14-19, 172 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) seemed to become more comfortable. He mixed plays up passing and running with Lloyd before connecting with Jaylen Brooks along the ring sideline for 30 yards to the Wildcat 21. Strong-legged, Gamecock PK Mitch Jeter, who booted every kickoff through the end zone, put up a three from 32 to extend the South Carolina lead, 17-7.
In the final period, the Gamecocks broke the scoring ice once again when Jalen Brooks took his one handoff of the day and jaunted 24 yards for Carolina’s 24-7 lead with 6:53 left. By this time, many frustrated Kentucky fans already stepped out of Kroger Stadium, but most of those still in attendance stated to follow suit now. Gamecock fans started to celebrate! The Wildcats on the field did not let down, however. Not knowing how long they’ll be playing without Will Levis, they put together a 75-yard drive. Fifteen plays later with 2:49 left, Sheron tossed a 10-yard scoring pass to JuhTahn McClain to get within 24-14. South Carolina and fielded the onsides attempt. A three-and-out ensued. Carolina punted. Sheron threw an interception, and the surprising victory was South Carolina’s, 24-14.
With the win, the South Carolina Gamecock’s record with us sits at 10-4. Among teams we’ve seen play more than six times, they total a record of 10-4. That ties them with Alabama in ninth place with 10 wins, but sixth overall in winning percentage at 0.714 behind Wake Forest, Alabama, Penn State, Miami, and Tennessee. Kentucky stands at 2-3. We’ve seen the Gamecocks defeat the Wildcats in two of three games.
Week Seven coming up
Both SEC East teams have identical records now at 4-2, 1-2. South Carolina has a bye next weekend, before Texas A&M, 24-20 loser to Alabama, come to Columbia. Now No. 22 Kentucky awaits the recovery of Levis and the visitor to Kroger next weekend when No. 16 Mississippi State comes to town. Collegefootballfan.com stays local to see Western Kentucky (3-3,1-1) visit Middle Tennessee (3-3, 0-2) in a Conference USA clash in Murfreesboro. WKU fell in a close 31-28 loss to UTSA on Saturday. The Blue Raiders got burned by the UAB Blazers, 41-14. The home team has got to be itching for a win C-USA win here. This year’s game should be better than what we saw last year when the Hilltoppers won big, 48-21.
South Carolina and Kentucky in the Annals of our History
Note of thanks
To our daughter Alex, Gamecock Alum, and our son Eric, now Chief Petty Officer, USN, thanks for these tickets as a great Father’s Day gift. When St. Laurie and I boarded a shuttle bus from the downtown Lextran Center, with my Gamecock sweatshirt and ballcap on, I got booed! Prepared for entering Wildcat territory, I announced that our daughter and our money went to South Carolina! I would be back though to root for the Wildcats when they play Georgia. The message was greatly appreciated!
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Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: From the Fan who’s seen ‘em all! If you like this story, read all our tales when we saw all 120 FBS teams (at the time of publication) play for the first time. We also encourage you to submit a review when you do. Please click on the title or copy of the cover on our right sidebar to go to our Amazon page to buy and review. Thanks!
