A pair of programs from the East Division of the SEC battle on the gridiron in search of a victory in the Bluegrass State. The South Carolina Gamecocks are on the road as they take on the #13 Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night. South Carolina comes in off a one-sided 50-10 home victory over FCS program South Carolina State in their previous contest last Thursday. Kentucky battled only to end up falling 22-19 on the road at #14 Ole Miss last Saturday in their most recent game. In the all-time series between the programs, the Gamecocks own an 18-14-1 edge though the Wildcats have won the last two matchups. That includes a 16-10 road victory in the most recent contest on September 25, 2021.
South Carolina won their second straight game as they put the boots to South Carolina State in their previous contest. The Gamecocks improved to 3-2 on the season overall and are 0-2 in SEC play coming into this game as they look for a road upset here. Against South Carolina State, South Carolina got off to a slow start as they led 8-0 after the opening quarter and 22-0 at the half. The Gamecocks never let their lead drop below 15 the rest of the way en route to the win. South Carolina owned a 404-220 edge in total offense, picked up 21 first downs while allowing 13 while losing the time of possession 30:54 to 29:06 in the game. Both teams turned the ball over three times yet the game was as one-sided as it gets.
The Gamecocks are 35th in the FBS in scoring offense as they put up 35.6 points a game this season. South Carolina is 52nd in the nation in passing offense with 257.4 yards a contest and 88th in rushing by averaging 138.2 yards per game. The Gamecocks are 81st in scoring defense as they allow 27.2 points per game. Spencer Rattler is 98 of 151 passing for 1,121 yards with four touchdowns against seven interceptions while adding nine yards and a score on the ground. Luke Doty is 10 of 14 for 146 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 63 yards and a score on the ground. MarShawn Lloyd leads the team on the ground with 53 carries for 324 yards and six scores this season. Juju McDowell (34 carries, 118 yards, two TD) and Christian Beal-Smith (20 carries, 76 yards, three TD) are also in the mix on the ground. Antwane Wells Jr. leads the team with 24 receptions for 309 yards plus a score this season. Jalen Brooks (17 grabs, 298 yards), Jaheim Bell (nine grabs, 121 yards), Lloyd (13 catches, 118 yards, two TD) and Ahmarean Brown (eight receptions, 112 yards) are all over the 100-yard mark in receiving yards thi s season. Mitch Jeter is 12 of 13 on extra point attempts and five of five on field goal attempts with a long of 53 this season. Alex Herrera hit all three extra point attempts without attempting a field goal on the year.