Disastrous second quarter dooms Cats at South Carolina
Kentucky turned the ball over four times in what proved to be a disastrous second quarter Saturday in a 35-13 loss at South Carolina.
Two of those turnovers by the Wildcats led directly to points for the Gamecocks, who returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns to turn a 10-7 Kentucky lead into a 21-10 advantage. Another interception in UK territory made it 28-10 before the visitors knew what hit them at a raucous Williams-Brice Stadium.
In the span of five consecutive possessions, the Cats threw two interceptions, fumbled twice, and turned the ball over on downs near midfield.
“That’s the one thing that you know going into this game against them… You cannot give up a punt block for a score, a punt return for a touchdown, a defensive score,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said. “And we gave up two. That’s not where you want to live. That’s where they’re going to make their hay, they’re gonna let those (pass) rushers go.”
Clearly shaken by the momentum swing, Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC) managed only 91 yards of total offense the remainder of the game after gaining 141 and scoring on each of its first two drives of the game.
Making the first road start of his career, redshirt freshman Cutter Boley went 10 of 19 for 124 yards, two interceptions, and a fumble. He was sacked six times by the South Carolina defense, keeping the Cats from engineering a comeback.
South Carolina (3-2, 1-2 SEC) scored on only three of its own possessions, but made sure that’s all the points it would need. Talented dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who many have projected as the first signal caller taken in next year’s NFL Draft, passed for 153 yards and rushed for 81 to lead the Gamecocks.
Vandrevious Jacobs added five catches for 108 yards for South Carolina, and running backs Rahsul Faison and Matt Fuller combined for three rushing touchdowns.
The Gamecocks outgained the Cats 341-232.
Senior running back Seth McGowan was the lone bright spot for UK, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
*****
In our regular postgame feature, we touch on some quick-hitters from the Kentucky loss…
GAME BALL:
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina — The Gamecocks’ quarterback did not light up the scoreboard, but he consistently made plays to make sure South Carolina never relinquished the lead it was able to secure in the second quarter. He completed 11 of 14 passes for 153 yards and rushed 14 times for 81 yards. Most importantly, he had no turnovers.
BY THE NUMBERS:
0 – Times that Kentucky has scored more than two offensive touchdowns in SEC play in 10 games under OC Bush Hamdan.
1-11 – UK’s record in its last 12 power conference games.
4:0 – Turnover margin in favor of South Carolina.
6 – Sacks by the South Carolina defense. The Gamecocks had 10 tackles for loss on the night.
6.6 – Yards per carry by UK running back Seth McGowan.
7 – Straight losses in SEC play for UK, the longest streak since a similar span from the 2012-2014 seasons.
22-14-1 – South Carolina’s lead in the all-time series against Kentucky, including four straight victories.
QUOTABLE:
“It just got away from us there in the second quarter.” — UK head coach Mark Stoops.
UP NEXT:
Kentucky returns to action next week at Georgia for a Noon ET kickoff on either ABC or ESPN. The No. 5 Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1 SEC) were upset 24-21 tonight in Athens by No. 17 Alabama.