Kentucky players to watch against South Carolina

Kentucky’s first road trip of the season has arrived in Week 5. The Cats are facing a familiar opponent in what feels like the biggest moment of the season. But this is a spot that the program has been in before against this opponent.

Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium is a huge game for both South Carolina and Kentucky. Mark Stoops‘ team is currently a one-possession road underdog against a team that has not scored more than two offensive touchdowns in a game this season. It seems likely that a rock fight could take place on Saturday night in Columbia. Who is better suited to win in a rock fight?

Kentucky made a concerted effort to rebuild their team from the inside-out in the transfer portal in the offseason. The Cats wanted to construct a roster that could win games like this one. Football is the ultimate team sport but certain individuals must play well for any team to max out.

These are the UK players who could make biggest impact in a big moment on Saturday night.

Ride you best skill talent player

Kentucky had plenty of unknowns on offense entering the 2025 season. The Wildcats opened Week 1 with transfers starters at quarterback, tailback, wide receiver, left tackle, left guard, and right tackle. This program went through a massive rebuild and had to find some stars.

A star has emerged in the backfield.

Through three games, former Oklahoma and New Mexico State tailback Seth McGowan has rushed for 275 yards on 5.4 yards per rush with six touchdowns. The former blue-chip recruit has seen his yardage total increase with each game and has already forced 15 missed tackles. McGowan has emerged as the best player on Kentucky’s offense.

Now comes Week 5 where Kentucky has a quarterback making his first career road start and is facing a run defense that just allowed nearly 300 rushing yards last week. For UK to win games, they will want to establish the run and use it to dictate the terms of the game.

Dante Dowdell will have a role in this game but McGowan is Kentucky’s top option. The Cats are undefeated in this series under Mark Stoops when they rush for 180-plus yards. They need to get there on Saturday to win the game.

It starts with McGowan who should get a lot of touches on Saturday night.

Holding up at cornerback

Starting cornerback DJ Waller Jr. injured his hamstring early in the Week 1 game against Toledo and has missed every game since. The junior will be inactive on Saturday night. That means sophomore Terhyon Nichols is set to make his fourth career starter.

The former blue-chip recruit out of Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow has played some good football when he has been on the field but he did leave the Eastern Michigan victory with an injury. When he was off the field, UK struggled at cornerback both against Ole Miss and Eastern Michigan.

Kentucky cannot afford another injury at cornerback. The Cats need Nichols and JQ Hardaway on the field. Due to recent results, it would be a shock if South Carolina didn’t try and challenge Kentucky on the perimeter since they have had tackling and coverage breakdown issues outside the hashmarks. UK will need their young cornerback to play sound football.

Finding explosive plays

Kentucky’s offensive identity this season will be defined by the offensive line and the traditional running game. But to consistently score points, UK must get better at finding explosive plays. These can come from the running game but they are just going to be easier to find in the passing game.

Can UK find some on Saturday night? If they do, this wide receiver will likely be involved.

It has not been a explosive start for Alabama transfer Kendrick Law in Lexington, but when he has gotten the ball in his hands, he has shown the ability to create after the touch. Kentucky just needs to get him some touches.

If Bush Hamdan has a gadget play or two on the call sheet this weekend, it will likely involve Law. Expect Kentucky to try and get the senior the ball early to give Cutter Boley some easy completions and perhaps create an easy chunk play with some creation after the catch.

Kentucky will go big-play hunting at certain points throughout the game. Kendrick Law will be a big part of that process.

Taking advantage of a South Carolina weakness

South Carolina has had offensive line play issues throughout the Shane Beamer era and that is no different in 2025. The Gamecocks are struggling in the trenches. This group is allowing seven tackles for loss per game across 56.2 snaps, has allowed a 34.6 percent pressure rate, and has produced just 1.11 yards before contact in the run game. There are major line of scrimmage problems.

South Carolina has already made a personnel change at center and left guard to try to find some answers. True freshman Shedrick Sarratt Jr. is being asked to start at left guard but there have been some problems at tackle. Starting right tackle Cason Henry will miss this game. Kentucky must take advantage.

The Cats figure to have an interior advantage and that is something South Carolina must stop first. But they also should have an advantage on the edge. South Dakota defensive end transfer Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace (8 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 4 pressures) has been playing good football and has shown up in some big moments this season. The redshirt junior made his presence felt against Ole Miss and could cause some havoc in this game.

Kentucky has to win the trench battle in this contest. It’s one of their biggest advantages on paper. There is much on the offensive line but this is a game that UK’s defensive front should cause some issues. Humphrey-Grace has an advantageous matchup against both tackles and could be due for a big game.