Kentucky football’s offense struggles again in loss to South Carolina
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Game day: South Carolina 17, Kentucky 14
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Kentucky football’s season of offensive inconsistency continued with arguably its most troubling performance yet in a 17-14 loss to South Carolina.
The Gamecocks entered the day ranked 106th nationally in total defense (413.6 yards per game) and 93rd in scoring defense (28.6) but held Kentucky to 296 yards. Quarterback Devin Leary completed 17 of 35 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown, one interception and one lost fumble. The passing attack was particularly ineffective on deep balls with Leary and receivers missing on multiple opportunities where the South Carolina defender had appeared to be beaten.
The Wildcats opened the game with a three-and-out before South Carolina marched down the field for an 11-play, 69-yard touchdown drive at the end of which Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler found star wide receiver Xavier Legette wide-open in the end zone for the game’s first score.
Another Kentucky three-and-out followed during which Kentucky actually lost 12 yards to give South Carolina possession near midfield. This time the UK defense managed a red zone stop to limit the Gamecocks to a 23-yard field goal and 10-0 lead.
Kentucky’s offense finally found some momentum on its third drive with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a 7-yard pass from Leary to Barion Brown. That success proved short lived though as the offense turned on its next two drives before the half with a Leary interception in the end zone and a Dane Key fumble.
The UK defense kept the game close despite the offensive miscues, stopping seven consecutive South Carolina third down attempts starting with the goal line stand on the second drive. The Wildcats took their first lead on their first possession of the second half with a 31-yard touchdown run from Ray Davis that featured a highlight-worthy spin move. The go-ahead drive had been extended earlier by a hands-to-the-face penalty against South Carolina on what would have been a failed third-down attempt.
South Carolina finally broke through on its first drive of the fourth quarter, gaining 74 yards on nine plays for the go-ahead touchdown.
Kentucky had one last chance to win the game, receiving the ball near midfield with just more than two minutes remaining and only needing a field goal to send the game to overtime, but Leary was hit as he attempted a pass on the first play of the drive and the ball was deflected into the arms South Carolina defender Tonka Hemingway.
Turning point
The UK defense’s streak of seven consecutive third down stops ended on South Carolina’s first drive of the fourth quarter when Rattler found a wide-open Legette for a 28-yard gain on third-and-15. Seven plays later the duo connected on another third down conversion, this one for a 17-yard touchdown pass and a 17-14 South Carolina lead.
MVP: Xavier Legette
One of two SEC players averaging at least 100 receiving yards per game entering the day, Legette lived up to the hype and more, torching Kentucky for 94 yards on six catches with two touchdowns. On the go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, Legette caught three passes for 62 yards.
Key stat
Kentucky has not won a game in which it had to rally from at least a 10-point deficit since the 2019 Belk Bowl. For the second consecutive week, Kentucky found itself down by multiple scores before even recording a first down on offense.
Next game
Kentucky at No. 9 Louisville
When: Noon Saturday, Nov. 25
TV: ABC-36
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1
Records: Kentucky 6-5 (3-5 SEC), Louisville 10-1 (7-1 ACC)
Series: Kentucky leads 19-15
Last meeting: Kentucky won 26-13 on Nov. 26, 2022, in Lexington
This story was originally published November 18, 2023 at 10:53 PM.
