The Wildcats would strike first thanks to the defense. Deep in South Carolina territory, the Gamecocks had the ball when Jordan Jones forced a fumble and fell on it for the recovery. UK received two false start penalties that backed them up and they had to settle for a 29 yard field goal from Miles Butler for the 3-0 lead.
South Carolina would answer with a 13 play drive for 72 yards but also had to settle for a 29 yard field goal.
The Wildcats would put together its own drive but wouldn’t settle for anything less than a touchdown. Benny Snell, Jr. had a 14 yard gain that would help him cross 3,000 for his career. He passed Rafael Little for 3rd place on the UK All-time career yardage list. Terry Wilson would finish with a one yard touchdown. 10-3 UK takes the lead.
After a 3rd down stop by the defense, the UK offense went to the air. Terry Wilson hit C.J. Conrad for a 17 yard gain, then found Dorian Baker for a 20 yard pick up. After two tough runs by A.J. Rose, he had another that went for 24 yards and the touchdown. 17-3 UK in the lead.
The UK defense again went to work and Derrick Baity picked off Jake Bentley. Wilson would find David Bouvier for a 21 yard gain and then run on a broken play for 13 more. Snell would finish with a 1 yard touchdown run, the 40th of his career. UK leading 24-3.
That was the score at the half. Snell had 78 yards while Wilson was 8-11 for 84 yards.
Kentucky got the ball to start the second half and drove downfield but had to settle for a field goal attempt that Miles Butler missed from 43 yards.
South Carolina took advantage with a short 4 play drive that was finished as Jake Bentley hit Deebo Samuel for a 58 yard touchdown. South Carolina cut the UK lead to 24-10.
A good news, bad news moment happened midway through the third quarter when Darius West intercepted a pass. On the run back, Kash Daniel was called for targeting and ejected from the game. That also means he has to sit out the first half against Texas A&M next Saturday.
UK was driving to start the third quarter when they received a holding call and hands to the face to back them up 3rd and 40. Terry Wilson was intercepted at South Carolina’s own 9 yard line.
The Gamecocks took a long drive and, in a way to help Kentucky, ran off a lot of time. Then, a backwards pass was fumbled and UK’s, DeAndre Square picked fell on it with 3:59 remaining. But, a review said it was a forward pass and the Gamecocks kept the ball. Mike Edwards would intercept the ball on the next play.
Josh Allen also had two sacks giving him 19 and a-half for his career. That moves him past Dennis Johnson for 3rd on the All-Time Sacks list.