On Saturday South Carolina blew out Kentucky 54-3.
Breaking it Down…1st Quarter…South Carolina received the opening kickoff and fumbled it on the return. Kentucky recovered, made a first down and kicked a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead. The Gamecocks responded by marching down the field and taking the lead back 7-3. Quarterback Connor Shaw, making the second start of his career, completed 4 of 6 passes on the drive including a 20 yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery. Kentucky next went three and out. South Carolina had two penalties kill their next drive, and they had to punt without getting a first down. Kentucky tried a half back sweep pass, but Stephon Gilmore intercepted it. The offense moved the ball for two first downs before punting again. Victor Hampton then intercepted Kentucky on first down.
Read more after the break.
2nd Quarter…South Carolina punted to begin the second quarter. The defense made the Wildcats go three and out. The Gamecocks then came out, worked some new formations and drove the ball 55 yards in 7 plays. Connor Shaw’s second touchdown pass of the day was to Justice Cunningham from 11 yards out. The extra point was blocked, and the Gamecocks led 13-3. The Wildcats picked up a rare first down before punting again. South Carolina marched down the field, and Shaw found Jeffery again this time from 24 yards out to extend the lead to 20-3. The teams punted back and forth a few times. Kentucky had the ball at their own 20 with 31 seconds left in the half. Reginald Bowens forced a fumble that Devin Taylor recovered. The Gamecocks were unable to move the ball and missed a long field goal attempt.
3rd Quarter…Kentucky continued their offensive woes in the second half. On their first drive they went three and out. The Gamecocks then moved the ball 78 yards on 11 plays. Shaw hit Nick Jones on a post pattern from 25 yards away to stretch the lead to 27-3. For the second time in as many drives Kentucky went three and out. The Gamecocks made 3 first downs and made a field goal from 48 yards, making the score 30-3. Kentucky brought in a new quarterback who was promptly intercepted by C.C. Whitlock. The Gamecocks tacked on another field goal to make the score 33-3 at the end of the third.
4th Quarter…The UK replacement quarterback threw his second interception in as many attempts to D.J. Swearinger. USC drove to the Kentucky 4, but they couldn’t punch it in on fourth down. Kentucky couldn’t move the ball again and punted. Bruce Ellington came out in the wildcat formation and ran around the right side for a 61 yard touchdown. USC led 40-3. Kentucky finally made it’s first first down of the second half, but they then fumbled, and Byron Jerideau recovered at the UK 32. During the ensuing drive Marcus Lattimore and Connor Shaw were removed from the game to ovations. Andrew Clifford finished the drive and threw a touchdown to D.L. Moore. Carolina led 47-3. Kentucky made another first down, but they then had to punt. Dylan Thompson came in at quarterback, and he and Brandon Wilds marched the team down the field. Thompson ran it in from 8 yards out to cap the scoring at 54-3.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Kentucky | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| South Carolina | 7 | 13 | 13 | 21 | 54 |
Stars of the Game….Connor Shaw…26-39 (66.7%) 311 yds, 3 TD…Alshon Jeffery…6 receptions, 95 yards, 2 TD…Marcus Lattimore…22 rushes for 102 yards…Bruce Ellington…1 rush, 61 yards, TD, 3 receptions for 22 yards…
What to Take Away From the Game…This team may have found a quarterback. After consecutive weeks of poor quarterback play and disappointing offensive output, both problems appear to be solved with Connor Shaw. Of course, one game is not enough to assume that all the offensive woes are gone, but for one game the offense really seemed to be working well.
This is the kind of quarterback play many fans expected to see when they thought of how effective the offense could be. It wasn’t against Alabama or LSU, but Kentucky’s defense isn’t that bad. They are certainly better than that Auburn defense that held the team to 13 points a week ago.
Speaking of defenses, the Gamecocks came to play. They took the ball away 6 times and held a conference opponent under 100 yards for a second game this season. That is a smothering defense. If they continue to play like they have, they give USC a very good chance in every game left on the schedule.
This and That…South Carolina improved to 5-1 (3-1)…They are tied for the lead in the SEC East with Georgia at 3-1….USC is ranked #13 in the Coaches poll and #15 in the AP…Some team stats from Saturday:
| USC | UK | |
| 1st Downs | 32 | 6 |
| Total Yards | 639 | 96 |
| Possession | 38:37 | 21:23 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 6 |
| 3rd Downs | 9-18 (50%) | 2-13 (15%) |
Up Next…South Carolina travels to Starkville, Mississippi to play Mississippi State at 12:21 on SEC TV.
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