Tim Couch

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Anthony Wright threw three touchdown passes, two to Jermalekelly, and South Carolina blocked a key field goal attempt inthe fourth quarter to defeat Kentucky, 38-24, in theSoutheastern Conference East Division.

Boo Williams carried 24 times for 93 yards for South Carolina,which erased an early double-digit deficit to improve to 3-3overall and win for the first time in four SEC games thisseason.

Kentucky (3-3, 1-3 SEC East), which upset Alabama for one of thebiggest wins in school history last week, trailed 31-24 infourth quarter and was deep in Gamecock territory. Lee Wigginsblocked Seth Hanson’s short field goal attempt and SouthCarolina took over at the 16. Wiggins has eight career blockedkicks.

Wright then moved the Gamecocks downfield and capped the drivewith a 26-yard touchdown pass to Kelly that gave the Gamecocks a14-point lead.

Wright, who completed 15-of-27 passes for 223 yards without aninterception, connected on another 26-yard touchdown pass toKelly with 39 seconds left in the third quarter for a 31-24lead.

Kentucky scored two touchdowns in a span of less than twominutes to take a 14-0 lead after one quarter. Tim Couch threwa two-yard scoring pass to Anthony White and, after the Wildcatsdefense held, Craig Yeast returned a punt 85 yards to the endzone.

Couch completed 31-of-46 passes for 294 yards.

The first 9 1/2 minutes of the second quarter belonged to theGamecocks. Troy Hambrick scored on a 17-yard run, Wright threwa 12-yard TD pass to Kerry Hood and safety Arturo Freemanintercepted a pass from Couch and went 47 yards for the score togive South Carolina its first lead at 21-14.

Less than two minutes after throwing the interception, Couchthrew a 31-yard touchdown pass to Yeast. Steve Florio kicked a40-yard field goal with nine seconds left in the second quarterto give the Gamecocks a 24-21 halftime lead.

Hanson tied the game at 24-24 with a 23-yard field goal early inthe third quarter.