Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. South Carolina
Info to Know
| Kentucky vs. South Carolina | When: Sat., Sept. 7, 3:30 p.m. ET | Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky. | TV: ABC | Radio: UK Sports Network |
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Preview
After opening the 2024 season with a weather-shortened 31-0 win over Southern Miss last week, Kentucky returns to action again on Saturday, hosting Southeastern Conference rival South Carolina at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (kickoff at 3:45) on ABC.
The Gamecocks have beaten the Cats the last two seasons, including a 17-14 triumph in Columbia last season. Kentucky last beat South Carolina in 2021, a 16-10 win in Columbia. The Cats rushed for 230 yards in the game and got stellar play defensively.
Cat Scratches: White Looking for Defensive Improvement Against South Carolina
The Kentucky defense held Southern Miss scoreless in UK’s 31-0 season-opening win on Saturday. While the shutout is nice, Kentucky defensive coordinator found plenty of things that his unit still needs to improve on before Saturday’s contest against South Carolina.
“You think about it all,” White said. “As coaches, we think about the ones that we really need to improve on, the missed opportunities.”
One thing that White really liked was, when the Golden Eagles appeared to be ready to put points on the board, the UK defense stepped up with an interception by JQ Hardaway…Read More
Kentucky vs. South Carolina
The Series
• Kentucky trails the meetings with South Carolina, 20-13-1, including, 9-8, in Lexington, in a series that began in 1937.
• The two teams began their annual matchup in 1992.
• The Wildcats have won seven of the past 10 meetings but the Gamecocks have won each of the past two.
• South Carolina defeated Kentucky, 17-14, in Columbia last season.
• It has been a series of streaks for the two teams. South Carolina won 10 straight and 13-of14 from 2000-13 before Kentucky won 7-of-8 between 2014-21.
Note: The series record does not include vacated UK win from 2021.
The Ties
• Kentucky offensive line coach Eric Wolford was South Carolina’s offensive line coach in 2009 and 2017-20.
A Kentucky Win Would…
• Extend head coach Mark Stoops’ all-time school records for overall wins (65), home wins (46) and Southeastern Conference wins (31).
• Improve his on-field record against South Carolina to 9-3.
• Be its fourth straight on-field win in the Southeastern Conference opener, which UK hasn’t accomplished since 1976-79.
• Be its seventh on-field win in the conference opener in 10 seasons (2015-pres.).
By the Numbers
3
Quarterbacks that UK center Eli Cox has played with during his time as a starter at UK (Will Levis, Devin Leary and, on Saturday, Brock Vandagriff)
5
Career interceptions for both Maxwell Hairston and Jordan Lovett, the most for any player on the current UK roster
10
Interception returns for a touchdown for Kentucky since 2020, tied for the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision over that span
26
Consecutive games with a tackle for UK outside linebacker J.J. Weaver
27
Consecutive games with a reception for UK wide receiver Barion Brown
51
Career games played for UK defensive back Zion Childress, the most for any current UK player
