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The Kentucky Wildcats escape Columbia with a win over the South Carolina Gamecocks thanks to a fantastic outing by the defense, 16-10.
The Kentucky offense came out swinging on the first possession, scoring a touchdown on the back of Kavosiey Smoke. After the first possession, the Wildcats’ offense sputtered, only putting up three field goals for the rest of the game.
The Kentucky defense was the star of the game, stuffing any South Carolina momentum following three Kentucky turnovers. They only allowed a Gamecocks touchdown on the opening drive of the second half.
The pass rush started slow, but picked up through the later half of the game. Kentucky also stopped the Gamecocks on two fourth down attempts, crucial for such a tight game.
Going into next week against Florida, ball security and offensive play MUST be a point of emphasis in practice. You will not beat a top-10 Florida team by turning the ball over three times and not establish a passing game.
Mark Stoops also picked up his 26th conference win tonight, passing Fran Curci for the most in UK history. Congrats to coach Stoops.
A win is a win and Kentucky heads back to Lexington for a date next week with the Florida Gators. Gear up, folks.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
A win's a win. That one makes us 4-0.#ForTheTeam pic.twitter.com/2QyxTAxurJ
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 26, 2021
But we did lol .
— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) September 26, 2021
Kentucky is 2-0 in the SEC for only the second time since 1975
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) September 26, 2021
Them boys ran hard tonight @_KS20_ @CROD_JR
— Mr SNELL YA LATER (@benny_snell) September 26, 2021
Kentucky has beaten South Carolina 7 out of the last 8 years.
— All Things Kentucky (@BBNWonka) September 26, 2021
There is NO DOUBT Kentucky is a better football program than South Carolina.
No doubt.
Kentucky has played ugly since Stoops has been there. Win on the road for Kentucky. Kentucky improves to 4-0 2-0 in SEC. Up next Florida in Lexington next week.
— SportsTalkSEC (@SportsTalk_SEC) September 26, 2021
Kentucky will have to be better next week if they want an upset.
shoutout UK defense!
— Jeff Badet (@JeffBadet__) September 26, 2021
Wan'Dale Robinson is running the Kentucky flag around the stadium. Road dubs are the best dubs.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) September 26, 2021
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) September 26, 2021
Me watching this game rn pic.twitter.com/Oq3DF2PPul
— Kash Daniel (@KashDaniel15) September 26, 2021
Kentucky’s offense heading back out to finish the game pic.twitter.com/3krWz7ttlW
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) September 26, 2021
Kentucky is playing Sandstorm in the locker room right now
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) September 26, 2021
(Via @MccallMarquan insta story) pic.twitter.com/NAR49zUTnz
Since giving up a TD on the opening drive of the second half, the UK defense has given up just 23 yards on 14 plays. Forced 1 punt and 2 turnovers on downs. Two of those SC possessions began in UK territory.
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) September 26, 2021
HAVE TO CLEAN IT UP. But 4-0 and we have CLEARLY not played our best ball. I’ll take it
— Nance. Mr Nance. (@Mr_Nance47) September 26, 2021
Just wanted to check in here. That's another win for Kentucky, right? https://t.co/EEZHj5DmCJ
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) September 26, 2021
Stoops on Chris Rodriguez's fumbles: "I can't make an excuse for him. He's played too much football to do that...but at the end of the game, I wanted him back in there. He once again iced the game for us."
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) September 26, 2021
Chris Rodriguez and Josh Ali gotta get the Darnell Jefferson treatment on campus this week. pic.twitter.com/nrqhaiGKCD
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) September 26, 2021
Since 2013:
— Terry Same Old UK Brown™️ (@TBrown_80) September 26, 2021
Spider-Men: 2 (Garfield, Holland)
S.Carolina football wins over Kentucky: 1#BBN
Ruffolo and the Kentucky defense. Those deserve team MVP awards for tonight.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) September 26, 2021
Me kicking the Power K to the curb pic.twitter.com/5KS5XA36dx
— Mitch Barnhart Burner (@KnoxvilleMitch) September 26, 2021
Kentucky has now …
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) September 26, 2021
Won 7 of 8 vs. South Carolina.
Won 6 of 7 vs. Missouri.
Won 6 of 7 vs. Vanderbilt.
Rungs have been climbed. The next month determines whether Stoops can carry them any higher.
BBN y’all know what time it is pack the house next Saturday. Go Big Blue.
— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) September 26, 2021
Final | Kentucky 16, South Carolina 10
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) September 26, 2021
Will Levis: 15-22, 102 yds, INT
Chris Rodriguez: 26 rush, 144 yds
Kavosiey Smoke: 9 rush, 50 yds, TD
Wan'Dale Robinson: 7 rec, 65 yds
Mark Stoops earns his 26th SEC victory, passing Fran Curci for the most in Kentucky football history.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) September 26, 2021
.@UKFootball is 4-0.
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) September 26, 2021
Big home games coming up, #BBN! Kroger Field is gonna be rocking #ForTheTeam
https://t.co/6nAWTIj7AA https://t.co/LZ3knHkqeI
Winning ugly > losing.
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) September 26, 2021
https://t.co/dngnx1Zltf pic.twitter.com/6ndfDRPeQK
— Jason Marcum (@marcum89) September 26, 2021
https://t.co/TLaX568b87 pic.twitter.com/U6gg77mcOl
— A Sea of Blue (@ASeaOfBlue) September 26, 2021
SEC road win!! Love my brothers!!!
— Joshua Paschal (@JPaschalx) September 26, 2021
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