No. 24 Kentucky football did not look its best in the first half against South Alabama, but the Wildcats took a 24-21 lead into halftime thanks to a two-minute stretch that featured a rushing touchdown, an interception, and a field goal just before the break.
The second half was a complete 180, as Kentucky shut out South Alabama and pulled away for a 45-21 victory, and the victory improved Kentucky to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play. Now, the Wildcats will take on a struggling South Carolina team
on the road.
The last time Kentucky was on the road, the Wildcats defeated then-No. 9 Texas A&M, 31-21, in College Station. The victory showed how strong Kentucky’s defense can be while also giving quarterback Kenny Minchey an opportunity to show what he can become as he continues to develop under first-year head coach Will Stein.
South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2, 0-2)
The Shane Beamer era is facing increased pressure in Columbia, as South Carolina enters the matchup on a seven-game SEC losing streak. The Gamecocks’ last SEC victory came against Kentucky on Sept. 27, 2025, when South Carolina defeated the Wildcats 35-13.
South Carolina opened the 2026 season with a dominant 57-0 victory over Kent State, but the Gamecocks have since struggled against SEC competition.
South Carolina lost 41-34 at home to Mississippi State before falling to Alabama 49-18 on the road this past weekend. The loss to Alabama dropped the Gamecocks to 0-2 in SEC play.
Now, Kentucky comes to Columbia, making this a potentially significant game for Beamer and the Gamecocks.
Kentucky is also looking to snap a four-game losing streak against South Carolina. Doing so under Stein would give the Wildcats another significant road victory during his first season.
South Carolina will also be without star EDGE Dylan Stewart, who has been suspended indefinitely by Beamer and more than likely will not play against Kentucky. Stewart’s suspension came after the Gamecocks’ loss to Alabama, during which he threw a punch at Alabama tight end Josh Ford and had a heated interaction with South Carolina’s coaching staff.
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers remains one of South Carolina’s biggest offensive weapons. The dual-threat quarterback opened the season with 270 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Gamecocks’ win over Kent State.
Wide receiver Nyck Harbor is another player Kentucky will need to account for. Harbor returned to South Carolina for the 2026 season alongside Sellers and remains one of the team’s most important receiving threats.
Junior running back Matt Fuller is also a name to watch in the South Carolina backfield after showing his ability as both a runner and receiver.
- Game: Kentucky Football vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium — Columbia, South Carolina
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
- TV Channel Info: SEC Network will have the TV broadcast
- Online Streaming: WatchESPN
- Radio: UK Sports Network
- Opening Odds: Kentucky opens as a 2.5-point underdog, according to FanDuel. ESPN gives Kentucky a 42.1% chance of winning.
- My Early Prediction: Kentucky has already proven it can win on the road after defeating then-No. 9 Texas A&M. Why can’t the Wildcats do it again? South Carolina is on a seven-game SEC losing streak and will be without Stewart, while Kentucky enters the matchup ranked No. 24 in the AP Top 25 and coming off a dominant second half against South Alabama.
Kentucky also has plenty of motivation to snap its four-game losing streak against the Gamecocks. Why not us?
Final Score: Kentucky 34, South Carolina 27.
