Defense guides South Carolina to 35-13 victory over Kentucky
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- — South Carolina’s defense returned two turnovers for touchdowns within a span of three plays on Saturday night and the Gamecocks beat Kentucky, 35-13.The Wildcats (2-2, 0-2 SEC) were gashing South Carolina with the run and held a 10-7 lead in the second quarter. Quarterback Cutter Boley was sacked by Dylan Stewart, the ball popped loose and defensive lineman Jatius Geer retrieved it, chugging 40 yards for a touchdown.
Two plays later, Boley cast into the secondary but his pass clanged off the hands of Kendrick Law. South Carolina’s Gerald Kilgore gobbled the carom and sprinted 45 yards to the end zone.
“Obviously when you score twice on defense, you’re going to be really hard to beat,” coach Shane Beamer said. “We didn’t just want to win the turnover battle, we wanted to dominate it.”
Trailing 21-10, the Wildcats tried to get their offense back in gear. Boley again threw deep but was belted by Desmond Umeozulu on the throw.
South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse intercepted to start another touchdown drive. The Gamecocks (3-2, 1-2) added another touchdown in the fourth quarter while Kentucky only managed a field goal after its quick 10-0 start.
Kentucky: Boley was leaning on his running game and it looked like the answer early. The turnovers dug him a hole he couldn’t escape, especially as the Gamecocks’ pass-rushing elevated (six sacks).
Nyck Harbor had stretched his arms out in the “T” signal that told the kicking team that USC was going to fair-catch it. Even though Harbor didn’t touch the ball, because he signaled it, it covered the entire team.
The rule changed this year. In the Citrus Bowl last year, the Gamecocks signaled the “T” and then returned the kick anyway, which was later the impetus for a brouhaha between Beamer and Illinois coach Bret Bielema.
It has become unofficially known as “The Shane Beamer Rule.”
The fan, Sellers said, was his grandfather, who was seated directly behind the rail next to the hedges that border the field. “I saw it, I saw everything that happened,” Sellers said.
Sellers said his grandfather was good afterward.
McGowan was not penalized during the game.
Kentucky: The Wildcats are at No. 5 Georgia on Oct. 4.
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