By Annie Dunbar

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UK’s defensive “Bad Boys” have shown improvement time and time again this season. But the squad made crucial strides in Saturday’s showdown with SEC foe South Carolina that proved they can battle adversity.

The Gamecocks started off the game running all over UK’s defense, scoring its first touchdown in 19 plays. South Carolina’s run game wouldn’t end there, USC tallied 282 total rushing yards. 183 of those yards belonged to tailback Mike Davis who the Wildcats could not stop. Davis had 23 carried and scored three touchdowns for the Gamecocks.

But the run game wasn’t UK’s only struggle. The Cats’ missed tackles and had poor execution on multiple plays all of which frustrated UK head coach Mark Stoops.

“There were some things that and I was really getting angry because I give credit where credit is due,” Stoops said. “They did some really good things and there’s some things we need to play better. Quit looking around for guys to make plays; you make a play.  That’s where I started challenging them. … Somebody dig in and make a play.” 

The defense answered Stoops’ challenge in the fourth quarter with a game changing play.

With just under three minutes left in the game, Jojo Kemp took a direct snap out of the Wildcat formation and ran the ball into the endzone to not only score a touchdown but to tie the game at 38. Following the solid offensive drive, the “Bad Boys” had one mission, get a stop and get the ball back. Seniors Mike Douglas and Bud Dupree tag teamed the game winning play. Douglas tipped South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson’s pass, Dupree snagged it out of the air and ran it into the endzone for the touchdown.

“It’s still hard to take in,” Dupree said. “That one play really changed the game.”

After struggling throughout the majority of the game, the defense came in clutch when the Cats’ needed them the most.

“When it came to crunch time, we had our teammates backs,” Douglas said. “A lot of time we let the offense down but I’m just glad they gave us one more opportunity to go out there. We bowed up when it counted most.”

Even with Stoops’ frustration throughout the game, he was very pleased with the way his team finished the game.

“I think just I feel very proud of the whole group and all the work that we put in,” Stoops said. “And it was emotional. I felt overwhelmed at times when I was on that field. It happened so quick. I was frustrated a lot of the night. But just very grateful, I think, is the thing that comes to mind and appreciate the guys in that locker room.”