After opening the season in a heavily delayed but exciting 31-0 victory over Southern Miss, the Kentucky Wildcats will turn their focus to conference play for week two.
Kentucky could not have had a more different start to its season than its first SEC opponent, of course with the exception of some lightning delays.
South Carolina struggled in its home opener against Old Dominion, defeating the team it paid $1.5 million to play by one score, 23-19.
It was a slow start offensively for the Gamecocks, who only returned a single starter from a season ago, with just 10 passing completions for 114 yards and no touchdowns.
“I mean, we started eight new guys on the offense Saturday, it was their first game in a Gamecock uniform… including two true freshmen,” South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said in a press conference Tuesday.
With a Kentucky defense that had no problem finding interceptions in its first game, this week will need to have more of an emphasis on rushing defense.
South Carolina’s finer offensive moments against Old Dominion came when true freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers or Raheim “Rocket” Sanders were running the ball, combining for 156 of the team’s 174 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“You got to be disciplined, you got to do your assignment and you got to be gap sound,” UK safety Zion Childress said about defending Sellers. “He’s a good athlete, he’s a good football player, (but) we a bunch of good football players too so we’re ready for that challenge.”
Despite a flawed offensive performance, the Gamecocks were kept in it by a stellar defensive showing led by freshman Dylan Stewart, who had 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his collegiate debut.
It was each of these fumbles that kept the Gamecocks’ hopes alive in fleeting moments, both occurring inside the Monarchs’ ten-yard line, setting the offense up in the red zone.
Stewart shared SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors with teammate Kyle Kennard, who tallied 2.5 sacks against the Monarchs. The pair are set to be the first real test for the Big Blue Wall this season.
Opposite of BBN, which stuck out a two-hour delay to cheer on the Cats in week one, Gamecock fans also faced criticism for booing the team after a 40-minute weather delay while trailing.
“(I’m) calling that home crowd to once again show up like they did last week and make a difference, we greatly appreciate them,” head coach Mark Stoops said Monday.
All in all, Kentucky is more experienced and simply has a better roster than South Carolina this season. With several returning starters, a future first round pick and a dedicated fan base, Kentucky surely has the tools it needs to beat a team that has shut it down in years past.
In a game that is a must win, especially considering the top ranked SEC opponents later down the line, Kentucky should have no problem handling business if South Carolina comes out as sluggish as it did against Old Dominion.
The Wildcats and the Gamecocks will face off on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 3:30 p.m. ET and will stream live on ABC.
