South Carolina vs. Kentucky, recap and final score: Offense, run D fails Gamecocks in 17-10 loss

The Gamecocks entered Commonwealth Stadium with a chance to match their win total from last year, but failed to get much going on the scoreboard as they fell to Kentucky, 17-10, in their third straight loss to the Wildcats.

Both teams spun their wheels offensively to start the game. But Kentucky struck first with a 30-yard field goal just 45 seconds into the second quarter. However, the Gamecocks found the end zone with 5:44 left on a 12-yard A.J. Turner run, set up by a nice 30-yard Hayden Hurst reception, to make it 10-7.

Kentucky came out of the locker room after halftime and attacked with a steady diet of run plays that the Gamecocks failed to stop - but again, it didn’t lead to points. Meanwhile, Elliott Fry’s 35-yarder tied it at 10 with :19 left in the 3rd. Poor run defense eventually led to a Wildcats touchdown as they ran it eleven straight times - ending with a Benny Snell one-yard score with 10:21 left in the 4th to put Kentucky up for good.

Despite the offensive struggles, the Gamecocks were able to sack Stephen Johnson four times. But they allowed four sacks of their own and gave up over 150 yards on the ground in the final 30 minutes. While Kentucky didn’t come close to the 62 points they put up on New Mexico State a week prior, they allowed just 10 points after giving up 44, 45 and 42 in their first three games.

Brandon McIlwain was 15-30 for 177 yards, but managed 11 yards on 13 attempts. Hayden Hurst stood out and led all receivers with seven catches and 84 yards. The Gamecocks couldn’t get the running game going again as they recorded just 91 yards, but, again, gave up a good bit on the ground (216 yards, 157 of those coming in the 2nd half).

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