Kentucky offense drops egg in 17-14 loss to South Carolina

Spencer Rattler passed for only 207 yards on 7.7 yards per attempt. The South rushing attack produced only 76 non-sack rushing yards on 2.5 yards per pop. Kentucky’s defense gave their football team multiple opportunities to win the game at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Liam Coen’s offense could not hold up its end of the bargain.

In the latest loss to Shane Beamer’s South Carolina program, multiple offensive blunders led to a third loss in SEC play when the game was within one possession in the fourth quarter. This one will be tough to bounce back from.

Turnovers lose games

In Kentucky’s last trip to South Carolina, Liam Coen‘s offense had three turnovers but survived for a 16-10 win thanks to a dominant rushing performance and some stout defense. The Wildcats were unable to survive tonight.

A Devin Leary red zone interception took away points in the second quarter with Kentucky trailing 10-7. A Dane Key fumble after a huge game took away at least a field goal opportunity in the Middle 8. Then the biggest one of the night occurred in the fourth quarter with the game in the balance.

Carolina ball!!! pic.twitter.com/TywQKtI4r4

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 19, 2023

After a strong punt from Wilson Berry and a quick three-and-out from the Kentucky defense, the offense got the ball back at midfield. On first down, Leary looks to hit on a shot play, and a quick edge pressure from the left side of the offensive line leads to a fumble.

Kentucky’s defense would even give the offense another chance after that interception but that drive would end in a turnover on downs. The Wildcats are simply not good enough to overcome three turnovers in 11 non-kneel possessions. Coen’s unit played losing football in Week 12.

Missed winning opportunities in the second half

Despite a very bad start that saw Kentucky’s offense lead off the game with consecutive three-and-out possessions that led directly to South Carolina taking an early 10-0 lead, Kentucky bounced back. The Wildcats immediately cut the lead to 10-7 and then took control of the game with a 92-yard touchdown drive in their first possession of the third quarter to take a 14-10 lead.

The Wildcats would get two more possessions with the team holding a 14-10 lead. Liam Coen’s offense was unable to land a knockout punch.

A holding call by Josh Kattus took a first down off the board and immediately led to a drive stalling out. On the next possession, two runs by Ramon Jefferson got Kentucky rolling, but three consecutive incompletions from Devin Leary ended the drive.

South Carolina would then take the lead. Kentucky’s offense would get three more possessions in the game but would never get the ball past midfield. The offense let the team down on Saturday night.