South Carolina beat Kentucky by maximizing scoring opportunities

Finishing drives can separate the winners from losers in college football. When a possession crosses the defense’s 40-yard line, the team that maximizes scoring opportunities will likely win the game.

South Carolina scored 17 points in four scoring opportunities. Kentucky scored 14 points in four scoring opportunities. Add in that three of Kentucky’s turnovers occurred on South Carolina’s side of the field, and it’s easy to see why Shane Beamer‘s team left Williams-Brice Stadium victorious in Week 12.

Bad interception

Trailing 10-7, Kentucky got the ball back at their own 30 with 9:26 left in the second quarter and put together one of their best drives of the game. A 21-yard scamper by Ramon Jefferson got the drive started before a late hit by South Carolina’s Debo Williams on a Devin Leary scramble moved the ball inside the South Carolina 30.

Another effective run from Jefferson would create a red zone possession. Leary would re-enter the game only make a very bad decision on second down.

We'll take that 😤🤙 pic.twitter.com/6f59bLyXYg

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 19, 2023

The quarterback attempts to force the football into a well-covered Izayah Cummings on a corner route. The play ends in an interception. That turnover took at least three points off the board. Kentucky lost the game by three points.

Kentucky’s Middle 8 fumble

After a consecutive three-and-out for the Kentucky defense in the second quarter, the offense would get the ball back on their own 42 with 3:31 left in the second quarter. Liam Coen‘s offense got a huge opportunity to land a haymaker in a Middle 8 possession before the half.

On third down, Devin Leary extended the drive by hitting Dane Key. The wide receiver would then get loose in the secondary. The Wildcats were likely going to be in field goal range bare minimum in just a couple of snaps but the sophomore wideout could not hold onto the football.

The second turnover also likely took at least three points off the board. Kentucky went into halftime trailing 10-7 and left somewhere between 6-14 points on the field. That would end up looming large at the end of the game.

Xavier Legette finishes a drive

Xavier Legette will find himself on an All-SEC team at the end of the season and will likely be an early Day 2 pick at the 2024 NFL Draft. The super senior wideout is one of the best pass catchers in this conference. South Carolina labors on offense when he is not involved.

After six consecutive drives ended in a punt, South Carolina got their star involved in their first possession of the fourth quarter.

A 28-yard reception on third-and-five by Legette got the drive started. After an illegal blindside block created a second-and-26 at the Kentucky 34, Spencer Rattler immediately looked for his No. 1 option.

Legette gained 17 yards on a run-and-catch on second down. That would set the table for South Carolina’s biggest play of the game.

Let's gooooooooooooooo 🤙 https://t.co/Zjys3aSLPh pic.twitter.com/df7VmqmiNK

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 19, 2023

South Carolina creates a clean pocket for Rattler and that gives Legette enough time to get open. The home team’s best playmaker then climbs the ladder to score the game-deciding touchdown.

Xavier Legette might be South Carolina’s best player. He showed up when his team needed him the most.