The Final Prep: Previewing Kentucky vs. South Carolina

Saturday night in Columbia sets the stage for two schools already fighting to flip momentum around their football programs. South Carolina has stumbled out of the gate with back-to-back SEC losses, struggling to find the end zone despite the presence of talented quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks will be under pressure at home to stop the slide and avoid falling deeper into the conference standings.

On the Kentucky side, Mark Stoops hands the keys to freshman Cutter Boley for his first career road start. The Wildcats are still looking for answers offensively, and the hope is that Boley can provide a spark in a primetime atmosphere. He looked good against Eastern Michigan before the bye.

Both teams enter winless in SEC play, making this 7:45 p.m. kickoff on the SEC Network a crucial opportunity to inject some life into their seasons. Let’s get ready for the Cats at Williams-Brice in an old SEC East rivalry game.

---

Check out Rhoback’s Kentucky Game Day collection. New customers use code KSR for 20% off. Interested in having your brand featured alongside KSR’s postseason coverage? It’s not too late! Email [email protected] to request more information.

---

Pregame Storylines

1. Boley’s First Road Start: Second-year quarterback Cutter Boley gets his first taste as the starting QB in a hostile SEC environment on Saturday night. He played in the second half at Florida and Texas as a freshman, and how he handles the atmosphere as “the guy” at Williams-Brice will go a long way in determining Kentucky’s chances.
2. South Carolina’s Offensive Struggles: Despite having talented quarterback LaNorris Sellers, the Gamecocks have dropped two straight SEC games and struggled to find the end zone offensively. Their ability to run the ball and finish drives is a major question mark heading into Week 4.
3. Beamer Ball: The Gamecocks lean into special teams as a weapon, like Beamers do. With former NFL special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis in charge, be on guard for aggressive punt block attempts, fake punts, and dynamic returns. Their punt averages and coverage schemes force you to watch every kick.
4. Turnover War: Takeaways can flip any game, but they’ve been essential in this rivalry. South Carolina flipped the series by flipping the turnover margin three years ago.
5. Must-Win Feel: Both teams enter winless in conference play, raising the stakes in an already high-stakes rivalry. Often, this game decides the course of each team’s season. A victory here could inject momentum into seasons that are already in doubt.

How To Watch/Listen to Kentucky at South Carolina

• Kickoff: 7:45 p.m.
• TV: SEC Network (Tom Jart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic)
• Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro, Dick Gabriel)
• AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
• FM: 98.1 WBUL
• Online: iHeart Radio
• Sirius XM: 374 (UK)

Player Spotlight

• Kentucky QB, #8 Cutter Boley: As we’ve mentioned many times, the freshman gets his first career road start under the lights in Columbia. After flashing potential against a MAC school, Boley’s poise and decision-making will be tested in one of the SEC’s loudest environments.
• Kentucky RB, #3 Seth McGowan: With six rushing touchdowns already, McGowan has been Kentucky’s most reliable option on the ground through three weeks. His ability to churn out tough yards will be critical in helping take pressure off a young quarterback.
• Kentucky S, #14 Ty Bryant: Bryant had two takeaways against Ole Miss. He, or someone on Kentucky’s defense, will need to force South Carolina into turnovers for the Wildcats to have a shot.
• South Carolina QB, #16 Lanorris Sellers: Sellers is a dynamic athlete with a big arm and the ability to beat defenses with his legs. His offense hasn’t found much rhythm in SEC play yet this season, but he remains the Gamecocks’ best chance to break out offensively.
• South Carolina PR, #4 Vicari Swain: Swain has returned seven punts so far this season, and three of them have gone to the house for touchdowns. He’s a special teams WEAPON.
• South Carolina LB, #6 Dylan Stewart: Stewart wrecked Kentucky and everyone else as a true freshman last year. Now in his sophomore season, he remains one of the best edge rushers in college football. He has 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and 14 pressures in four games.

Uniform Watch

Kentucky will wear its icy all-whites for the first road game of 2025.

Depth Charts

KENTUCKY

SOUTH CAROLINA

Injury Reports

KENTUCKY

• DL Nic Smith: Out
• WR David Washington Jr.: Out
• WR Preston Bowman: Out
• RB Jamarion Wilcox: Out
• TE Elijah Brown: Out
• CB DJ Waller Jr.: Out
• QB Zach Calzada: Questionable
• OL Aba Selm: Questionable

SOUTH CAROLINA

• OL Cason Henry: Out
• OL Nolan Hay: Out
• DB Buddy Mack III: Doubtful
• DL Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy: Probable
• DB Judge Collier: Probable

Last Meeting / All-Time Series

In Week 2 of last season, South Carolina rolled past Kentucky 31–6 in Lexington, dealing the Wildcats a sobering SEC opener. A double-digit underdog, the Gamecocks relied on Sellers, who threw two touchdown passes and helped the offense churn out 252 total yards, while their defense smothered Kentucky’s passing attack, limiting them to only 44 yards and adding an interception return touchdown to pile on.

Kentucky’s running game showed some life with 139, but turnovers, penalties, and significant pressure along the offensive line derailed new OC Bush Hamdan’s offense. It was a disappointing afternoon at Kroger Field, as South Carolina’s third straight win in the series came after Kentucky had won seven of eight from 2014 to 2021.

All-time series: South Carolina leads 21-14-1

2025 Team Schedules/Results

Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC)

• vs. Toledo (W, 24-16)
• vs. (20) Ole Miss. (L, 30-23)
• vs. Eastern Michigan (W, 48-23)
• at South Carolina
• at (5) Georgia
• vs. (10) Texas
• vs. (15) Tennessee
• at Auburn
• vs. Florida
• vs. Tennessee Tech
• at (18) Vanderbilt
• at Louisville

South Carolina (2-2, 0-2 SEC)

• vs. Virginia Tech (W, 24-11)
• vs. SC State (W, 38-10)
• vs. Vanderbilt (L, 31-7)
• @ (23) Missouri (L, 29-20)
• vs. Kentucky
• @ (4) LSU
• vs. (7) Oklahoma
• vs. (17) Alabama
• @ (13) Ole Miss
• @ (9) Texas A&M
• vs. Coastal Carolina
• vs. Clemson

Join The Discussion over at KSBoard

Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard if you want to interact with the KSR crew during the game. A live discussion can be found in the game thread, plus several other topics and conversations about the Wildcats and more.

Point Spread

Point Spread: South Carolina -6
Over/Under: 47.5
Moneyline: SC -220/UK +180

Coaches’ Comments

Mark Stoops

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

Shane Beamer

Pregame Link Dump

• Bio Blast: South Carolina Gamecocks
• Shane Beamer on winless SEC start ahead of Kentucky: ‘We are not where we need to be.’
• KSR Football Podcast: Swing Game at South Carolina
• WATCH: Cutter Boley Confident in Kentucky’s Plan at South Carolina
• WATCH: Brad White, Kentucky defense looks to respond against South Carolina
• Mark Stoops sees similarities between 2016 and 2025 rosters for Kentucky Football
• ‘That place is incredible’: Williams-Brice Stadium atmosphere will be big challenge for Kentucky
• Strong Supporting Cast is What Cutter Boley Needs at South Carolina
• Shane Beamer’s “Plan to Win” Exposes South Carolina Run Game Weaknesses
• Shane Beamer on winless SEC start ahead of Kentucky: ‘We are not where we need to be.’
• Shane Beamer believes Kentucky has improved: “There’s a lot that impresses me”
• Where Kentucky stands in the FBS Rankings ahead of the South Carolina game
• Herald-Leader goes in-depth on Willie Rodriguez’s relationship with sister Gabby
• How Kentucky and South Carolina stack up in latest SEC Power Rankings
• Beamer Ball: South Carolina Special Teams Off to a BLAZING Hot Start
• ‘We got our hands full’: LaNorris Sellers has Kentucky’s full attention
• South Carolina is Preparing for a Slugfest against Kentucky
• Rebuilt Kentucky Offensive Line Prepared for South Carolina Pass Rush
• UNIFORMS: Kentucky will be quite ICY in the Sandstorm at South Carolina

Weather Report

At last check, Williams-Brice Stadium could face a heavy thunderstorm or a couple of rain showers for Saturday’s game. The high is 83, the low is 68. It could be a washout.

Listen to the KSR Pregame Show

Be sure to tune in to the KSR Pregame Show at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, live from KSBar & Grille. Even better, be at KSBar & Grille before, during, or after the game.

Go Cats.