KENTUCKY, USA — South Carolina (3-2, 0-2 SEC) at No. 13 Kentucky (4-1, 1-1), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC)
Line: Kentucky favored by 6 according to FanDuel.com Sportsbook.
Series: South Carolina leads 18-14-1.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
South Carolina returns from a 50-10 rout of South Carolina State on Sept. 29 seeking its first SEC win along with ending a two-game losing streak against Kentucky. The host Wildcats look to recover from last week's mistake-marred 22-19 loss at No. 14 Mississippi, where they missed on three kicking opportunities and committed two red-zone turnovers late. They seek a third consecutive series win against the Gamecocks.
TOP MATCHUP
Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler vs. Wildcats' pass defense. The Oklahoma transfer ranks sixth among SEC quarterbacks with 224.2 yards per game and has completed 65% of his passes for 1,121 yards and four touchdowns. He has also thrown a league-high seven interceptions and must go against a Kentucky secondary allowing opponents a 51% completion rate and 173.6 yards per game. The Wildcats have intercepted four passes and returned two for touchdowns.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
South Carolina: RB MarShawn Lloyd shares the SEC lead with six rushing TDs and ranks seventh with 324 yards on 53 carries. Over his past two games, he has carried 26 times for 249 yards and four TDs. He also has 13 catches for 118 yards and two scores. The redshirt sophomore missed the 2020 season with a knee injury but rushed for 228 yards and a score on 64 carries last fall.
Kentucky: WR Barion Brown has been a dangerous kick returner and is coming off a huge game against Ole Miss that vaulted him into the national lead. He returned three kickoffs for 164 of his 245 all-purpose yards, including an 85-yarder to set up an early touchdown. He also caught two passes for 81 yards with a 51-yard catch-and-run putting the Wildcats in scoring position on their final possession. He leads the FBS in kick return yardage at 47.7 yards per attempt.
FACTS AND FIGURES
South Carolina's SEC losses have come at No. 16 Arkansas (44-30) and top-ranked Georgia (48-7). ... The Gamecocks lead FBS with four blocked punts and are second with four blocked kicks. ... They seek their first three-game winning streak since beating Arkansas, Tennessee and Vanderbilt in 2017. ... The defense has recorded 23 quarterback hurries and four sacks. ... Kentucky receiver Tayvion Robinson has caught a pass in 31 consecutive games including his time at Virginia Tech. ... Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. debuted with 72 yards and a TD on 19 carries and 80 yards from fifth place on the school's all-time list. He has 2,812.
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