COLUMBIA, S.C. – Just like he did against NC State, it took 13 seconds for Deebo Samuel to give South Carolina the lead over Kentucky. After UK avoided him as a return threat with a pop-up opening kickoff, quarterback Jake Bentley hit him on the first play from scrimmage for the 68-yard score. Just as in the opener against NC State, South Carolina was about to lead 7-0. And then it didn’t because Alexander Woznick missed the extra point.
That missed opportunity was a harbinger for South Carolina. When linebacker Skai Moore intercepted Stephen Johnson two plays later to set the Gamecocks up with great position at UK’s 39, South Carolina responded with a false-start penalty that led to them settling for a 52-yard field-goal attempt by Parker White, which was missed.