Kentucky vs. South Carolina is the next major test for Will Stein as SEC play continues. After a strong start to the season and a statement SEC road win over the Texas A&M Aggies, the Kentucky Wildcats enter the matchup with confidence and plenty of momentum.
Kentucky has already shown it can win on the road in the SEC. Now, the Wildcats have another opportunity to prove their early success under Stein is more than just a hot start. Kenny Minchey will lead the Kentucky offense, and the South Carolina Gamecocks are missing defensive star Dylan Stewart. This matchup, therefore, could come down to which team controls the line of scrimmage and limits explosive plays.
The Wildcats’ offense is led by quarterback Kenny Minchey, who has completed 69 of 101 passes for 876 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception through four games. He has also brought an element of mobility to Stein’s offense.
Kentucky has several important pieces around him:
South Carolina is built around quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who has thrown for 833 yards and six touchdowns while adding 144 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Gamecocks also have a dangerous receiving threat in Nyck Harbor, who has 11 catches for 169 yards.
South Carolina’s rushing attack has been especially productive:
The Gamecocks have been the more productive offense statistically, averaging 499.3 total yards per game, while the Wildcats average 422.5. Kentucky has been efficient through the air, averaging 8.5 yards per pass attempt compared with South Carolina’s 7.2.
The Gamecocks have allowed only 95 rushing yards per game, so the Wildcats cannot assume their running game will automatically travel to Columbia. Kentucky needs Patterson, Baxter, and Barnes to stay efficient while giving Minchey manageable third downs.
The absence of Dylan Stewart also changes the matchup. The Wildcats’ won’t have to deal with one of South Carolina’s most disruptive defensive players, which could give Stein more opportunities to use tempo, play-action and quick throws.
The Gamecocks are averaging 262 rushing yards per game, compared with Kentucky’s 203.5. Fuller has already rushed for 384 yards, while Sellers adds another dimension as a quarterback who can hurt defenses with his legs. The Wildcats’ defensive front has to force South Carolina into obvious passing situations. If Sellers and Fuller consistently stay ahead of the chains, the Gamecocks can control possession and put pressure on the Wildcats’ defense.
Kentucky is not relying entirely on Minchey’s arm. The Wildcats have multiple running backs capable of producing explosive plays, including Jason Patterson, C.J. Baxter, and Jovantae Barnes. Patterson leads with 326 rushing yards and is averaging an impressive 8.2 yards per carry. Baxter has 313 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Barnes has added 98 yards on just 11 carries.
If South Carolina commits too many defenders to stopping Minchey and the passing game, Kentucky has enough talent in the backfield to make the Gamecocks pay. The Wildcats also need to establish the run because it will help Stein keep South Carolina’s pass rush from dictating the game.
One of the biggest developments heading into this game is the absence of Gamecock defensive star Dylan Stewart. Stewart was suspended following an incident during South Carolina’s loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. The SEC announced a one-game suspension after reviewing the incident. Stewart will miss the Kentucky game. That is a significant personnel loss for the Gamecocks.
Stewart has recorded 57 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks during his career. The Wildcats’ offensive line now has an opportunity to control the line of scrimmage. This doesn’t mean South Carolina suddenly becomes an easy defense to attack, but the Wildcats should be able to approach the game differently without having to account for Stewart.
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This is a much different Kentucky team than the one that entered the season with questions surrounding a first-year head coach. Stein has already produced an SEC road victory at Texas A&M, and the Wildcats followed that performance with a strong offensive showing against the South Alabama Jaguars.
Kentucky has shown balance, improved quarterback play, and an offense capable of producing explosive plays. The Wildcats should be able to attack a Gamecocks defense that will be without Stewart.
If Kentucky protects Minchey, runs the football effectively and forces Sellers to consistently beat the defense from the pocket, the Wildcats can stay in control of the game. The one key thing is this is another Kentucky vs South Carolina game in which you never know what will happen.
Kentucky Football Vs South Alabama: Wildcats Must Keep Momentum Rolling
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