Kentucky Wildcats Fall to South Carolina Gamecocks

Columbia, SC, September 29, 2025

News Summary

The Kentucky Wildcats suffered a 35-13 defeat against the South Carolina Gamecocks in their first road game of the season. After a strong start with a touchdown by Seth McGowan, the Wildcats faltered, struggling with turnovers and a solid Gamecocks defense. Despite McGowan’s 112 rushing yards, the Wildcats’ record dropped to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC play. As they prepare for their next matchup against Georgia, Kentucky looks to address its offensive issues and regain momentum.

Columbia, SC – In their first road game of the season, the Kentucky Wildcats suffered a disappointing 35-13 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. The defeat marks Kentucky’s second consecutive loss in SEC play, lowering their record to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in conference games.

Early in the game, Kentucky appeared promising when running back Seth McGowan scored a 20-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Wildcats ahead 7-0. McGowan, who rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries, emerged as Kentucky’s standout player despite the loss. However, following his touchdown, McGowan accidentally hit South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ grandfather with the football during the celebration. Although the incident raised eyebrows, Sellers later confirmed that his grandfather was unharmed, and McGowan issued a public apology.

South Carolina quickly responded to Kentucky’s early lead, scoring a 12-yard touchdown by Rahsul Faison that put the Gamecocks in the lead. The Gamecocks capitalized on Kentucky’s mistakes, returning two of their turnovers for touchdowns in the second quarter. South Carolina’s strong defense was key, forcing Kentucky into four turnovers and registering six sacks, which contributed to a 28-10 lead at halftime.

As the second half progressed, Kentucky managed to add only a 42-yard field goal to their score, with South Carolina maintaining control of the game. The Gamecocks’ offense was effective, accumulating 178 rushing yards and demonstrating their prowess through LaNorris Sellers, who led the team with 81 rushing yards while also completing 11 of 14 passes for 154 yards.

The Wildcats entered the matchup with a strong record as road underdogs, having performed well under head coach Mark Stoops, especially against ranked opponents. Despite their reputation, Kentucky faced a tough challenge against the Gamecocks, who are now 3-2 this season and have secured their first SEC victory. With Kentucky set to face the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens next, their performance needs to improve to regain momentum in the season.

Key Statistics from the Game

• Final Score: Kentucky 13, South Carolina 35
• Kentucky’s Record: 2-2 overall, 0-2 SEC
• South Carolina’s Record: 3-2 overall, 1-1 SEC
• Seth McGowan’s Rushing Yards: 112 yards on 17 carries
• LaNorris Sellers’ Rushing Yards: 81 yards
• South Carolina’s Total Rushing Yards: 178 yards
• Turnovers: Kentucky 4 (2 returned for touchdowns by South Carolina)
• Quarterback Performance: LaNorris Sellers – 11 completions on 14 attempts for 154 yards

Looking Ahead

The Wildcats will prepare for their next matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs, who present another significant challenge. As Kentucky aims to rebound, the team will need to address the issues that contributed to their loss against South Carolina, particularly their turnover problems and offensive inefficiencies.

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Additional Resources

• On3: Seth McGowan Apologizes After Touchdown Celebration
• New York Post: Kentucky Running Back Hits QB’s Grandfather
• The State: South Carolina vs. Kentucky Coverage
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Kentucky Wildcats
• WDRB: South Carolina Undid Kentucky
• Google Search: Kentucky Wildcats Football

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