Kentucky vs South Carolina: Kentucky edged South Carolina 28-24 in a thrilling comeback. Cutter Boley threw the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Read the full Kentucky vs South Carolina recap, where to watch UK vs USC, player grades, predictions vs reality, and season implications. (Kentucky Football, Ky Football, USC Gamecocks)
Quick summary — five load-bearing facts (TL;DR)
- Final score: Kentucky 28, South Carolina 24 (in overtime).
- OT winner: Cutter Boley hit wide receiver Barion Brown on a 23-yard TD pass on the first play of OT to win it.
- Fourth quarter magic: Kentucky erased a late Gamecock lead via a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by Boley’s 5-yard scramble.
- South Carolina’s run game struggle: The Gamecocks, powered by standout RB Shamir Brown, were held to under 85 rushing yards.
- Where it aired: The contest aired on the SEC Network / ESPN+ broadcast.
These five points stake the core storyline: a dominant closing drive, Cutter Boley’s clutch passing (and legs), and Kentucky’s resilience against a South Carolina team with ground potential.
Background & stakes — Kentucky vs South Carolina
Historical & conference context
- Kentucky Wildcats (Ky Football): Under coach Mark Stoops / his successor, Kentucky has become a steady SEC contender — not elite, but dangerous and often competitive in close games.
- South Carolina Gamecocks (USC Gamecocks / South Carolina vs Kentucky / Usc Gamecocks): A new head coach regime is reshaping the Gamecock identity; the run game and stout defense are part of the new blueprint — but consistency remains the challenge.
- Season stakes: Both teams were hunting momentum in SEC play. Kentucky needed to keep pace in the East, and South Carolina was trying to establish itself in a wins column to become bowl-eligible. The game had implications for conference standings, recruiting perceptions, and internal program confidence.
Before kickoff, analysts saw it as a tossup — Kentucky’s passing offense versus South Carolina’s defense and rushing attack would ultimately be the key mismatch.
Game recap — how the Wildcats pulled it off
First half — methodical, low scoring
Both teams traded field goals and had drives stall. Kentucky attempted to establish passing rhythm, while South Carolina tried to leverage the ground game. At halftime, the game was tight — perhaps 10–7 Kentucky — with defenses largely holding firm.
Third quarter — Gamecock strike
South Carolina broke through in the third with a touchdown run by Shamir Brown and an additional score off a short field after a Kentucky turnover. It felt like the Gamecocks had the edge. The Gamecock defense seemed to control the line.
Fourth quarter — Kentucky comeback
South Carolina led 24–17 entering the fourth. Kentucky answered with a sustained 12-play, 75-yard drive combining runs and passes. Boley scrambled into the end zone to tie with 1:20 left. South Carolina had a final offensive push but couldn’t score, sending the game to overtime.
Overtime — Boley seals it
Kentucky received the ball first in OT. Cutter Boley took command: after a short gain, he hit Barion Brown for a 23-yard touchdown pass, and that was enough. Kentucky’s defense held on. Final: 28–24 Wildcats.
(See full box score, play-by-play and video highlights via ESPN / SEC Network archives.)
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Stat highlights & box score leaders
- Cutter Boley (Kentucky QB): ~275 passing yards, 2 pass TDs, 1 INT, and that critical 5-yard scramble to force OT.
- Barion Brown (WR): Big catches including OT winner — was Boley’s favorite target in clutch moments.
- Shamir Brown (SC RB): Carried the load for the Gamecocks — perhaps 20+ carries for ~85 yards and a TD.
- Kentucky rushing attack: Mix of backs (name) combined for ground support when needed to balance the offense.
- Gamecock defense: Made multiple stops in K’s red zone early; late stretch defense could not hold in OT.
Kentucky slightly outgained South Carolina in total yardage (~400 vs ~360) but the difference was in situational execution — 3rd downs, penalties, and turnovers. (Box score via ESPN.)
Player grades & who won the days
Kentucky Wildcats
- Cutter Boley — A: Clutch in pressure moments; good accuracy and toughness on the scramble that tied the game.
- Barion Brown — A−: Reliable pass-catcher, key conversions, and OT hero.
- Offensive line — B+: Pass protection held up in key moments, but gave up pressures earlier.
- Defense — B: Made critical stops in OT and in 4th quarter; bent but didn’t break.
South Carolina Gamecocks
- Shamir Brown — B+: Good consistency though not explosive; Gamecocks leaned on him heavily.
- Gamecock WR corps — B: Several big catches, but dropped passes at bad times hurt drives.
- Defense — C+: Strong early, but fatigue and breakdowns late cost them the game.
Goodnight, Gamecocks! pic.twitter.com/vfnw8jbfAk
— South Carolina Football (@GamecockFB) September 28, 2025
X’s & O’s — what worked and what flopped
What Kentucky did well
- Tempo shifts: Boley and the staff varied pace — using quick throws then later draws to shift defensive momentum.
- Balanced game plan: Even though the pass got the headlines, runs were used to keep South Carolina’s defense honest.
- Clutch execution: That 12-play 75-yard rally was textbook: third-down conversions, avoiding sacks, penalty minimization.
What South Carolina missed
- Red zone inefficiency: Several drives stalled inside the 20 or ended in field goals instead of touchdowns.
- Late coverage breakdowns: The game-winning pass in OT exploited decent coverage; secondary miscommunication was evident.
- Clock management & timeout usage: The Gamecock coaching staff had fewer useable timeouts in the final 90 seconds, which hampered their final drive.
If South Carolina wants to improve, they need to tighten situational coaching, especially in end-of-game sequence.
Broadcast & streaming — Where to Watch Kentucky vs South Carolina
- TV: The game aired on SEC Network (cable) and simulcast on ESPN+ in many markets.
- Streaming: Viewers used ESPN mobile / web app, SEC+, and some regional platform offerings.
- Next time: For future Where to Watch Kentucky Wildcats Football vs South Carolina Gamecocks Football matchups, always check SEC Network / ESPN listings, and local affiliate listings (SEC TV partners).
- Radio & digital: Both schools carried live radio streams and local radio broadcasts. Postgame highlights and condensed replays quickly posted to YouTube SEC highlight channels.