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South Carolina Football: 3 takeaways from win over Kentucky

By Shelbie Warr

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 28: Ryan Hilinski #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates with fans following the South Carolina Gamecocks win over the Kentucky Wildcats 42-7 at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 28: Ryan Hilinski #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates with fans following the South Carolina Gamecocks win over the Kentucky Wildcats 42-7 at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 21: Kelly Bryant #7 of the Missouri Tigers runs on a scramble into T.J. Brunson #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 21: Kelly Bryant #7 of the Missouri Tigers runs on a scramble into T.J. Brunson #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

1. South Carolina’s defense was key in this game

Overall, I’d like to say Kentucky’s defense did okay. They held South Carolina to one score per quarter, but couldn’t do enough to bail out an injured quarterback who was doing his best to hold it all together. On that note though, South Carolina’s defense came to play and to be sure that the streak of losing to Kentucky ended tonight at home.

Yes, Sawyer Smith was injured and that caused some balls to come out of his hand awkwardly, be under or overthrown and just overall be off-target. That doesn’t take away from this body of work though. The Wildcats had 115 rush yards and 97 pass yards. They turned the ball over once and just overall couldn’t get much going. Part of that may be an injured quarterback, but you have to give credit where credit is due.

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The South Carolina defense was physical and backed up what they were able to put up with the run game as two guys ran for over 100 yards. Ryan Hilinski wasn’t great and didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but he didn’t need to because his defense kept the other team off-kilter and his run game backed him up when it came down to it.