With 11:58 remaining in the 4th quarter, South Carolina’s kicker Ryan Succop made a forty two yard field goal to tie the game at 17. With the game tied and Kentucky’s offense being nonexistent, worry filled Commonwealth Stadium. Two offense and defensive sets later, the Cats faithful fears came to fruition. The Gamecock offense made the plays needed to in order to score a touchdown in the waining moments to squeak out with a narrow victory and send the Wildcats to 0-2 in conference play.
It was an ugly game from the opening gun. South Carolina’s starting quarterback Chris Smelly threw two interceptions and a fumble all in the first half. The tremendous mistakes, seemed uncostly however because Kentucky could not create any points off the turnovers.
Time and time again the Wildcats stalled and could not produce any spark on offense. Mike Hartline continued to struggle as he overthrew, underthrew and misthrew recieverx. A statistic that was the most telling of the Cats struggles was a 1 for 16 conversion mark on 3rd down. The lack of conversions continually gave the Cocks oppurtunities to get off the offensive downslide they too were on.
Following a dismal first drive in the second half, Steve Spurrier did as he has done so often in this season and pulled Smelly in favor of Stephen Garcia. Garcia gave the South Carolina offense a spark and a renewed sense of purpose. Garcia finished the game throwing 10 for 14 on 169 yards and a touchdown.
With the loss Kentucky now falls to 4-2 and 0-2 in the SEC. The offensive identity is one of little production and as today proves, it is too much to ask the defense to win the game, They simply cannot be on the field for a majority of a game and not let up any source of production…Arkansas will come to town next week and the Cats need this win in order to save the season.
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