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Kentucky at South Carolina

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Kentucky beat South Carolina 16–⁠10. It was their 33rd meeting; after it, South Carolina led the series 18–⁠14–⁠1 as played.

AwayKentucky10–⁠3 in 2021 (0–⁠3 official)
16
HomeSouth Carolina7–⁠6 in 2021
10

Final at Williams-Brice Stadium, ColumbiaTV: ESPN2Attendance 77,559

At kickoff
76°F, a few clouds, calmWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Columbia Owens Downtown Airport (KCUB), 2 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Official
Justin AutreyGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Kentucky733316
South Carolina007310

Standouts

Player stats

Kentucky

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Will Levis15/2210201
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Chris Rodriguez Jr.26144013
Kavosiey Smoke950115
Will Levis530018
Wan’Dale Robinson1505
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Wan’Dale Robinson765017
Brenden Bates115015
Josh Ali41404
Chris Rodriguez Jr.2504
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
DeAndre Square8000
Carrington Valentine4110
Tyrell Ajian4000
Yusuf Corker4000
Jacquez Jones4000
J.J. Weaver2110

South Carolina

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Luke Doty17/2515810
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Kevin Harris1238010
Juju McDowell51306
Luke Doty8407
MarShawn Lloyd1303
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Jalen Brooks463130
Nick Muse125025
Josh Vann316011
Juju McDowell216012
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Jaylan Foster12001
Brad Johnson110.500
R.J. Roderick10000
Damani Staley9000

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

KentuckySouth Carolina
332Total yards216
102Passing yards158
230Rushing yards58
4.6Yards per pass6.3
5.2Yards per rush2.2
22First downs12
6–⁠12Third downs3–⁠12
0–⁠0Fourth downs0–⁠3
3Turnovers0
4–⁠29Penalties5–⁠45
35:36Possession24:24
2Sacks (by defense)0

Efficiency

KentuckySouth Carolina
47%Success rate37%
−0.03EPA per play−0.26
0.66Explosiveness0.89
−0.05Rushing EPA−0.45
0.00Passing EPA−0.09
46%Passing-down success19%
−0.32First-down EPA−0.04
0.20Second-down EPA−0.12
0.30Third-down EPA0.14
14%Havoc by its defense17%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Kentucky 60% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Kentucky −4.5, over/under 49.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Kentucky 62%, South Carolina 38%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

South Carolina end zoneKentucky end zoneQ1 KentuckyTouchdown, 12 playsQ1 South CarolinaPunt, 3 playsQ1 KentuckyPunt, 4 playsQ1 South CarolinaPunt, 7 playsQ1 KentuckyPunt, 4 playsQ2 South CarolinaPunt, 3 playsQ2 KentuckyPunt, 3 playsQ2 South CarolinaTurnover on downs, 4 playsQ2 KentuckyInterception, 3 playsQ2 South CarolinaPunt, 6 playsQ2 KentuckyField goal, 10 playsQ3 South CarolinaTouchdown, 10 playsQ3 KentuckyField goal, 13 playsQ3 South CarolinaPunt, 5 playsQ3 KentuckyFumble, 1 playQ3 South CarolinaTurnover on downs, 5 playsQ4 KentuckyFumble, 4 playsQ4 South CarolinaTurnover on downs, 4 playsQ4 KentuckyField goal, 9 playsQ4 South CarolinaField goal, 5 playsQ4 KentuckyEnd of game, 6 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. South Carolina drives left to right, Kentucky right to left.
  1. Q1 KentuckyTouchdown, 12 plays, 75 yards
  2. Q1 South CarolinaPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  3. Q1 KentuckyPunt, 4 plays, 23 yards
  4. Q1 South CarolinaPunt, 7 plays, 23 yards
  5. Q1 KentuckyPunt, 4 plays, 8 yards
  6. Q2 South CarolinaPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  7. Q2 KentuckyPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  8. Q2 South CarolinaTurnover on downs, 4 plays, 9 yards
  9. Q2 KentuckyInterception, 3 plays, 12 yards
  10. Q2 South CarolinaPunt, 6 plays, 37 yards
  11. Q2 KentuckyField goal, 10 plays, 17 yards
  12. Q3 South CarolinaTouchdown, 10 plays, 75 yards
  13. Q3 KentuckyField goal, 13 plays, 72 yards
  14. Q3 South CarolinaPunt, 5 plays, 1 yard
  15. Q3 KentuckyFumble, 1 play, 0 yards
  16. Q3 South CarolinaTurnover on downs, 5 plays, 15 yards
  17. Q4 KentuckyFumble, 4 plays, 13 yards
  18. Q4 South CarolinaTurnover on downs, 4 plays, 7 yards
  19. Q4 KentuckyField goal, 9 plays, 51 yards
  20. Q4 South CarolinaField goal, 5 plays, 39 yards
  21. Q4 KentuckyEnd of game, 6 plays, 30 yards

Play by play

1st quarter5 drives, then Kentucky 7, South Carolina 0
Kentucky Touchdown, 12 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Mitch Jeter kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:361st & 10 at own 25Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 10 yds to the Kent 35 for a 1ST down
14:251st & 10 at own 35Wan’Dale Robinson run for 5 yds to the Kent 40
13:412nd & 5 at own 40Will Levis pass complete to Chris Rodriguez Jr. for 4 yds to the Kent 44
13:253rd & 1 at own 44KENTUCKY Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Kent 39
13:223rd & 6 at own 39SOUTH CAROLINA Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the Kent 44
12:573rd & 1 at own 44Will Levis run for 2 yds to the Kent 46 for a 1ST down
12:231st & 10 at own 46Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 11 yds to the SCaro 43 for a 1ST down
11:521st & 10 at opp 43Will Levis pass incomplete
11:322nd & 10 at opp 43Kavosiey Smoke run for 8 yds to the SCaro 35
10:523rd & 2 at opp 35Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 10 yds to the SCaro 25 for a 1ST down
10:301st & 10 at opp 25Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 4 yds to the SCaro 21
9:512nd & 6 at opp 21Will Levis pass complete to Josh Ali for 3 yds to the SCaro 18
9:003rd & 3 at opp 18Will Levis pass complete to Josh Ali for 3 yds to the SCaro 15 for a 1ST down
8:271st & 10 at opp 15Kavosiey Smoke run for 15 yds for a TD (Matt Ruffolo KICK)Kentucky 7, South Carolina 0
South Carolina Punt, 3 plays
8:271st & 10 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:071st & 10 at own 25Kevin Harris run for 6 yds to the SCaro 31
7:202nd & 4 at own 31Kevin Harris run for 1 yd to the SCaro 32
6:323rd & 3 at own 32Luke Doty pass complete to Kevin Harris for no gain to the SCaro 32
6:184th & 3 at own 32Kai Kroeger punt for 51 yds, fair catch by Josh Ali at the Kent 17
Kentucky Punt, 4 plays
6:061st & 10 at own 17Will Levis pass complete to Brenden Bates for 15 yds to the Kent 32 for a 1ST down
5:411st & 10 at own 32Will Levis pass complete to Josh Ali for 4 yds to the Kent 36
5:182nd & 6 at own 36Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 3 yds to the Kent 39
4:103rd & 3 at own 39Will Levis pass complete to Chris Rodriguez Jr. for 1 yd to the Kent 40
3:554th & 2 at own 40Colin Goodfellow punt for 42 yds, fair catch by Josh Vann at the SCaro 18
South Carolina Punt, 7 plays
3:481st & 10 at own 18Luke Doty pass complete to Juju McDowell for 12 yds to the SCaro 30 for a 1ST down
3:131st & 10 at own 30Kevin Harris run for 5 yds to the SCaro 35
2:452nd & 5 at own 35Luke Doty pass complete to Juju McDowell for 4 yds to the SCaro 39
2:213rd & 1 at own 39Juju McDowell run for 4 yds to the SCaro 43 for a 1ST down
2:211st & 10 at own 43Timeout KENTUCKY, clock 02:21
2:151st & 10 at own 43Luke Doty pass incomplete to Josh Vann
1:452nd & 10 at own 43Juju McDowell run for 3 yds to the SCaro 46
1:123rd & 7 at own 46Luke Doty sacked by J.J. Weaver for a loss of 5 yards to the SCaro 41
0:454th & 12 at own 41Kai Kroeger punt for 56 yds, downed at the Kent 3
Kentucky Punt, 4 plays
0:101st & 10 at own 3Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for no gain to the Kent 3 Chris Rodriguez Jr. fumbled, forced by Carlins Platel, recovered by Kent
Q2 14:302nd & 10 at own 3Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 4 yds to the Kent 7
Q2 14:252nd & 9 at own 4Timeout KENTUCKY, clock 14:25
Q2 14:002nd & 9 at own 4Will Levis pass complete to Wan’Dale Robinson for 4 yds to the Kent 8
Q2 13:213rd & 5 at own 8Will Levis run for 3 yds to the Kent 11
Q2 13:074th & 2 at own 11Colin Goodfellow punt for 40 yds , Josh Vann returns for 7 yds to the Kent 44
2nd quarter6 drives, then Kentucky 10, South Carolina 0
South Carolina Punt, 3 plays
12:301st & 10 at opp 44Kevin Harris run for 2 yds to the Kent 42
12:102nd & 8 at opp 42Kevin Harris run for 1 yd to the Kent 41
11:423rd & 7 at opp 41Luke Doty pass complete to Josh Vann for 1 yd to the Kent 40
11:134th & 6 at opp 40Kai Kroeger punt for 30 yds, fair catch by Josh Ali at the Kent 10
Kentucky Punt, 3 plays
10:531st & 10 at own 10Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 6 yds to the Kent 16
10:302nd & 4 at own 16Will Levis pass incomplete to Justin Rigg
10:243rd & 4 at own 16Will Levis pass incomplete
10:174th & 4 at own 16Colin Goodfellow punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Josh Vann at the SCaro 44
South Carolina Turnover on downs, 4 plays
10:001st & 10 at own 44Juju McDowell run for 6 yds to the 50 yard line
9:362nd & 4 at the 50Juju McDowell run for 3 yds to the Kent 47
8:513rd & 1 at opp 47Kevin Harris run for no gain to the Kent 47
8:154th & 1 at opp 47Kevin Harris run for no gain to the Kent 47
Kentucky Interception, 3 plays
8:081st & 10 at own 47Will Levis pass incomplete to Justin Rigg
7:592nd & 10 at own 47Will Levis pass complete to Wan’Dale Robinson for 12 yds to the SCaro 41 for a 1ST down
7:221st & 10 at opp 41Will Levis pass intercepted Jaylan Foster return for a loss of 1 yard to the SCaro 1
South Carolina Punt, 6 plays
7:161st & 10 at own 1Luke Doty pass incomplete to Jalen Brooks
7:082nd & 10 at own 1Luke Doty pass complete to Kevin Harris for 19 yds to the SCaro 20 for a 1ST down
6:341st & 10 at own 20Luke Doty pass complete to Rico Powers for 10 yds to the SCaro 30 for a 1ST down
6:041st & 10 at own 30Kevin Harris run for 5 yds to the SCaro 35
5:252nd & 5 at own 35MarShawn Lloyd run for 3 yds to the SCaro 38
4:463rd & 2 at own 38Luke Doty pass incomplete to Jaheim Bell
4:394th & 2 at own 38Kai Kroeger punt for 44 yds, fair catch by Josh Ali at the Kent 18
Kentucky Field goal, 10 plays
4:271st & 10 at own 18Kavosiey Smoke run for 4 yds to the Kent 22
3:382nd & 6 at own 22Kavosiey Smoke run for 5 yds to the Kent 27
3:293rd & 1 at own 27Will Levis run for 3 yds to the Kent 30 for a 1ST down
2:501st & 10 at own 30Will Levis pass complete to Wan’Dale Robinson for 11 yds to the Kent 41 for a 1ST down
2:151st & 10 at own 41Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for no gain to the Kent 41
1:572nd & 10 at own 41SOUTH CAROLINA Penalty, Defensive Pass Interference (15 Yards) to the SCaro 44 for a 1ST down
1:201st & 10 at opp 44Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 5 yds to the SCaro 39
0:592nd & 5 at opp 39SOUTH CAROLINA Penalty, Defensive Holding (10 Yards) to the SCaro 29 for a 1ST down
0:341st & 10 at opp 29KENTUCKY Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the SCaro 39
0:301st & 20 at opp 39Will Levis pass complete to Kavosiey Smoke for 3 yds to the SCaro 36
0:182nd & 17 at opp 36Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 11 yds to the SCaro 25
0:033rd & 6 at opp 25Will Levis pass incomplete
0:004th & 6 at opp 25Matt Ruffolo 43 yd FG GOODKentucky 10, South Carolina 0
3rd quarter4 drives, then Kentucky 13, South Carolina 7
South Carolina Touchdown, 10 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:551st & 10 at own 25Luke Doty run for 4 yds to the SCaro 29
14:232nd & 6 at own 29Luke Doty run for 2 yds to the SCaro 31
13:403rd & 4 at own 31Luke Doty pass complete to Josh Vann for 4 yds to the SCaro 35 for a 1ST down
13:231st & 10 at own 35Luke Doty pass incomplete to Jaheim Bell
13:092nd & 10 at own 35Luke Doty pass complete to Jalen Brooks for 17 yds to the Kent 48 for a 1ST down
12:351st & 10 at opp 48Kevin Harris run for 7 yds to the Kent 41
12:102nd & 3 at opp 41Kevin Harris run for no gain to the Kent 41
11:563rd & 3 at opp 41Luke Doty pass complete to Nick Muse for 25 yds to the Kent 16 for a 1ST down
11:221st & 10 at opp 16Timeout SOUTH CAROLINA, clock 11:22
11:161st & 10 at opp 16Luke Doty pass complete to Josh Vann for 11 yds to the Kent 5 for a 1ST down
10:521st & goal at opp 5Luke Doty pass complete to Jalen Brooks for 5 yds for a TD (Parker White KICK)Kentucky 10, South Carolina 7
Kentucky Field goal, 13 plays
10:521st & 10 at own 35Mitch Jeter kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:411st & 10 at own 25SOUTH CAROLINA Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the Kent 30
10:301st & 10 at own 30Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for a loss of 2 yards to the Kent 28
10:302nd & 12 at own 28Will Levis pass complete to Wan’Dale Robinson for 13 yds to the Kent 41 for a 1ST down
8:451st & 10 at own 41Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 2 yds to the Kent 43
8:002nd & 8 at own 43Will Levis pass complete to Wan’Dale Robinson for 17 yds to the SCaro 40 for a 1ST down
7:001st & 10 at opp 40Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 3 yds to the SCaro 37 Chris Rodriguez Jr. fumbled, recovered by Kent
6:002nd & 7 at opp 37Will Levis run for 18 yds to the SCaro 19 for a 1ST down
5:151st & 10 at opp 19Will Levis run for 4 yds to the SCaro 15
4:452nd & 6 at opp 15Kavosiey Smoke run for 2 yds to the SCaro 13
4:003rd & 4 at opp 13Will Levis pass complete to Wan’Dale Robinson for 9 yds to the SCaro 4 for a 1ST down
4:001st & goal at opp 4Will Levis pass complete to Wan’Dale Robinson for a loss of 1 yard to the SCaro 5
3:452nd & goal at opp 5Kavosiey Smoke run for 2 yds to the SCaro 3
3:453rd & goal at opp 3Will Levis pass incomplete
3:434th & goal at opp 3Matt Ruffolo 21 yd FG GOODKentucky 13, South Carolina 7
South Carolina Punt, 5 plays
3:434th & 9 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds , Juju McDowell return for 19 yds to the SCaro 19
3:221st & 10 at own 19Kevin Harris run for 1 yd to the SCaro 20
3:102nd & 9 at own 20Luke Doty pass complete to Jalen Brooks for 11 yds to the SCaro 31 for a 1ST down
2:301st & 10 at own 31Luke Doty run for a loss of 4 yards to the SCaro 27
2:192nd & 14 at own 27Luke Doty pass incomplete to Jalen Brooks
1:463rd & 14 at own 27Luke Doty sacked by Carrington Valentine for a loss of 7 yards to the SCaro 20
1:324th & 21 at own 20Kai Kroeger punt for 33 yds, downed at the Kent 47
1:231st & 10 at own 47Josh Ali run for a loss of 7 yards to the Kent 40 Josh Ali fumbled, forced by David Spaulding, recovered by SCaro Brad Johnson
South Carolina Turnover on downs, 5 plays
1:051st & 10 at opp 40Kevin Harris run for 10 yds to the Kent 30 for a 1ST down
0:411st & 10 at opp 30SOUTH CAROLINA Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the Kent 40
0:161st & 20 at opp 40Luke Doty pass complete to Kevin Harris for no gain to the Kent 40
Q4 14:292nd & 20 at opp 40Luke Doty pass complete to Rico Powers for 2 yds to the Kent 38
Q4 13:563rd & 18 at opp 38Luke Doty pass complete to E.J. Jenkins for 13 yds to the Kent 25
Q4 13:334th & 5 at opp 25Luke Doty pass incomplete to Jalen Brooks
4th quarter5 drives, then Kentucky 16, South Carolina 10
Kentucky Fumble, 4 plays
13:141st & 10 at own 25Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 8 yds to the Kent 33
12:522nd & 2 at own 33Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 3 yds to the Kent 36 for a 1ST down
12:001st & 10 at own 36Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 2 yds to the Kent 38
11:322nd & 8 at own 38Josh Ali run for 9 yds to the Kent 47 Josh Ali fumbled, forced by R.J. Roderick, recovered by SCaro Kingsley Enagbare
South Carolina Turnover on downs, 4 plays
11:241st & 10 at opp 47Juju McDowell run for a loss of 3 yards to the 50 yard line
11:002nd & 13 at the 50Luke Doty run for 3 yds to the Kent 47
10:223rd & 10 at opp 47Luke Doty run for 7 yds to the Kent 40
9:434th & 3 at opp 40Luke Doty pass incomplete to Dakereon Joyner
Kentucky Field goal, 9 plays
9:331st & 10 at own 40Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 4 yds to the Kent 44
9:002nd & 6 at own 44Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 13 yds to the SCaro 43 for a 1ST down
8:151st & 10 at opp 43Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 11 yds to the SCaro 32 for a 1ST down
7:311st & 10 at opp 32Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 5 yds to the SCaro 27
6:482nd & 5 at opp 27Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 10 yds to the SCaro 17 for a 1ST down
6:271st & 10 at opp 17Kavosiey Smoke run for 5 yds to the SCaro 12
5:452nd & 5 at opp 12Kavosiey Smoke run for a loss of 1 yard to the SCaro 13
4:573rd & 6 at opp 13Will Levis pass complete to Josh Ali for 4 yds to the SCaro 9
4:264th & 2 at opp 9Matt Ruffolo 27 yd FG GOODKentucky 16, South Carolina 7
South Carolina Field goal, 5 plays
4:264th & 2 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
4:171st & 10 at own 25Luke Doty pass complete to Jalen Brooks for 30 yds to the Kent 45 for a 1ST down
3:591st & 10 at opp 45KENTUCKY Penalty, Defensive Pass Interference (11 Yards) to the Kent 34 for a 1ST down
3:401st & 10 at opp 34Luke Doty pass complete to Kevin Harris for a loss of 6 yards to the Kent 40
3:252nd & 16 at opp 40Luke Doty pass incomplete to Jalen Brooks
3:003rd & 16 at opp 40Luke Doty run for 4 yds to the Kent 36
2:314th & 12 at opp 36Parker White 54 yd FG GOODKentucky 16, South Carolina 10
Kentucky End of game, 6 plays
2:314th & 12 at own 35Mitch Jeter kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
2:151st & 10 at own 25Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 9 yds to the Kent 34
1:302nd & 1 at own 34Kavosiey Smoke run for 10 yds to the Kent 44 for a 1ST down
0:571st & 10 at own 44Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 4 yds to the Kent 48
0:572nd & 6 at own 48Timeout SOUTH CAROLINA, clock 00:57
0:522nd & 6 at own 48Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 4 yds to the SCaro 48
0:523rd & 2 at opp 48Timeout SOUTH CAROLINA, clock 00:52
0:523rd & 2 at opp 48Timeout KENTUCKY, clock 00:52
0:333rd & 2 at opp 48Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 4 yds to the SCaro 44 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at opp 44TEAM run for a loss of 1 yard to the SCaro 45

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Kentucky–South Carolina game

Officially, South Carolina leads 22–⁠14–⁠1; as played, 22–⁠15–⁠1 in 38 meetings, counting the five since this game.

The NCAA later vacated Kentucky’s win in this game; it doesn’t count in the official series.

Recent meetings
2026Kentucky 35, South Carolina 34
2025South Carolina 35, Kentucky 13
2024South Carolina 31, Kentucky 6
2023South Carolina 17, Kentucky 14
2022South Carolina 24, Kentucky 14
2021Kentucky 16, South Carolina 10

Around this game

Kentucky

South Carolina

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 4