Kentucky vs. South Carolina: By the Numbers

The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally almost here. The new 16-team era of the SEC begins when Kentucky hosts South Carolina at Kroger Field. Before the action begins at 3:45 pm EST on ABC, take in a few last-minute stats, facts, and numbers you need to know about this highly-anticipated matchup.

-6 — Kentucky’s turnover margin in three meetings against Shane Beamer.

0 — Third down conversions allowed by the Kentucky defense after the second Southern Miss drive. The Golden Eagles converted on just 3-of-9 attempts on third and fourth down a year after finishing ranked in the 100s in third down defense.

2 — True freshmen earned starting assignments in week one for the South Carolina offense, including left tackle Josiah Thompson.

3 — Straight years in which Barion Brown recorded a touchdown in the season-opener. He’s the first Kentucky Wildcat to do so since Marc Logan in 1985-86.

4 — Different coaching stints for Eric Wolford at South Carolina and Kentucky. He spent one season with Steve Spurrier in 2009. He was the offensive line coach at South Carolina from 2017-20 before joining Mark Stoops’ staff in 2021. He returned to Lexington this spring after two years at Alabama.

5 — Sacks by South Carolina in week one. Kyle Kennard and former five-star prospect Dylan Stewart combined for four sacks.

6 — Straight loss for South Carolina in SEC openers. Kentucky has won five of its last six SEC openers.

9 — Complete passes by LaNorris Sellers in week one. He scrambled seven times and was sacked four times while connecting with his pass-catchers on 43% of his attempts.

10 — Kentucky interceptions have been returned for touchdowns since 2020, tied for the most among any FBS program. Maxwell Hairston had two in one game last fall against Vanderbilt. The cornerback and Jordan Lovett each have five career picks, the most by any active Wildcat.

11.1 — Projected margin of victory for Kentucky, according to ESPN’s SP+.

14 — Carries by Kentucky running backs in week one. The QB and WRs combined for 10 rushing attempts in the abbreviated game.

18 — Points are the most scored by the team who lost over the last eight meetings in this series. The under is 8-1 in the last nine meetings between Kentucky and South Carolina. This week’s total is 42.5.

19 — Kentucky first downs in only 44 snaps against Southern Miss. The Wildcats moved the chains once every 2.3 plays.

27 — Straight games with a reception for Kentucky’s Barion Brown.

51 — Career games played by Zion Childress, the most of any active Kentucky Wildcat, even more than seventh-year senior OL Marques Cox.

56 — Rushing attempts by South Carolina in its week one 23-19 win over Old Dominion, the most rushing attempts in a game for the Gamecocks since 2016.

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