Kentucky vs. South Carolina football live updates: Gamecocks lead Cats 10-0 in SEC finale

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kentucky closes its 2023 regular season with consecutive road games.

The first tilt of that tandem is at South Carolina.

The Wildcats couldn’t have gotten off to a better start this fall: They were 5-0 as the calendar flipped to October. It’s been a slog since then, though, as Mark Stoops’ group is just 1-4 in its past five outings.

But Kentucky still is in a better spot than USC: While the Wildcats are heading to a bowl for the eighth straight season, the Gamecocks must win tonight and next week against Clemson to reach six victories.

South Carolina’s defense hasn’t hit upon a winning formula through 10 games; it ranks among the bottom three of the SEC in scoring defense, total defense and passing yards allowed (where it’s the worst in the 14-team conference).

But Kentucky’s defense will have its own problems to fret about. Most notably in the form of USC signal caller Spencer Rattler. He’s thrown for 2,867 yards and 17 touchdowns (against seven interceptions) on 240-of-340 passing (70.6%) this season.

And Rattler’s on another level at home.

In five games in Columbia this fall, he’s completed 80.1% (121 for 151) of his attempts for 1,696 yards, 15 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

The Courier Journal’s Ryan Black is at Williams-Brice Stadium and will have live updates throughout the game — here and on X — and complete coverage after. You can follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

South Carolina 10, Kentucky 0 (1Q, 0:13)

Gamecock kicker Mitch Jeter converts on a 23-yard field goal to push the hosts’ lead to 10 just before the end of the opening period.

South Carolina 7, Kentucky 0 (1Q, 7:27)

Spencer Rattler finds his top threat, Xavier Legette, in the end zone for a 13-yard score. It capped an 11-play, 69-yard drive.

Kentucky football injury update

UK tight end Jordan Dingle suffered an injury earlier this week, first reported by Aaron Gershon of The Cats’ Pause. Dingle is not dressed out for tonight’s game. After sitting out last week versus Alabama, Wildcat running back JuTahn McClain went through pregame warmups and is available for Saturday’s game.

Kentucky vs. South Carolina football pregame reading

UK vs. South Carolina gameday guide: Can Wildcats beat Gamecocks again?

Kentucky vs. USC matchup look: Story lines, key players, odds, more

Last time out: What we learned about Wildcats in 49-21 loss to Alabama

C.L. Brown: It’s not that Kentucky football is losing. Cats haven’t competed against SEC’s best

Where does UK football go from here?: With 3 games left, offense hasn’t delivered as expected

UK football recruiting: Cats land one of program’s highest-ranked commits ever in Brian Robinson

C.L. Brown: UK basketball’s energy vs Stonehill matched Kansas game. A good sign for Cats

2024 recruiting: John Calipari, Cats have 4 commitments in nation’s second-best class

‘I’m not changing’: Will John Calipari going all-in on freshmen pay off for UK in 2023-24?

How to watch Kentucky vs. South Carolina football game

Who: Kentucky (6-4, 3-4 SEC) at South Carolina (4-6, 2-5)

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina

TV: SEC Network

Radio: Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jeff Piecoro (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington and online at UKAthletics.com. The game also will be carried on satellite radio: Sirius (Channel 138), XM (Channel 190) and the SiriusXM app (Channel 961).

Streaming: Authenticated subscribers can access SEC Network via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.