South-Carolina
5 keys to victory vs. South Carolina
It’s a big week for the Kentucky Wildcats, who will host South Carolina at 3:30 PM ET today in the SEC opener for both programs.
The Gamecocks come into the game with a 1-0 record, but their win over Old Dominion was anything but impressive. Kentucky is currently an 8.5-point favorite, and a victory is crucial for setting up a successful season and potentially hosting College GameDay for the first time since 2007.
Here are the five keys to victory for the Cats this weekend:
1. Offensive Line Play
The offensive line struggled against Southern Miss last weekend, though their opponent did feature a potential NFL Draft pick on their defensive line. South Carolina, however, boasts two future draft picks: Dylan Stewart, a true freshman and former 5-star recruit who forced a fumble last weekend, and Kyle Kennard, who also forced a fumble in the red zone against ODU. For Kentucky to succeed, the offensive line—especially Gerald Mincey and Marques Cox—needs to deliver a strong performance.
2. Put Pressure on the Freshman QB
LaNorris Sellers, a redshirt freshman quarterback, appeared overwhelmed in the pocket against ODU. With Kentucky’s defensive line strength, this game is huge for J.J. Weaver and Deone Walker. I expect that Kentucky’s defense will apply significant pressure, potentially leading to a pick-six. Brad White is one of the greatest defensive minds in College Football, and this will show that off to the country.
3. Consistency from the Run Game
With Ohio State transfer Chip Trayanum sidelined, Demi Sumo-Karngbaye, Jason Patterson, and Jamarion Wilcox will carry the load. Wilcox, in particular, showed promise last weekend and will need to continue his strong performance to support the offense.
4. Win the Special Teams Battle
Kentucky struggled with punting last season, but Wilson Berry is reported to have improved significantly. South Carolina has a history of solid special teams play, including a punt return touchdown last season. Kentucky must aim for touchbacks on kickoffs, make field goals, and provide good field position for their defense. If they can average 40+ yards per punt and pin South Carolina’s offense inside their 20-yard line, Kentucky will gain a substantial advantage.
5. Make Explosive Plays
Bush Hamdan demonstrated a willingness to stretch the field in game one, with Brock Vandagriff throwing for 169 yards in just 36 minutes of play. With playmakers like Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Ja’Mori Maclin, Kentucky has the potential for explosive plays. I expect Vandagriff to throw for over 300 yards and rush for over 50 yards in this game.
In summary, I fully expect Kentucky to have a strong performance this weekend. They should apply pressure to the freshman quarterback, protect Vandagriff, and make plenty of explosive plays to secure a big win.
Score Prediction: Kentucky 38, South Caroline 14
COLUMBIA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – A new poll from The Trafalgar Group offers an early snapshot of the Republican primary field in South Carolina’s race for governor.
The survey of 1,089 likely Republican primary voters was conducted May 2 to May 5 and lists a 2.9 percentage-point margin of error.
Who leads
In the poll’s test ballot, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette drew 25.2 percent support, followed by Attorney General Alan Wilson 23.1% percent.
The next tier included U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman 19.6 percent and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace 15.2 percent.
The remaining candidates were Rom Reddy 10.1 percent, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell 4.2 percent and Jacqueline Dubose 2.7 percent.
What to know
Poll results can change quickly as campaigns ramp up, endorsements are made and more voters tune in.
The Trafalgar Group said the poll was conducted among likely GOP primary voters with a 95 percent confidence level.
What’s next
FOX Carolina will continue tracking new polling, endorsements and candidate announcements as the 2026 election cycle unfolds.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with FOX Carolina. For more free content like this, download our apps.
Copyright 2026 WHNS. All rights reserved.
South-Carolina
Former South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at 38 years old
A former college football star is now fighting cancer at 38 years old.
Stephen Garcia, a quarterback for four years at South Carolina, revealed on social media Wednesday that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer.
A GoFundMe page, organized by his wife Maria that has already garnered nearly $100K in donations, said that after a trip to the emergency room and multiple imaging tests, Garcia was diagnosed with cancer and was set to begin chemotherapy. He is now on an “aggressive” track, and “he will be meeting with specialized liver and colon surgeons to determine the next steps in his treatment plan.”
Garcia took to Facebook to share the GoFundMe link and said he is confident he will be able to overcome the diagnosis.
“Wasn’t overly excited to share this news but it is what it is. We have a great team of doctors and staff that’s confident we can beat this! It’s the only option,” he wrote. “If there’s one lesson to be learned, get checked and don’t be afraid to visit the doctors office when you don’t feel 100%.”
He later thanked everyone for their support on his Instagram story.
Garcia had a prolific career with the Gamecocks, throwing for 7,597 yards and 49 touchdowns. In 2009, as a sophomore, he led the SEC with 239 completions before throwing a career-high 3,059 yards with 20 touchdowns during the next campaign, as South Carolina finished at No. 22 in the final poll of the season.
His 20 wins rank tied for third-most in program history. Garcia later spent time in the CFL, AFL and AAF after his college football days.
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said he is “praying” for the former QB.
“I talked to Stephen about an hour ago, actually, and he was in great spirits,” Beamer said Wednesday in Columbia, according to The State. “Then texting back and forth since we talked on the phone about an hour ago and told him to attack this thing with the same mindset that he’s attacked everything going back to when he was a player here and still is now as a human being.
“Told him I got his back, and we all have his back. Just praying hard for him right now.”
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WACH) — A Virginia man has been arrested on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Michael Mickels Jr., 18, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was arrested.
Authorities charged Mickels with one count of criminal solicitation of a minor, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and one count of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the Virginia State Police.
Investigators said Mickels solicited a minor for sex and encouraged the making of child sexual abuse material.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case.
-
Nebraska6 minutes agoNebraska driver hits 160 mph fleeing state troopers on Interstate 80
-
Nevada12 minutes ago‘Egregiously unsafe’: Nevada attorney general sues Discord
-
New Hampshire18 minutes agoNew Hampshire’s Cannabis Program Sees Record Growth – Valley News
-
New Jersey24 minutes agoBed Bath & Beyond returns to New Jersey stores
-
New Mexico30 minutes ago4.0 magnitude earthquake strikes near Colorado-New Mexico state line
-
North Carolina36 minutes agoKinston site preserves legacy of North Carolina’s first governor
-
North Dakota42 minutes agoState Patrol identifies victim in fatal West Fargo pedestrian crash
-
Ohio48 minutes ago
Former Ohio State football players to join a sexual abuse lawsuit against the school
