GAMECOCKS HOLD OFF WILDCATS
24-17
LEXINGTON, Ky.
(AP) -- Quarterback Syvelle Newton ran for one touchdown and caught another as
South Carolina defeated Kentucky 24-17 Saturday to extend Steve Spurrier's
record against the Wildcats to 14-0.
South Carolina (4-2, 2-2 Southeastern
Conference) has now won seven straight against Kentucky, the last two under
Spurrier. His previous 12 victories over the Wildcats (3-3, 1-2) came at
Florida.
Newton, who became the starter last month and
threw for five touchdowns Sept. 23 against Florida Atlantic, used his other
skills to win this one.
With the Gamecocks already ahead by seven
points late in the fourth quarter, Spurrier called a reverse and sent Newton
sprinting to the end zone. The 22-yard pass from receiver Kenny McKinley was
right on target.
It had appeared early that the versatile
quarterback would have a long day throwing the ball. Newton led the Gamecocks
to the Kentucky 8 on their opening drive, but his third-down toss was picked
off at the goal line by a diving Shomari Moore. Kentucky's offense reached
midfield before punting it back.
Newton was more effective when faced with
another third-and-goal opportunity on South Carolina's next possession. He
danced into the end zone for a 7-yard score to cap off a drive that saw him
compile four plays of at least 12 yards - two from the air, two more from the
ground.
South Carolina stretched the lead to 10-0
late in the first half with a 42-yard field goal by Ryan Succop. Newton's
44-yard bomb to a wide-open McKinley put the Gamecocks in position.
Newton, who hadn't started a game at
quarterback since 2004 before being inserted into the starting lineup against
Wofford, completed 14 of 22 passes for 171 yards. He ran for 77 yards.
Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson, who came
into the game tied for second in the nation with 14 touchdown passes, got only
one Saturday - a 9-yard pass to Dicky Lyons Jr. late in the fourth quarter.
Lyons' touchdown, his seventh of the year, immediately followed a 63-yard
catch.
Lyons' touchdown made the score 24-17 with
three minutes left, but Lones Seiber's onside kick attempt went out of bounds.
South Carolina ran out the clock, giving it back to the Wildcats with 22
seconds left.
Woodson found Keenan Burton for a 38-yard
gain to move Kentucky to the South Carolina 42, but his Hail Mary attempt fell
incomplete into the end zone as time expired.
Woodson also threw a costly third-quarter
interception that set up a second Gamecocks touchdown - a 5-yard run by Cory
Boyd. Boyd had 25 carries for 113 yards.
With the Florida defense playing stingy
against Kentucky's offense, the Wildcats used some trickery to get their first
points midway through the third quarter.
First, punter Tim Mastay ran for 17 yards on
a fake. Then, with the Wildcats on the 1-yard line, Rafael Little dived over
the top of the pile and appeared to score, except he didn't have the ball.
Woodson did, and he galloped untouched into the corner of the end zone.
The Wildcats received short punts on each of
their next two possessions but could only manage a 31-yard field goal by
Seiber, which cut the Gamecocks lead to 17-10. Seiber would miss another one
from 45 yards.
THE GOOD
South
Carolina led the entire game and hung on to win. Quarterback Syvelle Newton
and running back Corey Boyd both played well again and appear to be the most
consistent Gamecocks on offense.
THE
BAD
Special teams
allowed a fake punt to the Wildcats a week after giving up an onside kick last
week against the Auburn Tigers.
THE
UGLY
After Coach
Spurrier called the last timeout on 4th and 3 with the Gamecocks driving deep
into Kentucky territory, Newton tried to call another timeout and received a
5-yard penalty giving South Carolina a 4th and 8 instead. Following the failed
4th down conversion, the Gamecocks appeared not ready on defense giving up a
big play setting up a final desperation pass by the Wildcats in the end zone.
