Kentucky, South Carolina offenses sputter to halftime as fans, media lament struggles
Kentucky and South Carolina had several reasons to be excited for their offenses on Saturday in a packed Williams-Brice Stadium.
Will Levis made his first road start in an SEC environment for Kentucky, and South Carolina’s Luke Doty made his first start of the season at quarterback.
Kentucky’s Kavosiey Smoke opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown run with 8:27 left in the first quarter. But since then, neither team could get on track offensively.
Smoke capped a 12-play, 75-yard TD drive to start the game, but then the teams struggled, and combined for 7 punts, 1 interception and 1 turnover on downs on the next several possessions.
Doty was 6-for-9 passing for 46 yards, but the Gamecocks only got 4 first downs, and were 1-for-6 on third down.
Kentucky got a late field goal as the Wildcats mustered a scoring drive to close out the half, 10-0.
Here’s a sampling of some fan and media reaction:
Came to Columbia to watch an SEC football game and got a Big Ten one instead. https://t.co/asTMwWJyMx
— Josh Moore (@JoshMooreHL) September 26, 2021
The USC offense has flashed in moments but can’t carry a drive. Doty not yet in sync with his receivers. He’s overthrown both Vann and Brooks on deep shots.
— Michael Lananna (@mlananna) September 26, 2021
The last four plays have been flagged. Two on USC, two on Kentucky.
Just in case you’re all tuning in or attending to think you paid to see the teams play.
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) September 26, 2021
Being a Gamecock fan is pure torture at times.
— The Spurs Up Show (@TheSpursUpShow) September 26, 2021
Doty quick screen on third down, tipped at the line and incomplete.
Doty has not run, designed or otherwise. Gamecocks getting nothing from anywhere else.
Another punt. USC asking its defense to keep stopping UK, and if it wouldn’t mind, score a touchdown?
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) September 26, 2021