LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Kentucky Wildcats’ SEC opener against the South Carolina Gamecocks was less than memorable.
With SEC Nation rolling into Lexington, excitement was bubbling over ahead of the matchup.
Fans starting to head for the exits at Kroger Field as South Carolina scores a TD to go up 23-6, pending review.
Still 1:33 left in 3rd quarter so a little early, but this is a brutal product for Kentucky to put out on the field right now.
Lot of boos from #BBN. @FOX56News pic.twitter.com/9tr1L3qaz0
— Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) September 7, 2024
The Wildcats struggled to get anything going offensively, failing to score an offensive touchdown in the 31-6 loss. It was also their 3rd straight loss to the Gamecocks, putting a sour note on their SEC opener and falling to 1-1 on the season.
Starting quarterback Brock Vandagriff and backup Gavin Wimsatt each completed three passes and only managed 44 total passing yards, with each throwing a pick as well.
The defense kept Kentucky in the game for as long as they could. At the beginning of the third quarter, junior defensive back Max Hairston forced a fumble sack that was recovered by the Gamecocks. A play later, Zion Childress forced another fumble sack, forcing a big three and out to get BBN and the team on their feet.
“We’ve been beaten pretty badly by some pretty good football teams and I felt like we’ve always fought back. Very disappointed, not happy with us, our coaching, our response, or the way we played. That’s 100% on me, no excuses. We didn’t respond.” Remarks from Mark Stoops after… pic.twitter.com/ycT1T0LMBn
— Colby Wilson (@colbyywilsonn) September 7, 2024
Now, the Cats welcome the top-ranked Georiga Bulldogs and that’s likely a less-than-ideal opponent to try and bounce back against.
With ESPN marking the Bulldogs as a 21.5-point favorite, it’s a tall task to expect the Kentucky team everyone saw last weekend to upset mighty Georiga but remember, even Mighty Casey struck out.
Will the offensive line rebound after last week?
The offensive line is focusing on the fundamentals, according to offensive line coach Eric Wolford.
“When you look at when we had breakdowns, I think it starts with some very simple things,” Wolford said. “There’s a point to when you get on blocks, you gotta stick on blocks, finish, and play with tremendous strain.”
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Georgia is expected to be without four of their starting defensive linemen, including potential number one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Mykel Williams. Two of their five starters are listed as doubtful for the game due to injury and two reserves are also doubtful.
This provides the Wildcats with a chance to re-instill some confidence with a lot of football left on the schedule.
Can the offense move the ball and give the defense a break?
After entering the half down 10-7, Kentucky’s defense was picking up the slack for the offensive struggles.
Kentucky will still be without projected starting running back Chip Trayanum, meanwhile, freshman Jason Patterson will be sidelined as well. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye will be expected to handle a lot of the work, with Jamarion Wilcox expected to see more work as well.
Still, all eyes will be on Vandagriff and the Kentucky passing attack. Pass protection struggled to keep Vandagriff upright last week, causing him to take numerous sacks and struggle to see the field.
CATS VS. DAWGS 🏈
Brock Vandagriff getting ready to face his former team as Kentucky gets ready to host No. 1 Georgia this Saturday here in Lexington. #BBN
Brock said “the hay’s not in the barn yet,” lot of work to do before the game. @FOX56News pic.twitter.com/c3ZLL9WRoM
— Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) September 12, 2024
Aside from Dane Key’s 32-year reception, no other pass-catcher managed to make a splash in the receiving game. Key caught 36 of the team’s 44 yards through the air.
Against Georgia, Vandagriff and the receivers have to be able to press the ball downfield or Saturday’s game could be an ugly affair again.
What time is kickoff and how to watch/listen?
Kickoff for the game is slated at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Kroger Field.
The game will be aired on ABC and will also be available to stream on WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
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Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro will have the radio call on the UK Sports Network. The game can also be heard on Sirius XM Channel 98.
Game PredictionsFOX 56 Sports Team:
It’s hard to see Kentucky’s offense putting together more than one touchdown drive against this Georgia defense, especially considering how much better the Dawgs’ pass rush will be than South Carolina’s, and we saw what South Carolina’s did to the UK offensive line. I expect to see some bubble screens and quick throws to get the ball out of Brock Vandagriff’s hands quickly, to try to let the playmakers make something happen because he won’t have much time at all to drop back in the pocket.
I think the Cats’ defense will prevent the scoreboard’s away team tally from ballooning up to the 40s and 50s, but Carson Beck and company will still find the endzone at least five times to make this an uncompetitive ballgame.
Final score: Georgia – 38 South Carolina – 7
FOX 56 Digital Producer Matt Duckworth:
There’s nothing positive to take from the game last weekend. Kentucky looked like they were unprepared on offense and their offensive line was manhandled in the trenches. The defense did their best to give the Wildcats a shot to right the ship and eke out a win before collapsing late.
I expect the defense to, once again, answer the bell as best they can! The effort will be there for this team. I expect Bush Hamdan to try and ramp up the quick passing and marry the run-and-pass games a bit. Overall, despite poor offensive line play, Kentucky will put forth a better showing. Ultimately, it won’t be enough. Mighty Casey won’t strike out this time. Georgia outclasses Kentucky in every way and will impose its will in the second half.
Final score: Georgia – 41 UK – 17
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Publish date : 2024-09-13 06:00:00
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