Kentucky at South Carolina football live updates: Scores, highlights and more

The Kentucky Wildcats are on a roll to start the season with a three-game winning streak. But the schedule only gets tougher from here.

The Wildcats face South Carolina on the road Saturday night in an SEC matchup before facing Florida, LSU and Georgia in a true test of Kentucky's grit. 

UK (3-0) faces the Gamecocks (2-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2. South Carolina is coming off a beating from No. 2 Georgia last week, falling 40-13.

The Wildcats survived a tough matchup against FCS Chattanooga last week, one in which coach Mark Stoops was not pleased with.

"We're not satisfied by any stretch, but you never apologize for a win," Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.

More:Return of Governor's Cup rivalry to Lexington highlights Kentucky football 2022 schedule

Report card: Grading Kentucky football's performance through first quarter of season

Final - Kentucky 16, South Carolina 10

The Wildcats pulled out a tough win at South Carolina despite getting in its own way several times throughout the night.

Kentucky totaled 332 yards to SC's 216. The passing game wasn't as eclectic as the past few games, tallying just 102 yards and 4.6 yards a catch. The Wildcats' rushing attack, however, put together 238 yards compared to SC's 58.

Rodriguez had 144 yards on 16 carries and two fumbles, though both were recovered by UK. Wan'Dale Robinson had 65 yards on seven catches. Levis finished the game 15-22 for 102 yards with one TD and one interception.

2:31 fourth qtr: SC closes the gap on FG, 16-10

Parker White gets the Gamecocks back within one score with a little over two minutes left in regulation. Parker put up a 54-yard field goal after SC traveled 39 yards to UK's 36.

Can the Wildcats pull off the win on the road?

UK makes it two-score game with FG, 16-7 fourth quarter

After two consecutive turnovers, the Wildcats are able to create a bit of breathing room on another Ruffolo field goal.

The Wildcats continue to feed Rodriguez the ball despite his ball control issues as the running back has racked up 43 rushing yards on the drive.

Ali fumbles again, 13-7 fourth quarter

The Wildcats were fortunate the Gamecocks were not able to capitalize on their last forced fumble. 

But the Kentucky offense decided to be generous and give SC another chance on its very next drive. Ali fumbled again while cutting through the middle. The running back was hit low and became airborne, but so did the ball.

The Gamecocks recovered and Ali showed signs of frustration after his second consecutive turnover.

Josh Ali fumbles, South Carolina recovers

It was not the first -- or even the second -- fumble for the Wildcats tonight, but it was the first fumble they lost.

Josh Ali was taking a hand off headed to the right side before he was stripped by a South Carolina defender at UK's 47-yard line. Rodriguez fumbled twice earlier in the game but was able to recover the ball both times.

The Wildcats officially have two turnovers in the game, including QB Levis' interception from earlier in the night.

Kentucky responds with a FG, 13-7

The Gamecocks were getting too close for comfort, so the Wildcats marched down the field with a purpose but were unable to reach the end zone. It took Kentucky seven minutes to cover 72 yards before being limited to SC's three-yard line.

Ruffolo connected for the 21-yard field goal.

South Carolina gets on the board, 10-7

With a little under 11 minutes left in the third quarter, the Gamecocks finally get some momentum and find their way onto the scoreboard.

South Carolina covered 75 yards in four minutes as quarterback Luke Doty capped the drive with a five-yard pass to Jalen Brooks for a touchdown.

Weaver's 6 fingers the talk of the town

Speaking of Weaver, the linebacker is making waves not only for his play on the field, but his unique physical stature.

The former Moore High Standout was born with six fingers on his right hand. No doubt that the extra appendage doesn't harm his game as Weaver has two tackles and a sack so far in this game. The extra finger is fully functioning.

More:Why playing less could actually help former Moore star J.J. Weaver and Kentucky football

Halftime: UK 10, South Carolina 0

Kentucky enters the locker room with a two-score lead after a 43-yard field goal by Matt Ruffolo.

The Wildcats are led by Chris Rodriguez and Smoke. Rodriguez has 64 yards on 11 carries while Smoke has 32 yards on four carries and a touchdown.

Levis is 10 of 16 for 60 yards and one interception.

SC's Jaylin Foster intercepts Will Levis

The Wildcats were trying to extend their lead by two scores midway through the second quarter, but the Gamecocks had other plans.

Quarterback Will Levis threw a long ball intended for Wan'Dale Robinson, but Foster leaped for the interception, giving South Carolina the ball on its own one-yard line.

Kavosiey Smoke's TD run makes history, 7-0

Smoke scored on a 15-yard run for the Wildcats, but it was more than just the first touchdown of the game -- -- and his first of the season. Smoke passed 1,000 career rushing yards on the play. 

Smoke is the 10th different Wildcat to score a touchdown already this season.

Game to begin on ESPN app

Kentucky's game against South Carolina was slated to air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. Saturday, but the Wildcats' in-state rival is running interference. 

Louisville's ACC game against Florida State still had over six minutes remaining in regulation when the clock struck 7 p.m., so the Wildcats' game will begin on the ESPN app. The game will air on ESPN2 at the conclusion of the Louisville-South Carolina game.

Eligible subscribers can stream via WatchESPN.

J.J. Weaver healthy now, but less could be more

By almost every measure, former Moore star J.J. Weaver has already wildly exceeded expectations in his return from a torn ACL for Kentucky football.

But as the Wildcats enter a pivotal four-game stretch leading to the team’s off week, less could be more for the junior outside linebacker.

“Probably putting a lot on him, to be honest with you,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said this week. “So, need to try to be conscientious of that and try to back off a touch for him.”

Weaver might be the Wildcats’ best pass rusher, but playing too many snaps this early in his return to the field can reduce his effectiveness.

For that reason, Stoops hopes to be able to maximize Weaver’s snaps in predictable passing situations like third-and-longs to replicate plays like his late sack against Missouri when White was able to load the pressure onto one side of the line of scrimmage and scheme a clear path to the quarterback for Weaver.                                                                                                                                               - Jon Hale

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How to watch Kentucky vs. South Carolina

When: 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium; Columbia, South Carolina (77,559)

Brian Custer (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst) and Lauren Sisler (sideline) will have the call on ESPN2. That’s DirecTV 209, Dish 143 and Spectrum Cable 509/924 in Louisville and Lexington.

Eligible subscribers can stream the ESPN2 broadcast via WatchESPN.

Tom Leach (play-by-play), Jeff Piecoro (analyst) and Dick Gabriel (sideline) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington or online at UKAthletics.com. 

Follow Courier Journal UK beat writer Jon Hale (@JonHale_CJ) for UK updates. Follow USA TODAY network reporter Cory Diaz (@CoryDiaz_TGN) for South Carolina updates. You can follow the team’s official accounts at @GamecockFB and @UKFootball.