No. 24 UK Overcomes 17-Point Deficit to Win 35-34 at South Carolina in OT

COLUMBIA – October 3, 2026 – Bradley Charles

It wasn’t a great start by any means, but what an ending it was for UK football on Saturday. Despite trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, No. 24 Kentucky won 35-34 at South Carolina in OT.

After scoring a TD to make it 34-33 Gamecocks in overtime, UK head coach Will Stein decided to go for a win with the two-point conversion. The gamble paid off as Kenny Minchey found Willie Rodriguez for the Kentucky victory.

This game will go down as one of the most exciting wins in UK football history. It’s a massive victory for the Will Stein era; especially considering how the victory unquestionably has his stamp on it due to the gutsy decision to go for the win.

Minchey was 28-of-41 through the air for 272 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Freshman receiver Kenny Darby had 12 catches for 96 yards and one touchdown.

Darby is the first Wildcat to record that stat-line since Randall Cobb against Mississippi State in 2010. His 12 receptions are a UK freshman record. He tallied 18 targets.

WR Nic Anderson had a break-out performance with five receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown. Rodriguez registered another solid performance with five catches for 57 yards.

With the victory, Stein is the first coach in UK history to win his first two SEC road games. He is also the first Kentucky head coach to be 4-1 in his first season since Paul “Bear” Bryant in 1946.

The win is tied for the second-largest comeback victory in school history, while being the biggest comeback road win. It’s also Kentucky’s first overtime road win in school history.

UK is now 4-1 (2-1 SEC) on the season, while the Gamecocks are 2-3 (0-3 SEC.) Up next for Kentucky is an SEC showdown against No. 11 LSU on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7:00 p.m.