Minchey rallies No. 24 Kentucky to 35-34 OT win at South Caroilna

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kentucky coach Will Stein held up two fingers on the sidelines after his team’s overtime touchdown, letting the Wildcats know his intention to end things right away.

Strong safety Ty Bryant hinted he knew his coach’s intentions a few days earlier. Bryant, a senior, usually sits in on staff meetings late in the week. “I’m not going to tell you what (Stein) said,” Bryant continued. “He’s aggressive. I’m good with that.”

So were all connected with No. 24 Kentucky (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) after Kenny Minchey’s 6-yard TD pass to Henry Boyer and successful 2-point pass to Willie Rodriguez at the back of the end zone gave the Wildcats a 35-34 OT win at South Carolina after trailing 17-0.

“We just felt the momentum South Carolina had taken at the end of regulation,” Stein said. “We needed to go for two. That’s what we did. Felt really confident about the play call and executed it well.”

Kentucky’s players exploded in celebration, spilling onto the field after a second major road win for first-year coach Stein, who’s team beat then-ninth-ranked Texas A&M 31-21 at College Station two weeks ago.

And now, Kentucky gets to dream of even bigger things and a special season in Stein’s debut when it faces No. 11 LSU at home next Saturday.

“Oh, it’s going to mean a lot,” freshman receiver Kenny Darby said. “But I’m not going to worry about that. I’m ready to celebrate.”

The Wildcats needed to fight back several times. Minchey’s 32-yard scoring pass to Nic Anderson late in the third quarter gave them their first lead, 24-20. And after South Carolina retook the lead in the fourth quarter on LaNorris Sellers’ 15-yard TD pass to DJ Black, Minchey led a 66-yard drive that ended with Adam Zouagui’s 29-yard tying field goal with 4:13 to play.

Sellers again moved his team in front in overtime on a 5-yard throw to Maurice Brown II in the end zone. But after Minchey’s pass to Boyer, Kentucky didn’t hesitate and connected on the winning points.

Sellers passed for 226 yards and two scores. He also ran for 147 yards, including a twisting 74-yard run that set up his TD throw to Black in the final quarter. But it wasn’t enough as the Gamecocks (2-3, 0-3) lost their eighth straight in SEC play.

They were also without star defensive end Dylan Stewart and a projected top-10 NFL draft pick, who was suspended by the school and the SEC for throwing a punch late in a 49-18 loss to the Crimson Tide last week.

The takeaway

Kentucky: The Wildcats have done several good things early in the season as Stein became the first first-year Kentucky coach to win a true road game at Texas A&M. This latest rally will only make things crazier for his program as he heads deeper into SEC play.

South Carolina: It was a week of looked-up contract buyouts for coach Shane Beamer as many wondered how much longer the team could endure losing in the SEC. That won’t stop given the SEC losing streak and the fact they were up 16-0 on Mississippi State two weeks ago before falling 41-34.

Beamer’s troubles

The pressure will certainly ramp up on South Carolina’s Beamer, and there were several boos headed his way as walked off the field. He understands the bottom line is he and his team must win to ensure he remains in charge of the program. “We’re not here for moral victories,” he said. “I’m proud of the way they competed and the way they responded. But ultimately you’re judged on wins and losses.”

Beamer is 35-33 overall at South Carolina and 16-27 in SEC play.

Up next

Kentucky returns home to play No. 11 LSU next Saturday night.

South Carolina goes to No. 8 Florida next Saturday.

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