By: Mason Snyder
After a big win at Williams-Brice Stadium over the South Carolina State Bulldogs, the Gamecocks look to pounce the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday. The Gamecocks (4-1, 1-1) are looking to improve to 5-1 and Head Coach Steve Spurrier's second best start at USC.
Last year the Gamecocks took care of business in Lexington beating the Wildcats 24-17. Former Gamecock, now Carolina Panther, Captain Munnerlyn, returned a blocked field goal 81-yards and had an 84-yard punt return to set up for another score during that intense matchup.
In a season of quarterback confusion, the win last year was credited to Stephen Garcia who, after replacing a struggling Chris Smelley, put together four successful drives into Kentucky territory adding ten points to the Gamecocks score.
But quarterback questions seem to be a thing of the past for the Gamecocks.
Garcia's passing percentage is up by 7% since last year. He already has nearly 30 more completions and pass attempts than last year, and experts predict those numbers will triple by the end of the season.
Garcia will face a Wildcat squad that's struggled in its last two games. Two weeks ago Kentucky lost to No. 1 Florida 41-7. UK allowed 362 rushing yards.
Last week the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide took it to Kentucky, beating them 38-20.
Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban said Saturday the Wildcats aren't a pushover team.
"This was by far the most physical, toughest game we have had to this point," Saban said.
And the Gamecocks aren't looking past them.
"Kentucky is very good team," said head coach Steve Spurrier following Monday's workout.
"They've been a good team. They've won a bowl game the last two years, something we've certainly not done. If they hadn't played Florida and Alabama, they could be 4-0. I look at this game very similar to the Ole Miss game. They are very capable of beating us and I think we're capable of beating them. The team that plays the best will probably win it. This year's game will stand on its own merit," Spurrier said.
Spurrier says he hopes the Gamecocks can do better than two years ago when they started the season 6-1 and went on to lose their last five games and not make the post season.
