By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was bound to happen sooner or later. Something had to give and it did.
Kentucky’s football team had not won a road game in the past 22 games, a winless streak that dates all the way back to a 32-15 win over at rival Louisville in 2010. That was until the Wildcats (2-0) put an end to the misery with a 26-22 win over South Carolina Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Not only did Kentucky overcome the odds and get back on track away from home, coach Mark Stoops became the first UK coach to defeat Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier in back-to-back fashion. The Wildcats rallied for an exciting 45-38 triumph over South Carolina in Lexington.
Last year’s rally was memorable for Stoops, but this one was more meaningful.
“I think it is another step in the right direction,” the Kentucky coach said. “We are certainly very far from the finished product, but I really like where they are headed and I like the mentality of this team. Every opportunity like this where you can win, grow and learn from is only going to help us.”
Getting that road win certainly wasn’t an easy feat. On the third play from scrimmage, Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles threw an interception that resulted in a score for the hosts and an early 7-0 lead that left the stadium rocking.
Despite the miscue, Towles didn’t get rattled as the Wildcats dominated the remainder of the first half and led 24-7 at the break. Although leading by double digits, Towles knew the second half wasn’t going to be as easy as the first two quarters.
“We knew we were talented enough to play with anybody,” Towles said. “We want to embrace the road. We didn’t sustain it like we wanted too, but we made plays when we needed to. We answered adversity and we got hit in the mouth early, but we kept fighting and fighting.”
The Gamecocks (1-1) chipped away at the lead and almost tied the score at 24-24 but a botched two-point conversion resulted in a deuce for the Wildcats after freshman Denzil Ware scooped up a fumble at the goal-line and raced to the end zone. In the closing minutes, Chris Westry, another freshman, collected an interception that didn’t become certain until an official review determined his knees were on the ground following the interception. For Westry, it was a long wait.
“It felt like a lifetime,” Westry said. “I was in the right position at the right time to make a play.”
Williams said the team’s “emotions were high” after the play by Ware but, “we knew they were going to come back and try to score.”
“We knew we couldn’t celebrate too much, because we had to focus on the game,” he said. “Those guys did a great job.”
A first-down run by Towles on the ensuing series, allowed the Wildcats to end it with a victory formation, capped by a joyous celebration in the visitors locker room. It was a moment five years in the making.
“The defense made plays,” Kentucky running back Stanley “Boom” Williams said. “Big credit goes to the defense.”
Despite the second-half woes, Williams said the Wildcats didn’t get down even as South Carolina started rallying to make things interesting in the second half.
“We just believed in ourselves and it’s very special to come on the road and get a win,” Williams said. “We’re going to celebrate this win, but not for too long. We have to get ready for a home game next week against Florida.”
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports reporter for nkytribune.com