South Carolina-Kentucky final score, highlights: Gamecocks will play Clemson for bowl berth

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football needs two more wins to reach bowl eligibility in 2023, and the Gamecocks face their first test as underdogs to SEC East rival Kentucky in Week 12.

South Carolina (4-6, 2-5 SEC) hosts the Wildcats (6-4, 3-4) under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday (7:30 p.m., SEC Network) looking to continue a three-game winning streak. The Gamecocks routed Vanderbilt 47-6 for the second SEC win of the season last week, while Kentucky is coming off of a 49-11 loss to No. 8 Alabama.

South Carolina leads the all-time series with Kentucky 19-14, but the Wildcats have won seven of the last 10 meetings. The Gamecocks upset Kentucky 24-14 on the road last season for the program's first win in Lexington since 2012. The Wildcats won in Columbia 16-10 in 2021, Shane Beamer's first season as coach.

South Carolina game time, TV channel, odds today vs Kentucky Wildcats

• KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. ET

• TV CHANNEL: SEC Network

• ODDS: Kentucky -1.5

MUST READ: How Mario Anderson went from Division II walk-on to South Carolina's starting running back

South Carolina football score updates vs Kentucky Wildcats

FINAL SCORE: South Carolina 17, Kentucky 14

Fourth Quarter

South Carolina 17, Kentucky 14: Keeping it neck and neck

With less than a quarter left, the Gamecocks find themselves in the lead once again with a 17 yard passing touchdown by quarterback Spencer Rattler to wide receiver Xavier Legette. After the PAT Gamecocks leads by a field goal with 7:44 on the clock.

Third Quarter

Kentucky 14, South Carolina 10: TD No. 2 for the Wildcats

Gaining the lead for the first time in the game is Kentucky with a 31 yard rushing touchdown by running back Ray Davis. After the PAT the Wildcats lead the Gamecocks 14-10 with 8:42 on the clock.

Second Quarter

South Carolina 10, Kentucky 7: Wildcats see some action

For the first time in the game, the Wildcats finally get on the board in the second quarter with a 7 yard reception from quarterback Devin Leary to wide receiver Barion Brown. After the PAT Kentucky trails 10-7 with just under 11 minutes in the quarter.

First Quarter

South Carolina 10, Kentucky 0: USC keeping the momentum

After a six minute and 32 second drive, kicker Mitch Jeter turns the Gamecock score into double digits with a 23 yard field goal. USC still lead 10-0 with 13 seconds left in the first quarter.

South Carolina 7, Kentucky 0: Gamecocks strike first

USC will be first on the scoreboard for the night with a 13 yard passing touchdown from Quarterback Spencer Rattler to wide receiver Xavier Legette. After the PAT the Gamecocks lead the Wildcats 7-0 with seven and a half minutes on the board.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina-Kentucky score, highlights: USC will play for bowl berth