Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky Football: The Defense Finally Showed Up

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Kentucky football program desperately needed a win over the South Carolina Gamecocks. The defense finally showed up in a 17-10 victory.

Through three weeks, the Kentucky Wildcats were 1-2 and facing the harrowing reality that the defense had allowed at least 40 points in three consecutive games. With an SEC opponent on the horizon, many feared that this would be another lost season for the Kentucky football program.

With their backs against the wall, Kentucky’s defense finally stepped up against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Kentucky continued its success against South Carolina in Week 4. After winning by just one possession, 26-22, in 2015, the Wildcats earned a 17-10 victory in a defensive battle in 2016.

Behind a ferocious pass rush and brilliant play in the secondary, the Wildcats stopped South Carolina in its tracks.

The defense stepped up, Denzil Ware led the way. pic.twitter.com/vgWIJI7r2R

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 25, 2016

A 2-2 record is a welcome sight in Lexington.

Kentucky entered the clash with South Carolina having allowed at least 200 rushing yards in each of its first three games. The run defense finally stepped up against the Gamecocks, limiting the opposition to just 91 rushing yards on 35 carries.

Though South Carolina has struggled to run the ball this season, Kentucky’s defense held it to 2.6 yards per carry—an impressive feat.

Brandon McIlwain entered this encounter with some measure of momentum, but Kentucky had his number. After throwing two touchdowns in Week 2 and running for two touchdowns in Week 3, McIlwain was held scoreless in Lexington.

It was a vital performance by a Wildcats defense that hadn’t yet put together four quarters of high-quality play.

A clash with the Alabama Crimson Tide looms for Kentucky, which doesn’t bode well for its dreams of being above .500. Nevertheless, getting a win to pull to an even 2-2 was absolutely vital to the pursuit of a bowl game appearance.

If Kentucky plays well after the Alabama game, it could end its six-year bowl drought.

If the defense plays this well against Alabama, then the game could be closer than projected.