Kentucky Coach Will Stein Leads Historic Comeback Win Over South Carolina

Kentucky head coach Will Stein called for a two-point conversion in overtime to secure a 35-34 victory over South Carolina on Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina. The win completed the largest road comeback in Wildcats history after trailing by 17 points, lifting Kentucky to a 4-1 record.

Minchey and Rodriguez Seal Overtime Win

With Kentucky holding the ball in overtime after South Carolina scored first to take a 34-27 lead, quarterback Kenny Minchey connected with Henry Boyer for a six-yard touchdown. Instead of kicking the extra point to extend the game, Will Stein decided Kentucky had played enough football and kept his offense on the field for a two-point try.

Minchey threw to tight end Willie Rodriguez, who stood alone in the back of the end zone to secure the conversion. The decision clinched a 35-34 victory that sent the Wildcats sideline into a chaotic celebration on the field.

“Everybody could see him in the country, right? We weren’t stopping him that much. You’ve gotta go for it, right? I’m not gonna put my defense back out there. Put it in the hands of No. 3, who played his butt off tonight, and threw it to No. 81, who is one of the best tight ends in the country.”

Minchey completed 28 of 41 passes for 272 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His performance earned him a spot in the program record books as the first Kentucky quarterback to throw for at least 270 yards with three touchdowns and a completion percentage of at least 68% in an SEC road game since Jared Lorenzen in 2001, according to UK statistician Corey Price.

Wildcats Erase 17-Point Deficit

Kentucky generated just 18 yards of total offense in the first frame while South Carolina surged ahead 17-0. The Wildcats trailed 20-10 at halftime as Minchey absorbed early pressure and sacks.

Freshman receiver Kenny Darby caught 12 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown to set a Kentucky freshman receptions record. His 17-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter pulled the Wildcats within three points at 20-17. Minutes later, Minchey found Nic Anderson wide open for a 32-yard scoring strike that gave Kentucky its first lead at 24-20.

Gamecocks Drop SEC Contest

South Carolina dominated stretches of the game through dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who accumulated 226 passing yards and two touchdowns alongside 147 rushing yards. His 74-yard run helped the Gamecocks’ offense finish with 458 yards.

South Carolina ultimately watched another late advantage slip away, dropping their eighth SEC game in a drought spanning more than a calendar year. The defeat dropped South Carolina to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

South Carolina played without star defensive end Dylan Stewart, a projected top-10 NFL draft pick who was serving a suspension issued by the school and the SEC after throwing a punch late in a loss to the Crimson Tide the previous week, according to The Associated Press.

Beamer Addresses Program Standing

As frustrated fans chanted for a coaching change in the concourses of Williams-Brice Stadium, head coach Shane Beamer addressed his team’s struggles and his standing within the program following the overtime defeat.

We’ve got to win football games. I’m not dumb. You know that. We’re not here for moral victories. I’m proud of the way they competed. I’m proud of the way they responded. But ultimately, you’re judged on wins and losses.

If South Carolina terminated his contract, the school would owe a buyout figure of over $24 million under terms from an extension signed in 2024 following a nine-win season. The university could save $1.2 million by waiting until after the Clemson game, when the buyout would drop to $22.8 million.

Kentucky improves to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC under Stein, matching an opening start last achieved by Bear Bryant in 1946. The Wildcats return to Lexington to host No. 11 LSU next Saturday, while South Carolina travels to face No. 8 Florida.

More on this story: Kentucky Stuns No. 9 Texas A&M With 31-21 Upset Win in College Station · South Carolina Prepares Backup QB Cutter Woods to Support LaNorris Sellers