Football . December 5, 2020

Rodriguez Scores 3 TDs, Kentucky Beats South Carolina 41-18

by By GARY B. GRAVES | AP Sports Writer

Kevin Harris Tops 1,000 Rushing Yards for Gamecocks

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for three touchdowns, Terry Wilson and A.J. Rose each rushed for one, and Kentucky rolled South Carolina 41-18 Saturday night in the regular season finale for both schools.

Looking to halt a two-game slide and remain in consideration for the postseason, the Wildcats (4-6, 4-6 Southeastern Conference) scored on five of their first seven possessions to lead 27-3 at halftime. Their highest first-half output this season was aided by 10 points off two of their three takeaways, including two fumble recoveries by Jordan Wright.

Rodriguez returned from a two-game absence to rush for first-half TDs of 1 and 2 yards around Rose’s 8-yard score before sealing the rout with a 79-yard burst down the left side with 4:56 remaining. Wilson added a 1-yard TD run early in the third quarter as the Wildcats outgained the Gamecocks (2-8, 2-8) 492-404.

Wilson, the senior quarterback, finished 17 of 26 passing for 201 yards and rushed for 46 to break 1,000 career. Rodriguez had 139 yards on 14 carries and Rose 101 on 14 carries as Kentucky dealt South Carolina its sixth consecutive loss.

Kevin Harris rushed for 210 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries to become the 11th Gamecock with 1,000 in a season. Luke Doty’s 30-yard TD pass to Dakereon Joyner and two-point conversion to Nick Muse with 5:12 left made it 34-18 before Rodriguez’s big TD run.

GAME CHANGER

South Carolina looked to get on the board on its first possession, but a holding call negated the score and led to a missed field goal. Kentucky had a field goal on its first possession, scored 10 points in the first frame and had 27 in the first half on its way to victory.

KEY STAT

1,138 – Kevin Harris became the ninth Gamecock to reach 1,000 yards in a season as the Hinesville, Ga., native rushed for 210 yards on 21 carries in the Kentucky game. Harris now has 1,138 yards in 2020 and it’s the 11th time a Gamecock has had 1,000-plus rushing yards in a season. Harris also rushed for 200-plus yards for the second time this season (245 vs. Ole Miss).