Kentucky-South Carolina Set for Another Nighttime Showdown at Williams-Brice
Another chapter in the SEC rivalry between Kentucky and South Carolina will once again unfold under the lights. The league announced that the Wildcats and Gamecocks will square off in primetime on September 27, with kickoff set for 7:45 p.m. EDT on the SEC Network.
For Mark Stoops’ Wildcats, who will be coming off a bye week, the matchup represents a critical road test. For fans, the announcement sparks a familiar question: How has Kentucky fared in night games at Williams-Brice during the Stoops era?
A Rivalry Split Down the Middle
Competing in Columbia at night is no easy task, with 80,000 fans creating one of the loudest environments in college football. And for Kentucky, the results have been evenly divided. In six primetime matchups at South Carolina under Stoops, the Wildcats hold a 3-3 record — a mix of gritty wins and frustrating defeats.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 2023: South Carolina 17, Kentucky 14 – a painful, narrow loss in the most recent meeting.
- 2021: Kentucky 16, South Carolina 10 – a defensive battle that fueled the Wildcats’ 10-win season.
- 2019: South Carolina 24, Kentucky 7 – a tough night for an injury-riddled roster.
- 2017: Kentucky 23, South Carolina 13 – a statement victory that solidified the program’s rise.
- 2015: Kentucky 26, South Carolina 22 – a dramatic win in a back-and-forth thriller.
- 2013: South Carolina 35, Kentucky 28 – a hard-fought loss during Stoops’ debut season, showing early competitiveness.
What It Means for 2025
The series history suggests a rivalry full of streaks and razor-thin margins. When Kentucky’s momentum was strong, it regularly knocked off South Carolina. But since Stoops’ infamous SEC Media Days comment, momentum has shifted, with Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks taking control of the rivalry in recent years.
Now, with another night clash looming, the question is clear: Can Kentucky flip the script in Columbia, or will South Carolina extend its run?
