Another week and another lead blown at home against SEC competition for the Gamecocks. 

The Gamecocks went up 17-0 last Saturday against Kentucky but got outscored 35-17 in the rest of regulation and overtime to lose 35-34, dropping to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in SEC play. 

This was South Carolina’s second straight choke job at Williams-Brice Stadium after blowing a 16-0 lead against Mississippi State on Sept. 19. 

“Really, really hurt for everyone involved with Gamecock football and certainly a tough, tough night,” head coach Shane Beamer said after the game. “That's a hurt locker room. It's a hurt fan base right now,”

Here are three takeaways from the loss against Kentucky. 

No lead is too safe

One thing has become increasingly clear over the past few conference games. No lead is big enough for this team. 

It was all too predictable. The Gamecocks started strong on both sides of the ball, built their lead, and then all of a sudden, Kentucky started making plays. 

The Wildcats finally had a good drive, put some points on the board, and the Gamecocks just froze. After starting the game with four straight punts, Kentucky's next three drives were touchdown, field goal and touchdown. The team only punted twice more the rest of the game. Every other drive ended in points. 

Meanwhile, the Gamecocks were punting, turning the ball over and getting just enough points from their offense to keep the game tight. 

While Beamer said that sense of dread never hit the team, one could tell the fans in the stadium felt it. Boos rang out from the stands as the crowd thinned. Gamecock nation had seen this dance many times before. 

“I'm sure there was a sense of, uh, oh. Here we go again,” Beamer said. “These guys never flinched.”

While the team was never out of it like they were late in the Mississippi State game, the effort was not nearly good enough to win and is a troubling sign as the schedule remains challenging down the line. 

South Carolina lacks an identity

Five games into the season, and South Carolina still doesn’t look like a team that knows what it wants to be. 

In the first two games, South Carolina saw a lot of success on the ground, running the ball over passing at a notable rate. Things changed against Mississippi State, when the team opted to rely more on its passing attack while trailing.

The team went back to run-first against Alabama, but against Kentucky, plays were evenly split. 

Against the Wildcats, South Carolina started strong on the ground and slowly went away from that as the game progressed. 

The Gamecocks were able to build their 17-0 lead after LaNorris Sellers, Matt Fuller and Jabree Coleman ran all over the Wildcats’ defense. There were more designed QB runs, runs to the outside, straight shots up the middle, and it was all working. 

Sellers rushed 17 times for 147 yards, but was limited to six carries in the second half. Fuller had 49 yards and a touchdown. The team used him less in the second half as well, but went back to him in overtime, leading to the initial go-ahead score. Coleman had just three opportunities all game, rushing for 26 yards. He took no carries after the second quarter. 

When it was all said and done, the Gamecocks may have had a perfect balance of pass and run plays, but in doing so, they failed to reach a flow state. 

It’s not just the offense that lacks an identity, though. In fact, it’s even more obvious on defense. 

In years past, Clayton White’s defense was something the Gamecocks could count on if the offense got started slow. Not this year. 

Through three conference games, South Carolina couldn't stop a nosebleed. The team isn’t generating pressure, the secondary is getting picked apart and the players are missing what should be routine tackles. They are also not generating any takeaways. 

The Gamecocks picked off Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor on their first drive and have since lost the turnover battle 6-0. 

This is something the Gamecocks have been known for under White. But so far in 2026, there are none to be found. 

“We’ve just got to go and make plays,” Beamer said. 

The season is quickly slipping away

South Carolina came into this season under a microscope, and every slip was going to be met with scrutiny. 

The way they’ve lost this season has only added fuel to the fire, and it might only burn hotter. 

Looking ahead, South Carolina’s next two games are against No. 16 Florida and No. 15 Tennessee. The team will have a bye in between. 

After that, the Gamecocks travel to Oklahoma, host Texas A&M, visit Arkansas and then host No. 2 Georgia in the home finale. 

With no glaring changes on the horizon, South Carolina might just ride this year out and see where they land. In the process, fan sentiment and outside interest will quickly fade with each loss. 

Unless a switch flips in the next few weeks, it could be a long rest of the season for the Gamecocks. 

"We got to win football games. I'm not dumb,” Beamer said. “Ultimately, you're judged on wins and losses.”