Kentucky wins 35–34 in overtime on Minchey’s two-point pass

Kentucky completed a comeback from 17 points down with a two-point conversion in overtime Saturday, beating South Carolina 35–34 in Columbia. Kenny Minchey’s six-yard touchdown pass to Henry Boyer brought the Wildcats within a point, and his pass to Willie Rodriguez on the conversion ended the game.

The Wildcats chose the chance to win immediately after South Carolina had scored first in overtime. LaNorris Sellers’ five-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Brown II and the extra point put the Gamecocks ahead 34–27. Kentucky answered with Boyer’s touchdown, then converted instead of kicking to extend the game.

Kentucky improved to 4–1 overall and 2–1 in the SEC. South Carolina fell to 2–3 and 0–3. Nick Roush of KSR reported that the victory ended Kentucky’s four-game losing streak against the Gamecocks, with its previous win in the series coming in 2021.

South Carolina had controlled the early scoring. Matt Fuller scored on a six-yard run in the first quarter, and Jabree Coleman followed with a four-yard touchdown. Malik Orsan’s 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter built the lead to 17–0.

Kentucky got back into the game before halftime. CJ Baxter scored from three yards with 2:47 remaining in the second quarter, and Adam Zouagui made a 42-yard field goal with 59 seconds left. Orsan answered with a 48-yarder just before the break, sending South Carolina into halftime ahead 20–10.

Minchey changed the lead in the third quarter with two touchdown passes. A 17-yard throw to Kenny Darby cut the deficit to three. His 32-yard pass to Nic Anderson with 40 seconds left in the period put Kentucky ahead 24–20, completing a run of 24 points after the Wildcats’ scoreless start.

South Carolina reclaimed the advantage when Sellers found DJ Black for a 15-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Kentucky later stopped the Gamecocks on fourth down and drove into scoring range. Zouagui’s 29-yard field goal with 4:13 remaining tied it at 27.

Neither team scored again in regulation, leaving the game to the two overtime possessions. Minchey finished 28 of 41 for 272 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Darby caught 12 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown; Anderson had five receptions for 80 yards and a score. Boyer’s only catch supplied the overtime touchdown.

Sellers completed 20 of 36 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. He also led all rushers with 147 yards on 17 carries. South Carolina totaled 458 yards to Kentucky’s 394, but lost two fumbles and failed on both fourth-down attempts.

Kentucky committed no turnovers and converted both of its fourth downs. Those possessions helped it survive the early deficit and reach the final play with a choice between another overtime and a winning conversion. Minchey and Rodriguez finished the comeback before South Carolina could get the ball again.