UK football loses to South Carolina without Will Levis: Live score updates, video highlights

LEXINGTON — Kentucky football welcomes South Carolina into town looking to score a bounce-back victory.

Fresh off their first loss of the season at Ole Miss, the No. 13 Wildcats (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) will try to beat the Gamecocks (3-2, 0-2) for a third consecutive year. The teams are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday from Kroger Field.

All eyes this week have been on UK quarterback Will Levis amid reports he could miss Saturday's game due to an undisclosed foot injury he suffered during last week's game in Oxford, Mississippi. Levis also dislocated the middle finger of his left (non-throwing) hand during last week's game in Oxford, Mississippi.

Head coach Mark Stoops on Thursday did not rule Levis out against South Carolina but said, "I don’t know anybody that can predict the future." If Levis is unable to play, redshirt freshman Kaiya Sheron, who starred at Somerset High School, is likely to get the nod at quarterback.

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Kaiya Sheron:Meet the Kentucky football QB who could play Saturday if Will Levis is out

South Carolina arrives in Lexington looking to stretch its two-game winning streak to three. The Gamecocks are scoring 35.6 points per game with Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler under center but surrendered more than 40 points in both of their losses this season, which came against Georgia and Arkansas.

Here's how you can watch and/or listen to Kentucky vs. South Carolina, and follow along with live updates from Lexington below. Once the game starts, check back in for video highlights of all the top plays.

Be sure to hit REFRESH for the latest updates.

FINAL: South Carolina 24, Kentucky 14

Kentucky fell to 4-2 overall and 1-2 against SEC foes with the loss. South Carolina improved to 4-2 (1-2) with the victory, its first against a ranked opponent since the Gamecocks beat Georgia on the road in October 2019.

3 takeaways: Nothing goes right for No. 13 Kentucky football in loss to South Carolina

Kentucky's Kaiya Sheron connects with JuTahn McClain for late touchdown - 02:49, 4Q

Kentucky cut into South Carolina's lead with a 16-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off when Sheron connected with running back JuTahn McClain through the air for a 10-yard touchdown pass. With the score, the Wildcats trailed the Gamecocks 24-14.

South Carolina sends Kentucky fans to the exits with WR reverse touchdown - 07:02, 4Q

Kentucky fans began leaving Kroger Field en masse after a 24-yard touchdown run from South Carolina's Jalen Brooks on a wide receiver reverse. The Gamecocks extended their lead to 24-7 with the score.

Big gain sets up South Carolina field goal; Gamecocks extend lead vs. Kentucky - 2:38, 3Q

A 28-yard pass from Rattler to Brooks set South Carolina up at Kentucky's 21-yard line. The Gamecocks couldn't get into the end zone but extended their lead to 17-7 on a 32-yard field goal from Mitch Jeter.

South Carolina regains lead vs. Kentucky with 42-yard screen pass touchdown - 12:47, 3Q

South Carolina wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. caught a screen pass from Rattler and got loose for a 42-yard touchdown. The score capped off a six-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half for the Gamecocks, who took a 14-7 lead over the Wildcats on the ensuing extra-point attempt.

HALF: Kentucky 7, South Carolina 7

With South Carolina's offense driving into Kentucky territory during the final minutes before halftime, defensive back Trevin Wallace intercepted Rattler on the Wildcats' 13-yard line to end any chance the Gamecocks had at taking the lead before intermission.

At the half, UK senior running back Chris Rodriguez had 97 yards on 16 carries. In his first collegiate start, Sheron completed five of his nine pass attempts for 36 yards and a touchdown before the break.

Kentucky draws level vs. South Carolina when Kaiya Sheron connects with Jordan Dingle for TD - 8:30, 2Q

Sheron's first career touchdown pass went 16 yards to redshirt freshman tight end Jordan Dingle. With the score, Kentucky capped off a seven-play, 56-yard drive and tied the game at 7-7.

Kentucky's defense comes up with fourth-down stop vs. South Carolina - 11:53, 2Q

With South Carolina trying to extend its lead to two scores, Kentucky's defense came up with a crucial stop on fourth and 2 at its own 40-yard line. Linebackers J.J. Weaver and D’Eryk Jackson and defensive back Keidron Smith combined to bring down tailback MarShawn Lloyd for a 4-yard loss on the play.

Kentucky's Matt Ruffolo misses 45-yard field-goal attempt - 1:22, 1Q

With Sheron under center, the Wildcats drove the ball to South Carolina's 27-yard line but stalled there. Called upon to try a 45-yard field goal, Matt Ruffolo's kick clanged off the left upright. Ruffolo entered Saturday's game having made seven of his nine field-goal attempts, including a long of 50 yards.

South Carolina blocks Kentucky punt; Wildcats force turnover in red zone - 07:09, 1Q

On fourth down and 9, South Carolina blocked a punt by Kentucky's Colin Goodfellow and recovered the ball on the Wildcats' 22-yard line. The Gamecocks have blocked five punts this season, which according to ESPN is the most in the country.

UK caught a big break, however, when defensive back Tyrell Ajian forced Rattler to fumble, and linebacker Weaver recovered on his team's 21-yard line.

South Carolina strikes first vs. Kentucky after Wildcats fumble on first play - 14:47, 1Q

Kentucky called a reverse on its first play from scrimmage, and South Carolina recovered a botched handoff from Rodriguez to wide receiver Barion Brown. The Gamecocks took possession on the Wildcats' 2-yard line, and Lloyd found the end zone on the next play to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

J.J. Weaver returns from injury for Kentucky football vs. South Carolina; Jacquez Jones, Jeremy Flax out

A Louisville native Weaver is returning to the starting lineup against South Carolina. The junior linebacker suffered an undisclosed upper-body injury during the Wildcats' game against Youngstown State on Sept. 17 and did not play against Northern Illinois or Ole Miss.

Kentucky will be without another linebacker, however. Graduate transfer Jacquez Jones won't play against the Gamecocks. ESPN's Molly McGrath reported that Jones suffered a left foot injury last week against the Rebels.

The Wildcats will also be turning to a backup on the offensive line. Deondre Buford will start in place of injured right tackle Jeremy Flax.

Is Will Levis playing tonight? Update on Kentucky quarterback's status vs. South Carolina

With less than an hour until kickoff, the SEC Network reported that Levis will not suit up for the Wildcats against the Gamecocks. Wearing sweatpants, the starting quarterback was seen walking around in a boot during pregame warmups, while backups Sheron and Deuce Hogan threw passes to wide receivers.

How to watch Kentucky football vs. South Carolina on TV, livestream

Game time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)

TV: SEC Network

Online livestream: ESPN.com/watch

Terrestrial radio broadcast: 840-AM in Louisville; 630-AM, 98.1-FM in Lexington

Online radio broadcast: UKAthletics.com

UK football vs. South Carolina spread, betting odds

Kentucky is favored by 5.5 points as of 12:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the VegasInsider.com consensus line.

Kentucky football vs. South Carolina:Betting line, 3 things to know before picking

Kentucky football vs. South Carolina: Live score updates

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Reach recruiting and trending sports reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: UK football vs. South Carolina: Live score updates, video highlights