# SEC Morning Report: Kentucky's Third-Down Problem Looms Over Trip to South Carolina

**Published:** 2026-09-30 — **By:** Stacy Stanfield
**Category:** daily-roundup — **Type:** daily-roundup
**Source:** https://secscouts.com/news/sec-morning-report-kentucky-third-down-problem-south-carolina

**Teams:** [Alabama](https://secscouts.com/alabama/), [Arkansas](https://secscouts.com/arkansas/), [Auburn](https://secscouts.com/auburn/), [Georgia](https://secscouts.com/georgia/), [Kentucky](https://secscouts.com/kentucky/), [LSU](https://secscouts.com/lsu/), [Miss State](https://secscouts.com/mississippi-state/), [Oklahoma](https://secscouts.com/oklahoma/), [Ole Miss](https://secscouts.com/ole-miss/), [Texas A&M](https://secscouts.com/texas-am/), [Vanderbilt](https://secscouts.com/vanderbilt/)


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## LEAD STORY: Kentucky Must Fix Third Downs Before SEC Play Heats Up

Kentucky finished September at 3-1, halfway to bowl eligibility, and it can move the ball. The Wildcats average more than 200 rushing yards and 34.5 points per game. One number keeps the start from looking better: third-down efficiency. Kentucky ranks among the worst teams in the country on third down on both sides of the ball.

National rankings compiled by SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) after Week 4 put Kentucky's third-down offense at **No. 138**, last in the SEC. The Wildcats have converted just **9 of 39 attempts (23.1%)** through four games. The defense doesn't help much. Kentucky ranks **No. 118** nationally in third-down defense, also last in the conference, and opponents have converted **26 of 58 (44.8%)**. The rest of the league looks very different. LSU (No. 15), Georgia (No. 16) and a three-way tie at No. 20 among Auburn, Mississippi State and Texas lead the SEC offensively. Alabama and Oklahoma share the nation's No. 4 spot on defense, with Texas A&M close behind at No. 10.

Those numbers point to two problems: Kentucky can't extend drives, and it can't get its defense off the field. A strong rushing attack can make up for some of that against lesser opponents, but conference play gives Kentucky much less room for error. The next test comes Saturday at South Carolina, which ranks No. 63 in third-down offense and No. 75 in third-down defense.

## QUICK HITS

- **Missouri's pass rush is banged up before its Homecoming game against Florida.** No. 25 Missouri may be without its top two edge rushers against No. 8 Florida. Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen are both listed as questionable with lower-body injuries. Smith sat out the loss to Mississippi State, and Kitchen left that game early. Smith had 12 pressures in the first two weeks and Kitchen had seven. Daeden Hopkins will take on an even bigger role after being named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. He has **21 pressures and eight sacks in four games**. Malik Bryant, Jaden Jones, Kamauryn Morgan and Demarcus Johnson are in line for more snaps.

- **Chris Cole's scoop-and-score is still going around.** ESPN's SkyCast angle of Chris Cole's fumble return for a touchdown in Georgia's September 26 game against Oklahoma at Sanford Stadium is circulating on social media. The Bulldogs host Vanderbilt for Homecoming next. Georgia defensive lineman JJ Hanne, a native of Germany, is also getting attention as one of the program's European players.

- **SEC golf teams won two titles.** Ole Miss men's golf won the Bryan Bros Collegiate in West Columbia, S.C., at 833 (-19) for its first title of the season. Collins Trolio clinched it with a putt on the 18th hole. No. 11 Alabama rallied in the final round to win the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational at even-par 840 (274-282-284).

- **Weekly swimming honor.** Alabama's Cadence Vincent was named SEC Co-Swimmer of the Week, the league's first swimming award of the season. She shares it with South Carolina's Delaney Franklin.

- **Former SEC players in the NFL.** Former LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane had a strong game against Miami in his first full game of the season for Kansas City. Linebacker Harold Perkins had his second straight standout week for Atlanta as his snap count went up. Receiver Zavion Thomas caught the first pass of his NFL career for Chicago.

- **Arkansas gymnastics released its 2027 schedule.** The Gymbacks' full slate for the program's 25th season is set, and competition starts in January.

## PORTAL WATCH

The transfer portal was quiet overnight. No SEC-related portal activity was reported in the last 12 hours.

## RECRUITING BUZZ

No new SEC commitments were reported in the last 12 hours.

## GAMES TO WATCH

No SEC events are scheduled today, but several matchups are coming up:

- **Vanderbilt at LSU (midweek):** The Commodores travel to Baton Rouge for a midweek game against the Tigers.
- **Kentucky at South Carolina (Saturday):** Kentucky's third-down struggles will be tested on the road.
- **No. 8 Florida at No. 25 Missouri (Saturday, Homecoming):** Missouri's availability at edge rusher could decide how well it handles Florida's running game.
- **Vanderbilt at Georgia (Saturday, Homecoming):** Georgia plays at home again after its win over Oklahoma.
- **Oklahoma softball fall opener (Saturday):** The Sooners start fall play with the first of four Battle Series games and a game against Tarleton State.

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*Original article: [SEC Morning Report: Kentucky's Third-Down Problem Looms Over Trip to South Carolina](https://secscouts.com/news/sec-morning-report-kentucky-third-down-problem-south-carolina) — SEC Scouts*