The South Carolina football defense won’t have to deal with Kentucky Wildcats running back Chip Trayanum this weekend as he is still out with an injury.
A key matchup on the 2024 South Carolina football schedule is approaching this weekend, as the Gamecocks will face the Kentucky Wildcats on the road in Lexington.
This game could be crucial for both teams, as the winner will gain a significant advantage in their quest for bowl eligibility. Both USC and UK are currently 1-0, with South Carolina having defeated Old Dominion and Kentucky securing a win over Southern Miss, setting up a critical contest at Commonwealth Stadium.
In closely contested games like this one, injuries often play a significant role, and that’s certainly true for the South Carolina-Kentucky matchup.
UK head coach Mark Stoops disclosed on his weekly radio show that his top running back, Chip Trayanum, a transfer from Ohio State, will not play this weekend due to a broken hand he sustained during preseason practice. It was anticipated that Trayanum would miss the Wildcats’ opener and potentially the second game as well, and this has now been confirmed.
With Trayanum sidelined, Demie Sumo-Karngbaye stepped up as the leading rusher in the season opener, accumulating 59 yards on 8 carries. He is expected to be the primary running back again on Saturday. However, Jason Patterson will also see some action at running back, and starting quarterback Brock Vandagriff along with dynamic wide receiver Barion Brown could contribute to the running game as well.
South Carolina is also dealing with injuries, but head coach Shane Beamer is likely to keep specifics under wraps until the official league injury report is released on Wednesday. Further updates could be provided on Thursday, Friday, and up to 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday, so fans may not get a clear picture of the Gamecocks’ health until game day.
