LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky is feeling good about itself heading into its matchup with South Carolina after the Wildcats stumbled out of the gate to start the season.The Wildcats (1-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) enter Saturday nights game against the Gamecocks (2-1, 1-1) having won the past two in the series. A third win puts Kentucky at .500 overall and in the conference, scenarios that seemed farfetched after their second-half collapse against Southern Mississippi and 45-7 pummeling at Florida on Sept. 10.But Kentucky is looking to build off a victory that wasnt pretty but offered encouragement.We have shown that we can play some good football, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said this week. I believe in these players and I hope the fans do as well. Its a long season and we will get better in certain areas, there is no doubt about that.Kentuckys offensive prospects appear brighter after breaking a 35-all halftime tie to pull away for a wild 62-42 win over New Mexico State last week. The Wildcats gained 692 yards in that game, and the backup quarterback who led the way is now in charge for the foreseeable future.Junior Stephen Johnson will make his first start for the Wildcats after replacing Drew Barker, whos out indefinitely with a back injury sustained on last weeks first drive. The transfer shook off a rough beginning to complete 17 of 22 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns to help Kentucky avoid an 0-3 start. And hes eager to show the effort was just the beginning.It went pretty well, I guess, Johnson said of his relief performance, which included 51 yards rushing. Were just going to try and do what we can on offense in moving the ball and game plan as well as we can.South Carolina enters with a young QB also coming off a strong performance.Freshman Brandon McIlwain threw for 195 yards and rushed for two touchdowns in his first start as the Gamecocks topped East Carolina 20-15 . First-year coach Will Muschamp praised McIlwains maturity during his steady rise into becoming the starter, poise that has positioned South Carolina to match last years victory total.How you carry yourself tells a lot about who you are, the coach said. You build confidence, and hes done nothing but build it since hes been here.---Some other things to watch on Saturday night when Kentucky hosts South Carolina:GET IT TOGETHER: Stoops blasted his defense after Wednesdays practice and even used crap to describe the days uneven performance typifying their season. Kentuckys NCAA rankings have given him reason to be frustrated: the Wildcats are 122nd of 128 FBS schools in total defense (528.0 yards) and scoring defense (43.7 points). One upside is theyre tied for fifth nationally with six interceptions.RED-ZONE STINGINESS: The Gamecocks lead the SEC and rank seventh nationally in red zone defense with just five TDs and four field goals allowed on 16 opportunities. South Carolina denied East Carolina on four of six scoring opportunities inside the 20 last week and forced three turnovers inside the 5.BEVY OF BACKS: Kentuckys backfield depth showed against New Mexico State as Stanley Boom Williams rushed for 181 yards on 18 carries while freshman Benny Snell chipped in 136 yards and four TDs on 17 attempts. The Wildcats 381 ground yards were the most since November against Charlotte, when Williams and Jojo Kemp each rushed for at least 140 to lead a 415-yard effort.ROAD TESTED: South Carolina will play its third game in four weeks before returning to Columbia for five home contests in six weeks. The Gamecocks have lost two of their last three visits to Lexington but Muschamp downplayed those recent struggles and added, its what you make of it. Go play well and coach well.---AP College Football: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Gary B. Graves on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GaryBGravesStitched Soccer Jerseys . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Soccer Jerseys China . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Replica Soccer Jerseys . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys China . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. GREENVILLE, N.C. -- First-year ECU coach Scottie Montgomery isnt trying to turn the Pirates into Duke East.The Pirates hired Montgomery from the Blue Devils staff after last season and want him to rebuild the program his own way, and not necessarily by duplicating what his Duke teams did.The 38-year-old Montgomery, brought in to replace the fired Ruffin McNeill, spent two seasons as Dukes offensive coordinator and was on his alma maters staff from 2013-15 after a three-year run coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers receivers.People (said) when I left Pittsburgh to come back to Duke that we were going to look like (the Steelers), Montgomery said. The problem was, we didnt have (star receivers) Antonio Brown or Mike Wallace. ... Its different. Our fundamental beliefs about doing things the right way and serving our community will be similar, the way that we hold our kids accountable will be similar. But thats where a lot of the similarities will stop.The key difference might be this: While Montgomerys most recent Duke team ran its quarterback often, that probably wont be the formula with the Pirates. So dont expect transfer Philip Nelson to lead East Carolina in rushing like Thomas Sirk did with the Blue Devils.Nelson threw for 2,179 yards and 17 touchdowns in 16 starts for Minnesota from 2012-13, transferred to Rutgers with the hope of playing in a pass-friendly system but was dismissed from the team days after his involvement in a nightclub fight that left another man with a serious brain injury.The 22-year-old walked on at East Carolina before last season, earned a scholarship from Montgomery, won the job during spring ball and saw some of his competitors leave the program.Ive had some really good quarterbacks, offensive coordinator Tony Petersen said.dddddddddddd Theres not a negative (in his game). Hes just going to keep getting better and better.KEY TARGETSKeep an eye on two players that the Pirates figure to feature: WR Zay Jones and jack-of-all-trades James Summers. Jones enters the season at No. 3 on the schools career lists for receptions (241) and yards receiving (2,553). Summers has played receiver and quarterback -- making four starts in 2015, and rushing for 169 yards in a victory over Virginia Tech -- and also practiced at running back and tight end. We think that he has position flexibility, Montgomery said before reeling off a list of the spots he could play. Ive never been able to say that about any kid that Ive ever coached. Ever. In any situation.SEASON OPENERMontgomerys debut, and Nelsons first start in three years, comes Sept. 3 when the Pirates play host to Western Carolina of the FCS.KEY GAMESThe chip-on-the-shoulder Pirates always get fired up to take on Power 5 opponents, and they face three in a row before beginning American Athletic Conference play. East Carolina plays host to North Carolina State on Sept. 10, followed by trips to South Carolina and Virginia Tech. The Pirates have won two straight in their series with both the Wolfpack and Hokies.PREDICTIONThe Pirates were picked fifth in the Americans six-team East Division. With that brutal nonconference schedule and in an improved league, a second straight 5-7 finish might be considered a good year as they continue their transition from McNeill to Montgomery. ' ' '