Spencer Rattler overcame a lethargic start to spark South Carolina to a 24-14 upset of No. 13 Kentucky in a Southeastern Conference matchup Saturday night in Lexington, Ky.

Rattler passed for 128 yards in the second half to finish with 177 for the game for the Gamecocks (4-2, 1-2 SEC). He completed 14 of 19 passes, including a short toss to Antwane Wells Jr. for a 42-yard catch-and-run score.

MarShawn Lloyd eclipsed 100 yards on the ground for the second time this season with 110 on 22 carries and scored on a 2-yard run on South Carolina’s first possession. Jalen Brooks scored on a 24-yard run with 7:02 remaining to clinch the victory.

With starting quarterback Will Levis sidelined by an apparent foot injury, Chris Rodriguez Jr. carried the brunt of the offense for the Wildcats (4-2, 1-2) by rushing for 126 yards. Backup quarterback Kaiya Sheron, a redshirt freshman, passed for 178 yards and was sacked six times.

He had touchdown passes of 16 yards to Jordan Dingle in the second quarter and of 10 yards to JuTahn McClain late in the fourth.

After a disastrous first quarter that started with the Wildcats mishandling an exchange on their first play to give the Gamecocks a short field for a touchdown, Kentucky managed a 7-7 tie at the break on Dingle’s touchdown.

The Wildcats also had a punt blocked, and Matt Ruffolo missed a 45-yard field goal attempt in the opening 15 minutes.

The Gamecocks took advantage of the Wildcats’ turnover for an early score, but they missed an opportunity to add to their lead when Rattler lost a fumble just three plays after King-Demenian Ford’s blocked punt gave South Carolina the ball at the Kentucky 22-yard line.

The Gamecocks finished the first half with just 90 yards in total offense while Rodriguez alone had 98 yards — 97 on 16 rushes — for Kentucky. South Carolina went on to finish with 356 yards for the game, while Kentucky racked up 299.

–Field Level Media