LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — LaNorris Sellers threw two touchdown passes, Nick Emmanwori returned one of South Carolina’s two interceptions for another score and the Gamecocks held Kentucky to just 183 yards for a 31-6 victory to open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday.
Raheim Sanders rushed for a 21-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to help break the game open for South Carolina (2-0) in the SEC’s lone head-to-head matchup. For one week, the Gamecocks sit atop the expanded 16-team league and can thank their opportunistic defense for helping make it possible in the nationally televised game.
Emmanwori’s 24-yard pick-6 to start the fourth quarter effectively sealed their third consecutive win over the Wildcats (1-1). Jalon Kilgore followed with an interception of backup Gavin Wimsatt, giving the Gamecocks four through two games.
Alex Raynor kicked field goals of 32 and 39 just before halftime for Kentucky.
South Carolina also rang up five sacks, capping a defensive performance that held Kentucky to just 44 yards passing.
South Carolina led throughout thanks to Sellers, who threw TD passes of 24 yards to wide-open Mazeo Bennett Jr. in the first quarter and 16 to Joshua Simon in the third to make 17-6. Sellers completed 11 of 15 for 159 yards with an interception to lead an offense that gained just 252 yards but did what it had to.
KEY TAKEAWAY
South Carolina continued its fierce defensive play with a backfield presence that harassed Brock Vandagriff early and often and blew up other plays before they could develop. That helped Sellers’ early touchdown stand long enough for the Gamecocks to add another TD coming out of the break.
Kentucky struggled in most every phase and is left with a lot to correct before facing Georgia. Even before losing left guard Jager Burton and right tackle Gerald Mincey to injuries, the offensive line struggled to protect Vandagriff and never got the passing game going. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye rushed 17 times for 70 of the Wildcats’ 139 yards, but the Wildcats couldn’t reach the end zone.
UP NEXT
South Carolina hosts No. 18 LSU on Saturday.
Kentucky hosts No. 1 Georgia on Saturday.
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