In a game of contrasting quarterbacks in terms of experience, the veteran pulled his offense together in the second half. And along the way, Shane Beamer picked up his first win over a ranked opponent.

The Gamecocks scored 17 points in the second half and prevailed 24-14 in Lexington to knock off the No. 13 Wildcats, and give them a second straight loss. The last time an unranked South Carolina team beat a ranked opponent by at least 3 scores came in 2009 against No. 15 Clemson. Perhaps the biggest stat of the night was South Carolina doubled its sack total (4) for the season.

Spencer Rattler shook off a lackluster first half when he was 6-for-9 passing for 49 yards. He had 4 carries and lost a yard rushing.

Since Will Levis wore a walking boot during the pregame activities, Kaiya Sheron got the start at QB for the Wildcats. In the first half, he was 5-for-9 passing for 36 yards and a touchdown. He connected with Jordan Dingle for 16 yards over the middle in the end zone. But outside of that drive, Kentucky’s offense left something to be desired as the Wildcats, at one point, saw 5 straight drives end with a punt.

In the second half, Rattler sparked the South Carolina offense when he found Juice Wells on a screen pass that went 42 yards for a touchdown.

MarShawn Lloyd contributed plenty to the offense with 21 carries for 107 yards, including a 45-yarder. He also made 2 catches for 31 yards. Likewise on the other side, Chris Rodriguez filled his customary role as star running back with 22 carries for 126 yards.

To start the game, South Carolina didn’t waste any time as Tonka Hemingway blew up Kentucky’s first play from scrimmage. Rodriguez took the handoff, pitched to a receiver, but fumbled as Hemingway scooped up the ball and rumbled to the 2-yard line. MarShawn Lloyd scored a play later as South Carolina got off to a great start in Lexington.

A theme for South Carolina continued in the first quarter. The Gamecocks blocked a fifth punt, which leads the country. But the Gamecocks couldn’t capitalize on it.

That’s because Kentucky then got its own momentum when it forced a fumble of Rattler on a sack by Tyrell Ajian. But a 9-play drive ended with a missed field goal when Matt Ruffolo’s 45-yard field goal attempt banged off the left upright.

Late in the second half, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops gave an earful to the officiating crew after a flag was picked up for an illegal formation against South Carolina. And then there was missed hands to the face call, and a shove from a South Carolina player on the next play.

Kentucky gave a final burst with an impressive 16-play scoring drive to tack on a touchdown with 2:49 remaining when Sheron connected with JuTahn McClain for a 10-yard touchdown.