South Carolina cruised to a 35-13 victory over Kentucky in Week 5, with the Gamecocks' defense proving the difference in a decisive second-quarter stretch. South Carolina's offense was led by quarterback Lanorris Sellers, who completed 153 passing yards and added 81 rushing yards. Mazeo Bennett paced the receiving corps with 7 receptions.

The game's pivotal moment came in the second quarter, when South Carolina's defense forced two devastating turnovers. Jatius Geer returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown, and Gerald Kilgore intercepted a Cutter Boley pass and returned it 45 yards for another score—both plays coming in rapid succession to break open a close contest.

Kentucky struck first with a 10-point opening quarter, including a 53-yard completion from Boley to Willie Rodriguez. But South Carolina answered with 21 unanswered points in the second quarter to seize control. The Gamecocks added a touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the win. South Carolina covered the 5-point spread, and the game went over the 47-point total.