For their first Belt defense since 1989, the 10^th ranked, 4-1 South Carolina Gamecocks of coach Steve Spurrier traveled to Lexington to battle the 3-3 Kentucky Wildcats of coach Joker Phillips.  The Wildcats played a dominating half of football as they shutout the Gamecocks while scoring 21 points to post a 31-28 upset to claim their first Belt reign.  The first half belonged to South Carolina as the Gamecocks found the end zone 4 times.  All-SEC RB Marcus Lattimore capped South Carolina's opening dive with a 30-yard touchdown run to give the Gamecocks a 7-0 lead.  Their second drive was just as successful as South Carolina drove 88 yards in 9 plays highlighted by the passing of QB Stephen Garcia.  Garcia completed passes of 42 yards to WR Ace Sanders & 30 yards to Lattimore before connecting on a 3-yard touchdown pass with All-SEC WR Alshon Jeffery for a 14-0 lead.  Early in the 2^nd quarter, Kentucky got on the board with a 10-yard touchdown pass from QB Mike Hartline to WR La'Rod King.  The 56-yard drive was set-up when Wildcats' S Winston Guy intercepted Garcia.  The turnover proved to be just a hiccup for the Gamecocks as Lattimore finished a 7-play, 77-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run for a 21-7 advantage.  Kentucky converted another turnover, this one a fumbled punt from South Carolina's All-SEC CB Stephon Gilmore which was recovered by Wildcats' TE Tyler Robinson, into a 26-yard field goal from PK Craig McIntosh.  The Gamecocks closed the first half with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Lattimore for a 28-10 lead & South Carolina seemed ready to move on to the next Belt defense but Kentucky was ready to fight for another half.  After the team traded punt to open the 3^rd quarter, the Wildcats put together a 14-play, 95-yard drive with Hartline throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to King leaving Kentucky trailing 28-17.  Another 3-play drive from the Gamecocks kept the Wildcats with momentum & they drove 76 yards in 8 plays with Hartline throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass to WR Chris Matthews for a 28-23 score as the 2-point conversion attempt failed but with 13:03 to play, both teams would have opportunities to finish this meeting by holding The Belt.  South Carolina punted 2 more times before Kentucky took possession at their own 32-yard line with 7:31 to play.  Hartline completed 6 of 7 pass attempts for 67 yards & he found All-American WR Randall Cobb on a 24-yard touchdown pass with 1:15 to play.  When Cobb carried in on the conversion attempt, the Wildcats had a 31-28 lead.  The Gamecocks drove to Kentucky 20-yard line but with 0:04 left, Garcia's pass was intercepted by Wildcats' CB Anthony Mosley at the goal-line to secure the win.  Hartline finished with 349 yards passing with 4 touchdowns while Matthews made 12 catches for 177 yards with a score.  Garcia threw for 382 yards with 2 touchdowns but 2 interceptions while Lattimore made 4 catches for 133 yards with a score in the loss.  South Carolina finished the season 9-5, ranked 22^nd nationally while Kentucky finished 6-7.  The Gamecocks would play for The Belt again in 4 weeks.