GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — LaNorris Sellers accounted for five touchdowns and South Carolina beat Florida 38-19 on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game. The announced attendance was 90,311. South Carolina improved to 3-3, while Florida fell to 4-2. The Gamecocks, playing as the visiting team, controlled the second half and pulled away after a competitive opening period. The Gators, playing at home, could not keep pace once South Carolina’s offense found a rhythm behind Sellers and a balanced group of receivers. The win gave South Carolina a much-needed conference road victory.

Florida opened the scoring in the first quarter when Aaron Philo completed a short pass to Bailey Stockton, who caught the ball near the South Carolina 40 and went 59 yards for a touchdown. Patrick Durkin’s extra point gave the Gators an early lead. South Carolina’s first scoring chance ended with Malik Orsan missing a 47-yard field goal. The Gamecocks answered late in the quarter when Sellers found Nyck Harbor for a 15-yard touchdown. Orsan made the extra point, and the teams were tied after the opening period. The drive gave South Carolina momentum after a slow start on the road.

In the second quarter, Florida moved ahead again on Durkin’s 21-yard field goal. South Carolina responded with Orsan’s 37-yard field goal and then took the lead when Sellers connected with Mazeo Bennett Jr. on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Durkin had a chance to cut into the deficit before halftime, but his 43-yard field goal attempt was no good. South Carolina carried a 17-10 lead into the break after Sellers guided the Gamecocks on two scoring drives and the defense kept Florida out of the end zone. The Gamecocks’ defense tightened near the goal line, forcing the Gators to settle for three points on their only successful second-quarter drive.

The third quarter belonged largely to South Carolina. Durkin made a 48-yard field goal for Florida, but the Gamecocks answered with two touchdowns. Sellers threw a 26-yard scoring pass to Donovan Murph, then capped another drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Orsan made both extra points, and South Carolina led 31-13 going into the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks’ offensive line created enough room for Sellers and the running game, while the defense limited Florida’s chances after the Gators’ early success. South Carolina’s ability to finish drives in the red zone made the difference as the game wore on.

South Carolina added one more touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Sellers threw a 21-yard pass to Lex Cyrus. Florida scored late on J. Baugh’s 2-yard run, but Tramell Jones Jr.’s pass on the two-point attempt failed. The Gators could not recover an onside kick or generate another scoring drive, and the Gamecocks ran out the clock for a 38-19 victory. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for South Carolina and handed Florida another conference loss. South Carolina finished with a balanced offensive effort and a defense that made enough plays in key moments.

Sellers completed 23 of 35 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran 14 times for 20 yards and one touchdown. His favorite targets were spread across the field. Harbor had four receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Bennett caught seven passes for 35 yards and a score. Murph added two receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown. Cyrus had two catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. DJ Black contributed three receptions for 42 yards, and Maurice Brown II had two catches for 23 yards. The Gamecocks also got production from their tight ends and receivers in short-yardage situations. South Carolina’s passing game clicked in the second half, and Sellers avoided turnovers while making throws at all three levels.

Florida’s Aaron Philo completed 21 of 28 passes for 227 yards and one touchdown. He ran 13 times for 32 yards. Tramell Jones Jr. completed 6 of 8 passes for 40 yards and ran twice for 17 yards. Micah Mays Jr. caught one pass for 8 yards, Luke Harpring had two receptions for 7 yards, and Lacota Dippre added one catch for 9 yards. The Gators moved the ball at times, but drives stalled in the red zone and the offense settled for field goals in the first half. Florida’s running game also struggled to break off long gains, leaving the offense to rely on Philo’s arm and short completions.

Florida’s defense was led by Myles Graham, who recorded eight tackles, two sacks and two quarterback hurries. Aaron Chiles had nine tackles. Jaden Robinson finished with six tackles and one quarterback hurry. Cormani McClain added six tackles, while Bryce Thornton had five. DJ Coleman and Alfonzo Allen Jr. each recorded four tackles, and Kanye Clark had three. The Gators generated pressure at times, but Sellers avoided turnovers and made key throws on third down and in the red zone. Florida’s defense also had trouble containing Harbor and Bennett on crossing routes and quick passes.

South Carolina’s defense produced several important stops. Peyton Williams led the Gamecocks with seven tackles. Justin Okoronkwo had six tackles and an interception. Shawn Murphy also recorded six tackles. Dylan Stewart finished with five tackles and one sack. Anthony Addison had five tackles and one quarterback hurry. Fred Johnson and Damarcus Leach each added five tackles. Caleb Herring contributed three tackles and one sack, while Troy Pikes had one tackle and one sack. Vicari Swain recorded one tackle and one interception. Gerald Kilgore had three tackles, Judge Collier had two, and George Wilson Jr., Donovan Darden, Aiden Harris, J’Zavien Currence, David Bucey, Kendall Daniels Jr., Tomiwa Durojaiye and Kelby Collins each finished with two or more tackles. Keenan Britt, Kelvin Hunter, Jackson Burger, Jordan Thomas and Ethan Johnson also contributed tackles, and Mason Love punted four times for 149 yards. Jamian Risher Jr. and Jawarn Howell also contributed, with Risher making four tackles and Howell rushing four times for 6 yards.

The result continued a recent stretch for both programs. South Carolina had lost to Kentucky in overtime, Alabama and Mississippi State, while beating Towson and Kent State earlier in the season. Florida had defeated Ole Miss, Auburn, Campbell and Florida Atlantic before falling to Missouri. South Carolina next hosts Tennessee, while Florida next visits Texas. Both teams will look to build on or correct their performances as the conference schedule continues. The Gamecocks will take confidence from a road win, while the Gators will try to fix red-zone issues before their next matchup.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Florida 36, South Carolina 32. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Florida with an 84.4 percent probability to win. South Carolina had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +10.5. The total score of 57 went over the over/under line of 58.5.