COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — John Mateer threw for 150 yards and a touchdown while the defense sacked Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers six times, had two interceptions and a safety to get back to their winning ways.

Oklahoma (6-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) recovered from its loss to Texas with a steady, mistake-free offense and a best-in-thenation defense to beat the Gamecocks (3-4, 1-4).

Mateer led touchdown drives of 75 and 92 yards and the Sooners held on fourth-and-goal from their own 5 for a 14-0 lead.

Tory Blaylock had an 18-yard touchdown run to open the scoring and Xavier Robinson bullied his way into the end zone from 10 yards out to take a two-touchdown lead.

“For the most part, all day, the pile was moving in the Sooners’ favor. … (I’m) really proud of the guys, the toughness that they showed up with today,” head coach Brent Venables said to ESPN.

Venables said that his pregame message to his running backs and offensive line translated.

“We tried to paint that picture to our guys — just one yard at a time, one series at a time, one play at a time,” Venables said to ESPN. “And by the time the fourth quarter comes around, we’re going to like the results.” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables appreciated his team’s courage and toughness in dismissing outside noise and focusing on South Carolina.

“Whenever anybody questioned our team from a week ago, our guys had the ability to block it out,” Venables said.

Oklahoma came in leading the nation in yards allowed at 193 and kept the pressure up against the Gamecocks. Defensive end Taylor Wein sniffed out a fake punt pass by South Carolina’s Mason Love and got the interception. Five plays later, Mateer found Isaiah Sategna III for a 20-yard TD and a 24-7 lead.

Then again, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables knows how to lock down South Carolina at home. He went 4-1 at Williams-Brice Stadium as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, and his group held the Gamecocks to an average of 285 yards and four points in Venables’ last three times in the building.

Sellers, a projected NFL first-round draft pick, finished with 124 yards passing. As a parting shot, Oklahoma defensive tackle Markus Strong tackled tailback Matt Fuller in the end zone for a safety with about four minutes left.

“We’re a hungry team, a team that’s on a mission,” redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Taylor Wein said. “The defense was just fired up and ready to play the second half.”

Blaylock ran for 101 yards and Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell matched his career long with a 55-yard field goal.

After the win, OU moved up one spot to No. 13 in the latest AP Poll.

Oklahoma is No. 11 in the most recent US LBM Coaches Poll that was also released on Sunday.

Like they do in the Coaches Poll, the Ohio State Buckeyes are the No. 1 team. The top nine are the same in both polls, and the Oklahoma Sooners will play the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels this week in Norman in a huge top 15 matchup.

Up Next Oklahoma returns home to face No. 5 Ole Miss on Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on ABC