The University of South Carolina football team coughed up a 28-0 lead against unranked Vanderbilt this weekend … but managed to hang on for the win thanks to a late interception and some tough running down the stretch from its backup tailback.
The No. 13/14 Gamecocks (2-1, 1-1 SEC) were on their heels in the fourth quarter when the Commodores (1-2, 0-2 SEC) reeled off fifteen points in thirteen seconds to pull within two scores. Vandy was five yards away from making it a one-score game when senior cornerback Jimmy Legree intercepted a slant pass from Austyn Carta-Samuels with just under nine minutes left – giving head coach Steve Spurrier’s team the ball at the one-foot line.
Led by backup tailback Brandon Wilds, South Carolina’s offense advanced 64 yards on 17 plays – running 7:46 off of the clock and putting the kibosh on head coach James Franklin’s upset hopes.
South Carolina has now won five straight against Vanderbilt – while extending its home winning streak to thirteen games (the third-longest streak in the nation).
One-time Heisman Trophy frontrunner Jadeveon Clowney recorded his second sack in as many games against Vandy – and got his first forced fumble of the season. But the big star of the game was senior quarterback Connor Shaw – who threw for 284 yards and 3 touchdowns with no turnovers. Shaw also ran for another 84 yards on 19 carries – moving to 19-4 as South Carolina’s starting quarterback.
South Carolina scored touchdowns on its first four possessions of the game – drives of 42, 93, 76 and 92 yards.
“This might’ve been the best we’ve looked on offense since I’ve been here, in the first quarter anyways,” Spurrier said after the game.
Backup quarterback Dylan Thompson was perfect on his first drive of the game – but was picked off late in the first half and did not return. He completed seven of nine passes for 75 yards – while picking up another 23 yards (and a touchdown) running the football.
Sophomore tailback Mike Davis picked up 77 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and hauled in three passes for 67 yards prior to injuring his ankle late in the fourth quarter. Davis’ injury was described as a slight sprain of his left ankle, and the team’s leading rusher (341 yards in three games) is not expected to miss any action.
Junior two-sport star Bruce Ellington led the Gamecocks with eight receptions for 111 yards – his first 100-yard game since last year’s home win over Arkansas.
The Gamecocks will take next Saturday off before traveling to Orlando, Florida on Sept. 28 to play Central Florida. The Knights (3-0, 0-0 AAC) made history this weekend by defeating a Big Ten team for the first time ever – vanquishing Penn State 34-31 on the road at Happy Valley.
7 comments
I am content.
I am suggesting Steve start Mitch next year and run Davis 20 times a game this year. I see 8 wins this year and I blame the offense.
Happy that we won, but way too many turnovers on our part. We have tougher teams down the road and mistakes like the ones in this game could really cost us.
If we can play as efficiently as we did in the first half, we can do great things. Go Cocks!
Bama vs. Texas A&M was good.
A heart-thumping ride, Manziel running around like a Chihuahua making some great plays, but Bama played a patient, well-coached game to prevail (with a couple of turnovers) . Shifty roots only for Bama and the GAMECOCKS !!
I agree Henry! Go Bama and Go Gamecocks! But, I must say, Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M aka Johnny Football, is electrifying to watch. I cannot take my eyes off of him when he is on the field! He may be a punk, but he is one of the best, if not the best, quarterbacks I have seen in some time. Also, Connor Shaw has never lost a home football game and Dylan Thompson can throw that football like a pro! We may have beat Georgia had Dylan been put into the game, switching Connor and Dylan to confuse Georgia’s defense. Oh, wtf, our defense just wasn’t there.
The good news is the suicidal fans will show up to work on Monday pumping sunshine.