South Carolina hosted Georgia in for its conference opener and beat them 17-6.
Breaking it down…1st Quarter…South Carolina received the opening kickoff and marched 79 yards on 16 plays for a touchdown. The drive took up over 8 minutes and set the tone for the game. Marcus Lattimore rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries on the drive. Georgia would respond by marching 60 yards in 13 plays. The Bulldogs’ offense sputtered in the red zone, and they had to settle for a field goal.
2nd Quarter…In a drive lasting into the second quarter, South Carolina moved the ball 42 yards but where unable to convert a long field goal attempt. Georgia went 3 and out on its next 3 series and didn’t score again in the half. South Carolina punted on its next possession before before putting a scoring drive together. The Gamecocks got a second Marcus Lattimore touchdown after covering 62 yards on 8 plays. At the half USC led 14-3.
3rd Quarter…Georgia had two long drives in the third quarter as the Bulldogs tried to get back in the game. The first drive covered 64 yards and was stopped inside the South Carolina 10. Georgia made a field goal to pull within 8. The next time the Bulldogs had the ball they again drove inside the South Carolina 10. This time Devonte Holloman forced a fumble which Stephon Gilmore recovered to stop the last Georgia threat of the day. In between the two Georgia drives Steven Garcia led USC 52 yards on 5 plays before fumbling the ball to Georgia.
4th Quarter…The teams exchanged a pair of punts in the first part of the last quarter. South Carolina took possession of the ball with 8:07 to go at their own 37 yard line and salted the game away. The Gamecocks ran the ball 10 straight times before being stopped at the Georgia one with just over a minute to go. After a false start penalty nullified Spencer Lanning’s field goal, the team captain calmly made the field goal again to put the game out of reach. Georgia would move the ball some against South Carolina’s prevent defense until Devin Taylor sacked Aaron Murray to end the game.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| Georgia | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| South Carolina | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
Stars of the Game…Marcus Lattimore…37 rushes for 182 yards, 2 TDs, 1 reception for 16 yards…Alshon Jeffrey…7 receptions for 103 yards…Stephon Gilmore…3 punt returns for 24 yards, fumble recovery…Devonte Holloman…7 tackles and a forced fumble…Devin Taylor…3 tackles for loss, 2 of which were sacks and a QB hurry
What to Take from the Weekend…Gamecock fans should be excited but know that it is a long season. The win over Georgia makes all of this team’s goals a little more attainable and winning the SEC East a little more realistic. Marcus Lattimore is living up to expectations which should excite the fanbase like few players before him
This and that…USC is now 2-0 (1-0)…With the win Coach Spurrier now has 106 SEC wins tying him for second alltime with John Vaught…South Carolina coverted 9 of 14 third downs…Time of Possession; SC 35:15, GA 24:45…The Gamecocks are now 10-1 in their last 11 home games…Alshon Jeffrey needs 28 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for his career.
Up next…South Carolina hosts Furman at 7pm on Saturday. The game will be available on pay-per-view.
