The South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2, 0-2 SEC) ran the ball twenty-two times for negative nine yards. I’ll repeat that for those who didn’t get that, The South Carolina Gamecocks ran the ball twenty-two times for negative nine yards. Now granted Missouri (4-0,1-0 SEC). had five sacks for forty-six yards, The Gamecock rushing offense was atrocious.
After a scoreless first quarter, in which a wide open Mazeo Bennett was unable to keep a drive going after narrowly missing a connection with Sellers inside the Tiger five yard line, and a punt downed at the Missouri one yard line, the Tigers got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter thanks to a 99-yard drive. The Gamecocks responded with a very efficient drive after that ended with a forty-nine yard pass from Sellers to Vandrevious Jacobs to give the Gamecocks a 7-6 lead. Missouri responded with an eleven play drive, but Carolina was able to hunker down in the red zone and only give up a field goal. It only took four plays for Carolina to respond with a seventy yard drive culminating with Sellers finding Brian Rowe Jr for a twenty-four yard score. Another eleven play drive, ending in a field goal before the half had the Gamecocks in the lead 14-12 at the break.
In the third quarter two Gamecock field goals and a Missouri touchdown had the score at 18-12 heading into the final quarter. The Tigers opened the 4th quarter with a touchdown to take the lead at 26-20 after converting the two-point conversion, taking the lead for good from Carolina. In the 4th quarter the Gamecocks were only able to gain nine yards on the ground, punting twice and turning the ball over on downs on their last drive. Missouri was able to pound the Gamecocks into submission with a ten play, fifty seven yard drive in which they did not throw the ball one time to make the score 29-20 with just over 1:30 left in the game.
The Gamecock Quarterback had a very effective night through the air. Sellers was 18-28 for 302 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. Seven different Gamecocks were able to haul in passes, lead by Jacobs who had seven catches for 128 yards. He is the first WR to have over 100 yards for Carolina since Xavier Leggette in 2023, a streak of fourteen games. Vicari Swain and Jalon Kilgore paced the Gamecocks on defense with ten solo tackles each, and Gerald Kilgore added an interception in the second quarter.
Missouri carried the ball forty-six times for 287 yards, led by Ahmad Hardy with twenty-two carries and 138 yards and a score. Hardy, who led D-1 football coming into the game, added what seems to Gamecock fans another 100. Jamal Roberts added seventy-six yards and a score, as well. Tiger QB Beau Pribula was 16/27 for 171 yards with a passing TD and INT. He also added seventy-two yards rushing.
The Gamecocks return home next week to host Kentucky at Williams Brice Stadium.
Other Notes:
A touching moment as Coach Shane Beamer gave a shout-out between quarters to Gamecock Legend Connor Shaw who earlier in the week had a health scare and spent a couple days in the ICU. Shaw went home yesterday.
I watched the game at my friend Daniel and Courtney Greer’s house. Daniel grilled some steaks and shrimp for us and it was delicious. Their three-year-old son, Charner, gave me the best house tour of their new house (even though I’ve been there multiple times and helped them move) and their one-year old daughter Gwen is absolutely adorable. I want to thank them for their hospitality.
By my count Gamecocks are 2-14 wearing “strom-trooper” uniforms.
The Gamecocks also committed fourteen penalties in the game for ninety-eight yards.
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