The good the bad and the ugly Gamecock's win over Vandy 38-27
Nov. 06, 2022


Here’s a look at what was good what was bad and what was ugly for the Gamecocks' Saturday night 38-27 win at Vanderbilt.

THE GOOD

Bowl eligibility:
Two seasons. Two bowls. In his second year at the helm as the Gamecocks, head coach Beamer has led the Gamecocks to a second consecutive bowl game. With their sixth win of the season, the Gamecocks are now (6-3) and are officially bowl-eligible as it heads into the final third of the regular season. The Gamecocks won last year’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina in Charlotte.

Offensive creativity: Joyner’s play wasn’t the only trickery of the evening for the Gamecocks. For all of the grief offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield has received for his playcalling, the Gamecocks found multiple ways to get players the ball in space, and quarterback Spencer Rattler might’ve played his best game as a Gamecock with three passing touchdowns and no turnovers. With running back MarShawn Lloyd unavailable due to injury, the Gamecocks ran the ball with eight different players, including jet sweeps and reverses with wide receivers. A fake field goal in the second half, which resulted completed pass from punter Kai Kroger to defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway, was another massive jolt for the Gamecocks in the second half. And after many conversations about his role, multi-faceted tight end Jaheim Bell had double-digit touches and even led the team with 16 carries for 55 yards out of the backfield.

Dakereon Joyner: Speaking of the Mayo Bowl, the last time wide receiver DK Joyner made an impact on the field for the Gamecocks was during that game, when the versatile player received the bulk of the snaps at quarterback. On Saturday, after barely playing this season, Joyner received a handful of snaps as a wildcat quarterback. Joyner was directly involved in one of the most explosive plays of the night. Lined up with running back Juju McDowell, Joyner scrambled away from pressure and threw a short pass to Antwane Wells Jr., who raced 68 yards for a first-half touchdown.

Passing defense: The Gamecock secondary was banged up, with David Spaulding not making the trip and stud freshmen Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith nursing injuries at different points of the game. But the secondary held tough against quarterback A.J. Swann and quarterback Mike Wright, who played the second half after Swann left due to injury. Cornerback Darius Rush set the tone with an interception on Vandy’s first drive of the game. Both Emmanwori and Smith returned to the game and made significant impacts, with Emmanwori leading the Gamecocks in tackles and Smith registering a pass breakup.

THE BAD

Health:
It didn’t hurt the Gamecocks, but the Gamecocks came into the game with two key starters out in the form of Lloyd at tailback and Spaulding at safety. Lloyd, in particular, has been South Carolina’s most consistent offensive weapon and the team’s leader in touchdowns. Though the Gamecocks still rushed for more than 200 yards Saturday, Lloyd’s healthy return is paramount.

Rushing defense: Coming into the game, Vanderbilt ranked last in the SEC in total offense and especially struggled in the run game, averaging 138 rushing yards per game. But even with a hobbled offensive line, the Commodores managed to surpass that average in the first half alone. Vandy gashed South Carolina on the ground, with tailback Ray Davis leading the way with a 167 yards.

THE UGLY

Penalties:
It was a chippy game in Nashville, with multiple skirmishes breaking out between teams. Through the course of the game, the Gamecocks drew 11 penalties, gifting Vanderbilt 105 yards. Those penalties didn’t cost USC the game, but that lack of discipline could burn the Gamecocks in tighter games.
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