GAMECOCKFANATICS PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Final: South Carolina (2-3, 1-2) 24 – Kentucky (2-3, 0-3) 7
The South Carolina Gamecocks return home to Williams-Brice Stadium, and win their first SEC game on the season, as well as tear a monstrous gorilla off of their back by defeating SEC-East rival Kentucky Wildcats 24-7. The Gamecocks defense has perhaps their best game of the season collectively, while the run game on offense was dominating all night long. The Gamecocks take this win into their first of two bye weeks on the season, and prepare for their next foe the Georgia Bulldogs, in Athens on October 12th. Kentucky, who will also have a bye week this next week, will prepare to host the Arkansas Razorbacks on the 12th. Now lets get to the players of the game, starting with The Gamecocks:
OFFENSE
I have to give this as a tie between the top two running backs for the Gamecocks, in Rico Dowdle and Tavien Feaster. The Dynamic Duo were a very effective one-two punch all game long for the Gamecocks - Dowdle rushed 15 times for 102 net yards (6.8 YPC), with 1 touchdown, while Feaster also rushed 15 times for 107 net yards (7.1 YPC), and added 2 TDs. Combined they led the Gamecock rush offense that gained 247 yards and scored three touchdowns. Dowdle gave Gamecock Nation a scare late in the game as he limped off the field with an apparent ankle injury, but towards the end of the game he was seen walking unassisted on the sideline, with only a slight limp and smiling to the fans. Hopefully it’s only a slight sprain, and he’ll make the most of the off week to rest and heal up, and be ready for UGA.
Honorable Mention: QB Ryan Hilinski. Hilinski didn’t have a great game of note by any means, but after the previous game against Missouri, with Elbow Gate and all, it was good for the team to see him back at the helm, and looking like the Missouri game was just the odd anomaly. Ryan didn’t throw for a lot of yards nor for any scores, and his completion rate dropped as the game progressed, but he started the game strong, and led the team down the field for an opening-drive touchdown, which was essential for the team to settle down and play with confidence.
DEFENSE
Buck D.J. Wonnum: the defense overall had a masterful game that attacked and flustered the Kentucky QB all night long, and the leader of this effort was clearly Wonnum. D.J. finished the night with 5 total tackles, and three tackles for loss, all three of them by way of QB sacks.
Honorable mention: LB Ernest Jones – there were several players on defense who had strong nights tonight, but Ernest made the initial statement in the first offensive possession of the game for Kentucky, when he ran in front of a soft lob pass that fell short, and intercepted it. Jones also led the defense with 7 total tackles.
For Kentucky
OFFENSE
WR Lynn Bowden. Bowden was Mr. Everything for the Wildcats tonight – he stepped in for an ineffective Sawyer Smith at QB, and moved the offense in a wildcat option scheme. Bowden rushed 6 times for 44 net yards, and also threw two passes completing both for 7 yards. He also had three receptions in 7 targeted attempts for 13 yards.
Honorable Mention: RB Chris Rodriguez. Rodriguez came in late into the game, when the Gamecock defense was containing the more heralded Wildcat RB tandem of Asim Rose and Kavosiey Smoke to a combined 12 carries for 40 net yards, and rushed 6 times for 65 net yards and the lone touchdown score for Kentucky.
DEFENSE
DT Calvin Taylor. Taylor had 7 total tackles, with a tackle for loss which was a QB sack, and a forced fumble.
Honorable Mention: LB Jamar Watson. Watson had 4 total tackles, with 2 TFL, both being sacks, and 2 QB hurries.
