GAMECOCKFANATICS PLAYERS OF THE GAME: South Carolina vs Florida
Final: South Carolina Gamecocks (3-4, 2-3) 27 – Florida Gators (7-1, 4-1) 38
The South Carolina Gamecocks drop a home SEC game in the rain to 9th-ranked Florida Gators 38-27 today, in a game that was far more closely contested than the final score indicates. The game got away however in the 4th Quarter, as the Gators scored 21 unanswered points to come from behind 20-17, and take a 38-20 lead midway through the 4th. The Gamecocks score a meaningless touchdown late, but the game was pretty much decided by that time. Now let’s get to the players of the game, starting with the Gamecocks:
OFFENSE
RB Tavien Feaster: Feaster was the easy one here. Rico Dowdle was lost from the game to an hyper-extended knee early in the 1st Qtr., and Feaster stepped in in a huge way, with 25 carries for 175 yards, and 1 touchdown. It was easily his best performance yet as a Gamecock.
Honorable Mention: WR Bryan Edwards: Edwards had 7 receptions in 11 targeted attempts, for 78 yards, including a game-best 41-yard reception.
DEFENSE
DB Jammie Robinson: Robinson had 4 total tackles, with the lone interception of Trask to start the 2nd half, and a forced.
Honorable mention: S J.T. Ibe: Ibe led the team with 8 total tackles – 6 solo
For Florida
OFFENSE
QB Kyle Trask: the game-plan coming into the game was surely to contain Florida’s prolific freshman QB Trask, who has been the strength of their offense, but the Gamecocks failed at the task, as Trask completed 21 of 33 passes for 200 yard and 4 passing touchdowns.
Honorable Mention: RB Dameon Pierce: Pierce is not Florida’s starting back, but he dealt a huge blow to the Gamecock’s chances after the Gamecocks made a statement score with a touchdown early in the 2nd half, to go up 17-10. Pierce responded with a 75-yard scoring gallop on the very next Gator offensive play to tie the game up again (although he had some help from his friends).
DEFENSE
CB C.J. Henderson: Henderson was 2nd on the Gator defense with 9 total tackles – 8 of them solo tackles – with a tackle for loss being a sack, and a pass break-up.
Honorable Mention: LB David Reese: Reese led the game with 13 total tackles.