GAMECOCKFANATICS PLAYERS OF THE GAME: South Carolina vs Georgia
Final: South Carolina Gamecocks (3-3, 2-2) 20 – Georgia Bulldogs (5-1, 2-1) 17, 2nd OT
The South Carolina Gamecocks get a huge, hard-fought SEC win on the road against the nationally 3rd-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, GA 20-17 in the second overtime. The win evens USC’s record overall to 3-3, and in SEC play to 2-2, while is the first defeat for UGA thus far this season, dropping them to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play. The win is also a major win for the Will Muschamp Era, not only easily his best victory as Gamecock Head Coach, but also arguably equaling (bettering?) the previous consensus best victory over #1-ranked Alabama in 2010, due to this game being on the road in a hostile environment, as well as USC not being ranked (the 2010 Gamecocks were 19th nationally at the time).
The Gamecocks on both offense and defense found a way to ignore the extremely loud and hostile crowd, and the aggressive Bulldogs to continue attacking right to the end of the game, which was extended into a second overtime. Heisman candidate and Bulldog QB Jake Fromm – who had thrown 0 interceptions and been sacked 0 times thus far this season, was flustered and pressured by the Gamecock defense all game long, surrendering to 3 sacks and 3 interceptions, one pick being taken all the way for a defensive touchdown by CB Israel Mukuamu. The vaunted Bulldog rush offense that came into the game leading the SEC in yards per game and averaging nearly 3 touchdowns per game thus far, was held to 80 yards under their average, and only 1 score.
On offense, QB Ryan Hilinski withstood a ferocious UGA defensive attack that had him bruised and limping, but he was a solid 15 for 20 for 116 yards, and a touchdown pass, a long 46-yard play to WR Bryan Edwards. Eventually Dak Joyner came into the game in replacement for Hilinski, and he also played strong in his first ever road SEC game, with 39 passing yards and 28 rushing. Ultimately though, it was the Gamecock defense that made the biggest statement of the game, with their outstanding play to the very end, with a Bulldog rush for no gain, and two straight incomplete passes from Fromm at the USC 25-yd line, to bring in their prolific placekicker Rodrigo Blankenship to kick a 42-yarder, a “gimme” kick for him. But this game was full of pressure and tension throughout, as neither team was able to pull away from the other, and Gamecock kicker Parker White felt it moments earlier in missing a “gimme” 32-yard FG for him that would have won the game in the 1st overtime. Now, Blankenship – who had an earlier field goal blocked – felt that pressure, and his kick goes wide, giving South Carolina the win.
Now the Gamecocks have to enjoy this victory quickly, and then turn their attention to their opponent next week versus top-10 ranked Florida, which will be at home this time, in Williams-Brice. Now let’s get to the players of the game, starting with the Gamecocks:
[SIZE= 18px]OFFENSE[/SIZE]
QB Ryan Hilinski played heroically despite the defensive onslaught, and RB Rico Dowdle was once again solid, but WR Bryan Edwards gets the vote here: Edwards had 6 receptions for 78 yards, the big one being the 46-yard reception for his lone touchdown, and the lone TD for the offense on the day.
Honorable Mentions: OK, lets give it as a tie to both QB Ryan Hilinski and RB Rico Dowdle.
[SIZE= 18px]DEFENSE[/SIZE]
CB Israel Mukuamu: Mukuamu was clearly the biggest impact player for the game, with a career-high three (3) interceptions – all the picks of the game – including a pick-six score.
Honorable mention: Entire Gamecock Defense: this was undoubtedly one of the best defensive performances yet under Coach Muschamp – if not THE best – and it came against a highly regarded SEC opponent on their home field. The defense never gave up even when there were times that they could have, and they were certainly tired towards the end of regulation, much less the two overtime periods. But they kept coming – Kinlaw, Jones, Enagbare, Sterling, Wonnum, Brunson. Horn took on UGA’s top WR in Pickens and held him scoreless. It was an overall unit effort that was sorely needed, because UGA’s own defense was also stout and contained our offense.
For Georgia
[SIZE= 18px]OFFENSE[/SIZE]
RB D’Andre Swift: Swift was steady throughout the game for the Bulldogs, with 113 yards on 23 carries (4.9 YPC) and 1 TD.
Honorable Mention: WR Demetris Robertson: Robertson also had a solid receiving game with 5 receptions for 51 yards and 1 TD.
[SIZE= 18px]DEFENSE[/SIZE]
Tie between LBs Tae Crowder and Monty Rice: Crowder had 12 total tackles, with a tackle for loss assist, and Rice also had 12 total tackles, with a pass break-up.
Honorable Mention: None for Georgia since they had co-winners.
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