GAMECOCKFANATICS PLAYERS OF THE GAME: South Carolina vs Vanderbilt
Final: South Carolina Gamecocks (4-5, 3-4) 24 – Vanderbilt Commodores (3-6, 2-4) 7
The South Carolina Gamecocks bounce back into the win column with a 24-7 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores in front of a home crowd in Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday night. The win improves USC to 4-5 overall, and 3-4 in the SEC, keeping their very slim bowl prospects on life support. Vanderbilt’s struggles continue, as they fall to 3-6, 2-4 on the season. The Gamecocks now turn their sights to next week, as they host a ranked non-conference opponent in Appalachian State. Now let’s get to the players of the game, starting with the Gamecocks:
[SIZE= 18px]OFFENSE[/SIZE]
WR Bryan Edwards: Edwards was unstoppable tonight, with 14 receptions out of 16 targeted passes, for 139 yards and a touchdown. The 14 nabs tied the school single-game record (held along with Edwards by Zola Davis, Kenny McKinley, Tori Gurley, and Deebo Samuel: Davis and Gurley also set their records versus Vanderbilt) . Edwards also had 3 punt returns in the game for 53 yards, including a 35-yard return.
Honorable Mention: Tie between RB Deshaun Fenwick – Fenwick returns from limited duty this season to rush for 102 yards on 18 carries – and QB Ryan Hilinski. Hilinski was a very efficient 24 for 31 passing for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns, with zero interceptions.
[SIZE= 18px]DEFENSE[/SIZE]
LB TJ Brunson: Brunson led the defense with 6 total tackles; all 6 being solo tackles, with 1 tackle for loss and 1 interception late in the 4th quarter to seal the victory. After Vanderbilt moved down the field for a 77-yard scoring drive – helped by three Gamecock penalties on defense – the Gamecock defense stiffened and held the Commodores to 112 total yards the rest of the way.
Honorable mention: DE Aaron Sterling: Sterling had 3 total tackles – all solo – with 2 being tackles for loss by way of QB sacks, the only sacks of the game.
For Vanderbilt
[SIZE= 18px]OFFENSE[/SIZE]
RB Key’Shawn Vaughn: Vaughn was the majority of the Commodore offense, rushing 20 times for 87 yards, and also reeled in two receptions for 11 yards.
Honorable Mention: QB Riley Neal: Neal only appeared in one offensive possession before missing the rest of the game due to injury, but he made it count for Vanderbilt’s only score, passing 3 for 4 for 46 yards and one passing touchdown. Once he left the game, the Commodore offensive effectiveness fell off the proverbial cliff.
[SIZE= 18px]DEFENSE[/SIZE]
S Tae Daley: Daley was a machine for Vanderbilt, totaling 16 tackles, with 12 of them solo.
Honorable Mention: LB Dimitri Moore: Moore had 11 total tackles – 9 solo – with one tackle for loss.
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