Thompson leads strong effort by USC backups
South Carolina didn't have its starting quarterback or running back Saturday night at Clemson, but it didn't matter.
Quarterback Dylan Thompson and running backs Kenny Miles and Mike Davis filled in admirably for injured teammates and led USC to its fourth straight win over the Tigers.
Thompson threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns while making his first career road start and Miles and Davis combined for 126 total yards as the Gamecocks earned a 27-17 win, marking the fourth consecutive victory by double digits over Clemson. USC moved up to No. 11 in the AP Top 25 and 10th in the BCS rankings.
With Connor Shaw's foot bothering him and Marcus Lattimore lost for the season with a knee injury, Thompson said he and his teammates had to step up.
“When guys go down the next guy's got to be ready. I think that's happened here last year, this year, and today it was my opportunity,” he said.
Carolina receiver Bruce Ellington added that he was confident Thompson, Miles and Davis would make plays.
“Even though those guys weren't starting, we've got guys that can come in and make plays, not do the same thing that they can do, but make plays,” Ellington said. “That's what Dylan and the running backs did.”
Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who finished with 4.5 sacks in the game, said he felt like USC made a statement beating Clemson despite its injuries.
“It's a big statement. For me it's the ACC vs. the SEC,” Clowney said. “That's our rival, and we want to let them know that we own them for the last four years now.”
USC defensive back DeVonte Holloman, who will finish his career a perfect 4-0 against Clemson, said it's been nice seeing the rivalry controlled by the Gamecocks recently. Prior to Holloman's arrival. Carolina had lost six of seven to the Tigers.
“To get four in a row and never lose to Clemson is just big for the university, our fans, everybody,” he said. “Back home the Clemson fans talk to us and the South Carolina fans tell us they don't care what we do as long we beat Clemson.”
Despite Thompson's impressive play, USC head coach Steve Spurrier said Shaw will likely remain the starter at quarterback in the team's bowl game.
Carolina will find out its bowl destination early next week.
“(Shaw) should be ready for the bowl game wherever we end up. He should be the guy ready to go,” he said.
Thompson added that he was pleased with his play but wasn't ready to say if he deserved a shot as the starting quarterback.
“I'm not worried about that right now. We just beat Clemson for the fourth time in a row,” he said. “I'm just happy right now. I'm going to celebrate this one.”
link: http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d91V1?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=south-carolina-football
South Carolina didn't have its starting quarterback or running back Saturday night at Clemson, but it didn't matter.
Quarterback Dylan Thompson and running backs Kenny Miles and Mike Davis filled in admirably for injured teammates and led USC to its fourth straight win over the Tigers.
Thompson threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns while making his first career road start and Miles and Davis combined for 126 total yards as the Gamecocks earned a 27-17 win, marking the fourth consecutive victory by double digits over Clemson. USC moved up to No. 11 in the AP Top 25 and 10th in the BCS rankings.
With Connor Shaw's foot bothering him and Marcus Lattimore lost for the season with a knee injury, Thompson said he and his teammates had to step up.
“When guys go down the next guy's got to be ready. I think that's happened here last year, this year, and today it was my opportunity,” he said.
Carolina receiver Bruce Ellington added that he was confident Thompson, Miles and Davis would make plays.
“Even though those guys weren't starting, we've got guys that can come in and make plays, not do the same thing that they can do, but make plays,” Ellington said. “That's what Dylan and the running backs did.”
Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who finished with 4.5 sacks in the game, said he felt like USC made a statement beating Clemson despite its injuries.
“It's a big statement. For me it's the ACC vs. the SEC,” Clowney said. “That's our rival, and we want to let them know that we own them for the last four years now.”
USC defensive back DeVonte Holloman, who will finish his career a perfect 4-0 against Clemson, said it's been nice seeing the rivalry controlled by the Gamecocks recently. Prior to Holloman's arrival. Carolina had lost six of seven to the Tigers.
“To get four in a row and never lose to Clemson is just big for the university, our fans, everybody,” he said. “Back home the Clemson fans talk to us and the South Carolina fans tell us they don't care what we do as long we beat Clemson.”
Despite Thompson's impressive play, USC head coach Steve Spurrier said Shaw will likely remain the starter at quarterback in the team's bowl game.
Carolina will find out its bowl destination early next week.
“(Shaw) should be ready for the bowl game wherever we end up. He should be the guy ready to go,” he said.
Thompson added that he was pleased with his play but wasn't ready to say if he deserved a shot as the starting quarterback.
“I'm not worried about that right now. We just beat Clemson for the fourth time in a row,” he said. “I'm just happy right now. I'm going to celebrate this one.”
link: http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d91V1?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=south-carolina-football