Skip to main content
south-carolina logo

South Carolina football: 3-2-1 - Georgia

On3 imageby:Chris Wellbaum•09/17/22•

ChrisWellbaum

On3 image
Shane Beamer (Photo by CJ Driggers)

GamecockCentral breaks down what went wrong against Georgia.

Three Key Plays

1. Joyner’s keeper

South Carolina got the ball first and picked up a first down on its first snap. Three plays later, after an incomplete pass and short run, the Gamecocks faced third and six. Dakereon Joyner replaced Spencer Rattler behind center and kept on a sweep right. He only picked up three yards and South Carolina had to punt. It was a questionable play call not only to take the ball out of Rattler’s hands but to call a run with six yards to gain. Georgia scored on the ensuing possession and South Carolina was in a hole by the middle of the first quarter.

2. Interception

On South Carolina’s second possession, Rattler hit Jaheim Bell on the sideline for a 46-yard gain. After an incompletion, Rattler tried a throwback to Juju McDowell. The protection was poor, the pass was behind, and McDowell never turned around for the pass. It was an all-around mess that Georgia’s Malaki Starks turned into an interception and 42-yard return. Until the fourth quarter, that was South Carolina’s best scoring opportunity.

3. Fake Punt

Only because it was so well executed. Kroeger pump fakes to the screen on the left to move the middle linebacker and open up Traevon Kenion for the first down catch.

Special: Get a year of Gamecock Central for $10 or a month for $1!

Two Game Balls

Kai Kroeger

Kroeger brilliantly executed the fake punt and was solid in his regular job. He punted five times for an average of 44.4 yards, with a long of 54. All five were downed inside the 20.

Hunter Rogers

Rogers has had some bad snaps this season, but all of his snaps were on target Saturday. He also made a nice tackle in punt coverage that prevented a return.

WIN! Framed picture of Williams-Brice Stadium signed by Georgie Rogers

One Burning Question

Can South Carolina flush this?

I’m not sure anyone expected South Carolina to beat Georgia, or even keep it within a couple of touchdowns. But that was bad. Aside from the fake punt, almost nothing South Carolina did went right. It may not be a back-to-the-drawing board situation – nobody is confusing Charlotte for Georgia – but this loss can’t linger. Take care of business against Charlotte and S.C. State and you are 3-2 and the season is back on track.

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!

You may also like