South Carolina football: 3-2-1 - SC State

GamecockCentral takes a look at the key players and plays from the 50-10 win over SC State.

Three Key Plays

1. Rattler to Brooks

South Carolina led just 8-0 after the first quarter and had struggled to find a groove. The Gamecocks began the drive backed up to their own five, and had just barely converted a third down on the final play of the first quarter. South Carolina decided to air it out to start the second quarter Jalen Brooks got behind the defense by a couple of steps. Spencer Rattler found him, and although the pass got held up in the wind a little, Brooks came back to the ball for a 54-yard catch. The play flipped the field and gave South Carolina a much-needed spark. Five plays later the Gamecocks were in the end zone, and the 95-yard drive was more offense than they had managed on their first three possessions combined.

2. Third Down Stop

South Carolina State got its second turnover of the game late in the second quarter but the Bulldogs were backed up against their own end zone. They faced third and one at their 11-yard line. If the Bulldogs get a first down, they can run out most of the final three minutes of the half. If the Gamecocks get a stop, they have a short field and plenty of time to add a score before the break. Kendrell Flowers took a handoff and was stuffed by DQ Smith and a gaggle of Gamecocks for no gain. SC State punted, South Carolina took over at its 37, and seven plays later the GAmecocks were in the end zone. The score made it 22-0, which felt like a huge lead.

3. Lloyd Finds a Hole

SC State scored to open the second half, cutting South Carolina’s lead to 22-7. If the Bulldogs could follow with a stop, they would be back in the game. Instead, after a nice return by Juju McDowell, Marshawn Lloyd get the handoff, picked up some nice blocks, and rumbled for 20 yards. After just one play, the Gamecocks were inside the 40 and threatening. They would score on the drive and turn the game into the blowout everyone expected.

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Two Game Balls

MarShawn Lloyd

Lloyd didn’t have as eye-popping a performance as last week, but he was impressive once again. Lloyd rushed 11 times for 80 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry, with big runs of 15, 31, 20, and 12. He also caught three passes for 11 yards and another touchdown. 

Tonka Hemingway

In the first quarter, Hemingway scored on a two-point conversion, nimbly dodging defenders to score off a direct snap. At his normal position, Hemingway also deflected a pass that led to a punt and had half of a sack. 

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One Burning Question

Are the Gamecocks ready for Kentucky?

South Carolina took care of business (and then some) against a pair of overmatched opponents in Charlotte and SC State. Now comes a real test next weekend against Kentucky. Moving the SC State game up to Thursday could be an advantage because it gives South Carolina a couple of extra days to rest and start game-planning for Kentucky. Will it be enough? South Carolina kept things pretty vanilla the last two games, while also throwing in a few wrinkles to make Kentucky prepare for. Rattler was pretty sharp Thursday (both interceptions came off accurate throws the receiver didn’t hang onto), Lloyd has emerged as a bonafide feature back, and the offensive line has shown improvement. The defense, especially the secondary, is still struggling, so the offense will have to be even better to outscore Kentucky.

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