The 3-2-1: Key Plays, Game Balls, and a burning question from the loss to Illinois
South Carolina suffered a heartbreaking 21-17 loss to Illinois in the Cheez-Its Citrus Bowl. Here are the key plays, game balls, and burning questions after the disappointment.
Three Key Plays
1. Don’t give up
In the first quarter, Luke Altmyer hit Hank Beatty on a deep slant. There was no safety to make the tackle, and Beatty was off to the races, but Jalon Kilgore didn’t give up and chased Beatty down at the one-yard line. On the next play, Illinois fumbled into the end zone and South Carolina recovered. In a one-possession game, Kilgore’s hustle saved seven points.
2. Fumble
Altmyer liked to throw into coverage, but South Carolina only made him pay once, a Kilgore interception in the third quarter. The turnover came right after a productive touchdown drive and South Carolina’s offense was humming with a chance to take firm control of the game. The Gamecocks picked up a couple of first downs, but then Jawarn Howell fumbled on an awkward-looking screen pass. Illinois turned the second chance into a touchdown and a 14-10 lead.
3. Incomplete pass
South Carolina had one play for all the Cheez-Its. Trailing 21-17, South Carolina had fourth and four on the Illinois seven-yard line. LaNorris Sellers scanned the field before getting late pressure. By then he had found Josh SImon open in the end zone. Because of the pressure, the pass was a little low and behind, but still right in Simon’s hands -and through Simon’s hands. Instead of a go-ahead touchdown, it was a turnover on downs and Illinois ran out the clock.
Top 10
- 1
CFP's 'utlimate flaw'
Paul Finebaum takes aim at CFP
- 2New
Bevo will attend Cotton Bowl
Texas mascot set to return
- 3Hot
Lane Kiffin
Parting shot at CFP committee
- 4
Mocking Beamer
Juice Wells trolls Shane Beamer
- 5Trending
Kirby Smart
Calling out Sugar Bowl refs
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
[Join GamecockCentral: $1 for 7 days]
Two Game Balls
Oscar Adaway III
I’m going to speak critically of Adaway below, so let me first give him his flowers. Adaway rushed for 69 yards on 14 carries and caught seven passes for 37 yards. He had a 36-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and was a reliable safety valve for LaNorris Sellers.
Jalen Kilgore
Kilgore got burned a couple of times, but that’s life for a defensive back. More often his name was called for making big plays. He had two quarterback hurries and an interception and was disruptive out of the secondary.
One Burning Question
Can South Carolina find a home run threat to replace Rocket Sanders?
Adaway and Howell were productive, but they weren’t Raheim Sanders. Adaway broke the one long touchdown run and reliably picked up positive yardage. But they each only had one big play. Sanders had the unique combination of being a heavy-hitting power back who was capable of turning any touch into a 30-yard touchdown. That big-play ability made South Carolina’s offense so explosive this season and was a critical part of the Gamecocks’ offensive identity. Who can do that to help out Sellers next season?
