South Carolina at Missouri. Gamecocks win 31-10.
One team of Tigers down, two to go. The South Carolina Gamecocks improved to 4-0, 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference, after rolling over the Missouri Tigers 31-10 Saturday afternoon. What was billed as a potential battle of quarterback back-ups turned into a one-sided affair as the Gamecocks dominated on both sides of the ball, led by starting quarterback Connor Shaw on offense and linebacker Quin Smith and the rest of the front seven on defense.
Shaw shook off lingering pain from a fracture in his shoulder blade suffered in week one to turn in a record-setting performance for the Gamecocks, connecting on 20 of 21 pass attempts. His only miss came on the fourth play, his first attempt of the game, and after that he threw for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Marcus Lattimore turned in 87 yards rushing and 60 yards receiving, punching in two touchdowns on the ground, and becoming the Gamecocks’ record-holder for career rushing touchdowns.
Smith led the defense with 10 tackles as Carolina dominated the Tigers, giving up only 255 yards, a second quarter field goal, and a touchdown that came with less than a minute left in the game. Missouri’s dual-threat quarterback James Franklin managed less than 100 yards passing and only six yards rushing.
The Gamecocks’ often-underperforming special teams made the win a complete team victory with wide receiver Ace Sanders taking six punt returns for a combined 106 yards including the play of the game, a 49 yard return to the four yard line setting up Carolina’s first touchdown.
The Gamecocks travel to Lexington, Kentucky, next weekend for another SEC matchup with the Wildcats. Kentucky has struggled to a 1-3 start this season, including a 38-0 shutout courtesy of the Florida Gators in Gainesville Saturday. South Carolina can’t afford a letdown as the SEC East division race shapes up, with the Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, and the Gamecocks undefeated in conference play. As September winds down, the football is only getting hotter with Georgia, LSU, Florida and Tennessee on the schedule in October. Kickoff against Kentucky is set for 7 PM and the game will be shown on ESPN2.
– COURTESY OF M&M Snead for Gamecock Girls
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