The South Carolina Gamecocks offense that everyone talked about in the summer finally showed up in week six. USC defeated Kentucky by the score of 54-3. It was just the type win that the team needed and the fans have desired for a long time.
Let’s issue the report card for this week:
Offense (A): Solid effort from Coach Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks offense. The team scored 54 points and the thing about it; the Gamecocks could have executed better and scored more. USC had 639 yards of total offense on 91 plays and quarterback Connor Shaw was brilliant. Shaw went out and threw for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns. Marcus Lattimore rushed for 102 yards on 22 attempts and Alshon Jeffery caught two touchdown passes.
Backup quarterbacks Andrew Clifford and Dylan Thompson each were responsible for a TD. Thompson ran for an 8-yard TD and Clifford threw a 7-yard TD pass to D.L. Moore. South Carolina’s 51-point margin of victory was the most since 1995, when the Gamecocks beat Kent State by 63 points.
Defense (A): The Gamecock defense was again impressive even with a limited Melvin Ingram. They limited Kentucky to just 96 total yards and just 17 passing yards. The stat that screams domination is the fact that the Gamecocks forced six turnovers, including four interceptions. And if that does not raise the eyebrows, Kentucky ran just six plays inside of Gamecocks territory.
The Gamecocks were led by Quin Smith and Rodney Paulk in tackles but the Gamecocks had zero sacks which was a surprise. Yet they did not really do anything on offense.
Special Teams (C): The Gamecocks got off to a bad start thanks to a Bruce Ellington fumble on the opening kickoff so that was a negative in the grand scheme of things. Another bad thing was Jay Wooten’s blocked extra point. So there is room for improvement in the field goal kicking game as Wooten was just 2 of 3. He did have a 48 yarder so that is one bright spot. The kick coverage did well but in talking about special teams there is a lot left to be desired.
Coaching (A+): The Gamecocks finished with 639 yards of offense (351 passing, 288 rushing) and creativity was showcased in the play-calling. Safe to say, it was a balanced attack.
This is the type Gamecock offense that the fans expect. Even Spurrier was seen smiling. Rightfully so as he executed a flea-flicker, used the “Wildcat” to his advantage, made the unorthodox Emory and Henry formation (lines up offensive linemen as wide receivers) look smart and displayed some end-around runs along with an option play.
USC’s defensive coach Ellis Johnson dialed up the right scheme once again and told his Gamecocks to get after it. The coaching staff did a really good job in planning for UK. Yes, Kentucky sucks but the coaches did a great job in exploiting the weaknesses of the Wildcats.
Overall: (A-): This was the type game that was needed. This kind of win builds confidence, gets good vibes going in the locker room and pleases the fans. The Gamecocks played super on offense and on defense. This win showed what USC is capable of and the only question mark leaving this game is can USC do it again.
South Carolina now must get past the high-fives of the UK win and focus on Saturday, Oct. 15, as Mississippi State will be ready as a team and with those cowbells. Kickoff is set for 12:21 ET in Starkville, Miss. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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