Gamecocks Lead South Alabama 17-9

Although South Alabama more than doubled South Carolina in time of possession, the Gamecocks lead the Jaguars 17-9 at the half. South Carolina scored on their opening drive, going 49 yards led by receivers Pharoh Cooper and Nick Jones. The drive stalled as Rory Anderson dropped a pass in the end zone and the Gamecocks had to settle for a field goal from Elliot Fry. South Alabama would respond with a 70-yard drive of their own taking the ball down inside the 5-yard line before settling for a field goal to tie the game. Gamecocks would break the plane on the next drive when Dylan Thompson hit Nick Jones over the middle for a 29-yard TD. The completion by Thompson moved him to 5th all-time in passing yards for South Carolina. At the start of the second quarter, South Alabama would find themselves stuck in 3rd and long situation from the South Carolina 46. However, Hunter Vaughn would find Shavarez Smith on a 40-yard completion down to the 6-yard line before tacking on another three points. Gamecocks would drive down to the South Alabama 39 on the following drive before Mike Davis would be stripped by Maleki Harris giving the Jaguars the ball back. Hunter Vaughn would give it right back throwing an interception to Brison Williams who returned the pass for a 21-yard touchdown. Williams would record another interception minutes later. Six consecutive drives resulted in turnovers before South Alabama would tack on another three points just before the half. South Alabama held the ball for 20:45, while the Gamecocks’ time of possession totaled 9:15. The Gamecocks recorded three interceptions in the half, two from Brison Williams and one from Skai Moore. Mike Davis fumbled twice in the first half, only carrying the ball 3 times for 23 yards. Dylan Thompson is 7-12 for 116 yards, one touchdown and one interception. South Alabama quarterback Hunter Vaughn has thrown three interceptions so far.