USC Outslugs South Alabama 37-12

The South Carolina Gamecocks reached bowl eligibility by defeating the South Alabama Jaguars 37-12. The third quarter was all Elliott Fry, as he booted a long 47-yard kick to score the first points of the second half and later followed up with a 24-yard kick to put the Gamecocks up 23-9. The Gamecocks would open the fourth quarter with their longest drive of the season, going 96 yards on eight plays capped off by a Pharoh Cooper seven yard touchdown pass to Dylan Thompson, Thompson’s first career touchdown reception at South Carolina. Cooper also had a 73-yard catch earlier in the drive. South Carolina would get the ball right back thanks to Skai Moore, who would nab his second interception of the game to bring the ball back to the South Alabama 14-yard line. David Williams would take it in on the very next play to give the Gamecocks a 28-point lead. South Alabama would score their only points of the second half on a Aleem Sunanon with four minutes to go in the game. 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 Elliott 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 35:48, while the Gamecocks’ time of possession totaled 24:12. South Carolina out gained the Jaguars 454 yards to 289 yards. The Gamecocks recorded four interceptions in the game, two from Brison Williams and two from Skai Moore. Mike Davis fumbled twice in the first half and totaled 13 yards in the game.