The path and impact of Hurricane Ian caused the rescheduling of many games and events across the state this week. South Carolina Football's home tilt with FCS opponent South Carolina State, was among those. The two teams moved up their game originally schedule for Saturday at Williams Brice in Columbia, to Thursday night. The Gamecocks as expected had no trouble, as they trounced SC State 50-10.
The Gamecocks struck 1st, scoring in the 1st quarter on a TD pass from Spencer Rattler to MarShawn Lloyd. They would go for 2 and get it, to lead 8-0. That would be all the scoring in the 1st quarter. Early In the 2nd, South Carolina would score on a Jaheim Bell one yard TD run. That capped a drive of 95 yards on 9 plays that chewed 4:45 off the clock. That made the score 15-0 South Carolina after they kicked the PAT.
Right before the halftime break, the Gamecocks got a 6 yard TD run from QB Spencer Rattler to take a 22-0 lead into the halftime locker room. SC State would strike first in the 2nd half, getting on the board with a 1 yard TD run from QB Tyrece Nik. The Johnston, SC native had a game high 95 rushing yards on the night. The Gamecocks then answered with two touchdowns before the end of the 3rd. Highly touted transfer TE Austin Stogner caught a 15 yard TD pass from Rattler and Christian Beal-Smith punched it in on a 1 yard TD run right before the quarter closed.
The Gamecocks took a commanding 36-7 lead into the final frame. MarShawn Lloyd would get into the end zone for the 2nd time of the night, this time on a 2 yard TD run. SC State would put together a drive that ended with a 21 yard FG to make the game 43-10. Back up QB, Luke Doty would scamper 13 yards to pay dirt with under 2 minutes left to cap the game off at 50-13.
South Carolina's defense created three turnovers, picking off three Bulldog passes on the night. However, South Carolina would be even in turnover margin after three giveaways of their own. QB Spencer Rattler once again have issues with ball security, throwing two picks in the game. Rattler has three games this season with two picks and has a total of 7 to just 4 TD passes through 5 games.
South Carolina's offense would gain 400 total yards on the night to SC State's 220. The Gamecock defense allowed just 75 yards passing, while their offense outrushed SC State by a slight margin, at 185-145. The Gamecocks are 3-2 but still searching for their 1st win in SEC play. They return to league play as they travel to Lexington to tangle with 7th ranked Kentucky October 8th. That will be a primetime match up, set for a 7:30 kickoff.
