South Carolina Can't Hang Onto Late Lead, Lose 41-39 Shootout To Florida
The Shane Beamer-led South Carolina Gamecocks, came into this game desperately needing a win in order to give themselves a more clear path to bowl eligibility. That win, however, was given away late as Carolina lost to the Florida Gators by a final score of 41-39.
At the start of the second half, the Gamecocks leaned on their offensive star power to get them down the field, as Xavier Legette hauled in two big catches for 13 and 46 yards to get South Carolina into Florida's redzone, ending the drive with a field goal to notch things up at 24 points a piece. The Gators, however, would get that field goal back on their next possession thanks to yet another missed assignment in man coverage for the Gamecocks, and a booming 53-yard kick by Florida kicker Trey Smack.
After a three-and-out by each team, Carolina's offense managed to get back into some sort of rhythm, as the Gamecocks were spurred by a 26-yard scramble by star quarterback Spencer Rattler, and managed to convert multiple third downs, leading them to a touchdown which gave them a 31-27 lead. On the next drive, Beamer Ball would make it's presence felt, as after the Gamecocks got a pivotal 3rd down stop at the 30-yard line, O'Donnell Fortune would break through the Gators line and block the 47-yard field goal try, keeping the momentum on South Carolina's side.
On the next possession, the Gamecocks wouldn't have a single play with negative yardage, as Rattler would connect with O'Mega Blake for 24-yard 3rd down conversion, and later in drive, would throw a misdirection pass to Joshua Simon, who would truck Jordan Castell and scamper into the endzone for another touchdown. This would put South Carolina up ten points late in the second half.
Florida, however, would respond with a four minute, twenty-one second touchdown drive on the very next possession, a drive that was spearhead by four plays of nine yards or more. South Carolina would get the ball back, and got one first down thanks to a penalty, but would stall afterwards and have to punt it back to the Gators. Florida would then turn around, and despite throwing three straight incompletions, convert on a 4th and 10, and then drive down the field for a touchdown to give them a 41-39 lead.
Ricky Pearsall catches the go-ahead touchdown with 47 seconds left.
Jeff Blake | USA Today Network
Spencer Rattler then threw an interception on the final drive of the game, giving the Gators the win and putting South Carolina at 2-4, and 1-3 in conference play.
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