Spence Rattler Breaks Down Game-Winning Touchdown vs. Kentucky
South Carolina's offense had been struggling since the beginning of the second quarter, over 31 minutes straight, and had to make something happen with around 13 minutes to go in the ball game. After a significant holding penalty to start the drive, they could only muster up 15 yards on the first two plays. The first big play was a third down conversion to Xavier Legette for 28 yards that got the Gamecocks to midfield.
After they got into Kentucky territory, South Carolina had a prominent 2nd and 26 on the Wildcats' 34-yard line, where Rattler and Legette hooked up again for a 17-yard screen to make it 3rd and 9.
Spencer Rattler looking to throw against Kentucky (11/19/2023)
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
The final play of the drive that could have gone wrong had many things go right. First, Spencer Rattler went to the line to make a change or call out an assignment and noticed that time was running out.
"On that play, you know, they were bringing a pressure, a pressure look or overload blitz, and I was trying to let Nick [Gargiulo] know we need to change the protection here," Spencer began explaining postgame. "And then I looked up, and there was 3 seconds [on the play clock]. I was like, 'Oh crap! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!'
The last thing they needed was a delay of game penalty, and he got it off right on time. Another key component in this play involved true freshman running back Djay Braswell, who was playing more in week twelve due to the injury situation at running back and made a critical decision that saved the play from being blown up.
"Shout out to Djay Braswell," Rattler exclaimed postgame. "He stepped up and made a big-time block that won that game for us. [A] linebacker came free, [and] he stepped up [and] made a huge block so I can make a little movement in the pocket."
As Rattler stepped up and set his feet to throw, Legette was able to shake the defender and give himself enough space to make it an easy throw and catch for the dynamic pair for the go-ahead score. While the play live may have been excellent and seemingly easy in live time, it could have gone wrong in numerous ways, but when the team needed to make a play at one of the most crucial times in this game, everyone stepped up and made the plays they needed to. It's symbolic of how the month of November has gone for the Gamecocks, and they'll look to pull it off one more time next Saturday night against Clemson.
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