Shaw often had to run for is life against Wofford
Kenny Miles to the rescue. Again!. USC’s senior running back, who has come out of the shadow of Marcus Lattimore the past three years only when Lattimore is hurt, gave a lethargic Gamecock offense the spark it needed in Saturday’s hard fought win over Wofford.
Miles rushed for a career high 127 yards, his first 100 yard rushing game since he posted 114 yards against Clemson in 2009. He added 27 receiving yards as well and scored on a two yard run.
Miles took over again as the Gamecocks’ number one running back when Lattimore went down for the season against Tennessee. He was called on last year when Lattimore was hurt against Mississippi State. Miles, whom Steve Spurrier believes has a chance to play in the NFL, is more than happy to deliver when given his chance.
“I feel humbled and blessed for the opportunity I’ve had to be at South Carolina for the last couple years. During the game, I didn’t treat it like a senior day. I just treated it like any other game. The main thing I focused on was just to run hard and keep running.”
AUDIO: Miles talks about his record setting day [2:47]
Miles came thru on a day the Gamecock passing game was not highly productive. Connor Shaw was 16 of 20 but for only 122 yards. He had one touchdown pass but he also had a costly interception that killed a potential scoring drive. Shaw also reinjured his foot though he was not forced to leave the game because of it.
“I’m a little banged up, I re-twisted it in the first series, but I was able to finish strong. Wofford dropped eight and rushed three just about every other play and the play calls they did have they dropped a big zone so I was forced to run on a couple of those. I don’t know how much longer I could have stayed in the pocket. I tried to stay in the pocket as long as I could but there’s always stuff to improve on.”
AUDIO: Shaw says Wofford’s coverage made it tough on passing game [1:30]
The 122 passing yards against Wofford were the fewest for the Gamecocks since the season opener against Vanderbilt when they passed for just 67 yards.
