COLUMBIA, MO: Missouri running backs broke the tackles, the spirit and the hearts of the Gamecocks Saturday night at Memorial Stadium rushing for 285 yards on 44 attempts in a 29-20 win over South Carolina. The primary culprit in the eyes of the Gamecocks was Ahmad Hardy who had 138 yards on 22 carries.
The Gamecock defenders simply could not get Hardy, running mate Jamal Roberts and quarterback Beau Pribula on the ground on first contact most of the night. The Tigers averaged 5.9 yards per carry.
USC quarterback LaNorris Sellers nearly willed his team to a victory. He kept the Gamecocks alive until the final 90 seconds when the Tigers iced the game with a 40 yard field goal.
Sellers passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns. But he was sacked five times, and he had no offensive support on the ground. The Gamecocks finished with minus nine yards rushing, including yardage lost on sacks. Plus, the offense was whistled for nine penalties for another minus 55 yards.
The Gamecocks also left 14 points out there that would have made a difference in their favor. In the first quarter, Mazeo Bennett broke wide open behind the secondary around the Missouri seven, but Sellers overthrew him. In the third quarter, the Gamecocks had a first and goal at the two, but Sellers was sacked for a 13 yard loss, and they had to eventually settle for a field goal.
Despite all the adversarial issues, the Gamecocks led 20-18 going into the fourth quarter. But they were outscored 11-0 and out gained 127-19. Their three fourth quarter possessions ended with two punts and a turnover on downs.
The Gamecocks are 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the SEC and will host Kentucky next Saturday night.
Final Stats
My View from Memorial Stadium
USC Postgame
Shane Beamer
LaNorris Sellers
Vandrevius Jacobs
Jalen Kilgore & Gerald Kilgore
