#Gamecocks come apart at the seams in 27-3 loss to Ole Miss (AUDIO/VIDEO)

**LaNorris Sellers couldn’t get the USC pass attack on track, Saturday (Ryan Bethea)**

WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM: South Carolina endured a lopsided 27-3 defeat at the hands of 12th-ranked Ole Miss, Saturday. The Rebels came into Columbia, SC, with a laser focus and swagger that indicated they wanted to prove that last week’s loss to Kentucky was a fluke. That was to be expected. What was unexpected, perhaps, is that the Gamecocks would look so sloppy and rudderless following a bye week.

USC committed a host of errors, ranging from unsportsmanlike penalties to ill-timed fake punts to goal-line interceptions. The tone was set early as the Gamecocks were stoned on a punt fake in their own territory. Ole Miss quickly capitalized and never relinquished the momentum. Offensively, USC failed to pay off most of their opportunities, finishing with just 3 points on 76 plays (313 yards).

The ineffectual play of the offense put the defense in a precarious position time and again. The Gamecocks’ defense held the Rebels’ high-powered attack to 3 of 13 on 3rd down, but kept drives alive with a variety of penalties and miscues. USC linemen were lured offsides a number of times with a hard count and freshman Dylan Stewart drew an unsportsmanlike penalty following a sack. Stewart dropped Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart for a eight-yard loss on 3rd and long but let the Rebels off the hook when he feigned shooting a machine gun at the prone Dart. In his postgame comments, head coach Shane Beamer spoke at length about how disappointed he was that his team was “undisciplined” and not fully prepared. Beamer took full responsibility for his club’s lack of poise, but didn’t elaborate on what he said to Stewart in their postgame conversation.

The Gamecocks best scoring opportunity came when LaNorris Sellers (20-32, 162 yards) led his unit on a 69-yard drive to the Ole Miss 5-yard line. But Sellers’ inexperience showed when he threw an interception into double coverage. USC reached the red zone three times, resulting in just one score.

Play was stopped frequently as Ole Miss defenders routinely needed aid in getting off the field. Many of these instances occurred following a big play from the Gamecocks offense, drawing suspicion on the severity or even veracity of the injuries. Beamer was careful not to direct any accusations, but his frustration was clear.

South Carolina (3-2, 1-2) will need to sharpen up in all three phases with a road game at Tuscaloosa, Ala. on deck. Alabama suffered a monumental upset at the hands of Vanderbilt and will be ornery hosts when USC comes calling. Kickoff from Bryant-Denny Stadium is scheduled for noon.