South Carolina, on the backs of their running game, jumped out to an early lead & held off Florida 28-20, pushing the Gators losing streak to five games. The loss was the second under Interim Head Coach Randy Shannon, who took over for Jim McElwain, who was fired last month after the team's lost to Georgia 42-7.
The Gators (3-6) won the toss, decided to receive but went out on three & out on their first drive. And on their first possession, South Carolina wasted no time in putting together a strong initial drive. Led by Quarterback Jake Bentley, the Gamecocks took just under three minutes to go 74 yards, capped by Bentley taking it into the end zone for a four yard touchdown run. After getting one first down, the Gators punted & put the Gamecocks inside their own 10. And it looked like the Gators gave themselves a chance to get on the scoreboard when Cornerback CJ Henderson picked off Bentley. But during the return, Henderson fumbled the ball inside the Gamecocks ten yard line & Running Back AJ Turner recovered the fumble, gained 24 yards on the recovery & in the end giving the Gamecocks a first down & room to operate.
The Gamecocks (7-3) didn't take advantage of that Gators miscue but it didn't take long for the Gators to give South Carolina another chance to cash in after, for the second straight week, Wide Receiver Brandon Powell muffed a punt. This turnover put the Gamecocks inside the red zone. But one play after that Gators fumble, the Gators took the ball right back when Bentley threw an interception in the end zone to Cornerback Chauncey Gardner, who looked like he could return it all the way to the end zone but was tripped up near midfield.
The Gators were not able to take advantage of Bentley's interception & punted after three plays. And South Carolina put together another scoring drive taking a 14-0 lead after Running Back Mon Denson scored from 24 yards out.
With that 14-0 lead, the Gamecocks were ready to get the ball back after forcing a punt but on that punt, the Gators recovered the ball after a South Carolina player was pushed into the bouncing ball, setting up Florida in South Carolina territory. But after a completion from Quarterback Malik Zaire to Kadarius Toney for 23 yards, which moved the ball inside the red zone, the Gators were forced to kick a field goal. And Kicker Eddy Piniero made good on the 29 yard attempt making it a 14-3 game.
On the next drive, South Carolina couldn't muster more than two first downs. That gave the ball back to the Gators, who despite a penalty & an injury to Zaire, were able to put up some more points. After a false start penalty, Running Back Mark Thompson gained 31 yards, putting the Gators in Gamecocks territory. And two plays after that run, Zaire ran for 23 yards. But that run was costly because Zaire suffered an injury to his left knee. And after sitting out one play then returning only to leave the game again, Zaire eventually was taken out of the game & replaced by Feilipe Franks. Franks threw an incomplete pass on third down & Piniero hit from 37 yards out, his second of the game, making the score 14-6.
The Gators field goal seemed to wake up the Gamecocks running game. South Carolina used both Denson & Turner to get the ball into Gators territory & on a fourth down play inside the red zone, Denson scored a 12 yard touchdown, his second of the game.
With the score now 21-6 & missing their starting quarterback, the Gators put an impressive seven play 75 yard drive with Franks & Running Back Lamical Perine leading the way. The drive ended with Perine scoring from 18 yards out, giving the Gators their first touchdown of the game.
The half ended with South Carolina leading 21-13. And the Gamecocks out-gained Florida 263-176 but in the second quarter the Gators had four plays of 20 yards or more.
After both teams had the ball to start the second half, the Gamecocks looked like they were going to add to their eight point lead. But after successfully driving the ball into Gators territory with three completions, Bentley threw his third interception of the game, when Linebacker Vosean Joseph made the pick at the Gators 17 yard line.
Three plays & eight yards was all the Gators could put together after Bentley's third interception. But after getting the ball back, Bentley used his legs to increase the Gamecocks lead. Faced with a third down, Bentley looked to pass but after finding no one open, took off with the Gators defense playing man to man & gained 17 yards. Another long run by Turner followed the third down conversion & then on a second & goal from the seven, Bentley ran up the right side for his second touchdown of the game, making the score 28-13.
Bentley's touchdown was the lone score in the third quarter. And the Gators offense was unable to move the football & decrease the Gamecocks lead. That was until South Carolina missed a field goal & the Gators were able to complete a long pass on a broken play. On third & four, Frank scrambled from one side of the field all the way to his left & found not one but two Gators behind the Gamecocks defense. Franks throw was caught by Tight End Moral Stephens at the one for a 63 yard gain & on the next play, Running Back Mark Thompson scored, making the game a one score game again.
Unfortunately for Florida, their attempt to end their losing streak ended when with just over a minute left in the game, Franks had a pass tipped & intercepted by Cornerback Jamyest Williams.
Florida will get their next shot to end their losing streak next Saturday at 4pm when UAB visits Gainesville. Coverage begins with the Gators Pre-Game at 1pm on 620 WDAE.