Despite a two-game skid coming into Saurday’s game, the Gamecocks showed why they were the heavy favorites.
After giving up 35 combined fourth-quarter points in their last two games and allowing opposing teams to rally late, South Carolina surrendered only three points after halftime en route to a 41-10 victory.
“They made a few yards on us,” head coach Steve Spurrier said. “They had about 300 yards, but I thought our defense played pretty well in the second half especially, and they only ended up with 10 points.”
Furman (2-5) collected 302 total yards on the day but only 102 came in the second half.
The Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3 SEC) took just over three minutes to cover 92 yards on their opening drive, culminating in a 14-yard touchdown reception by junior wide receiver Shaq Roland .
It was Roland’s first reception of the game and his first after missing the team’s game at Kentucky two weeks ago.
The Paladins promptly responded when running back Hank McCloud peeled off a 60-yard touchdown run, streaking down the sideline to tie the game at seven.
McCloud’s score was the result of poor play call, defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said after the game.
“[It was a] big play. I’ll take the blame for that,” Ward said. “I called a pressure and they ended up sealing the linebacker and the safety on the inside, so I’ll take that as a call.”
South Carolina broke the tie on a violent five-yard touchdown run by junior running back Mike Davis, a play that sparked a 21-0 run by the Gamecocks heading into halftime. Davis ended the game with 111 rushing yards.
A fumble by senior wide receiver Damiere Byrd on the opening drive of the second half gave the Paladins the ball near midfield. The fumble ultimately allowed Furman to march down the shortened field to convert a 29-yard field goal, pushing the score to 28-10.
South Carolina scored on its next three drives, and two of those scoring drives were engineered by backup quarterbacks. Redshirt freshman Connor Mitch and sophomore Perry Orth each saw mop-up duty at the quarterback position in the second half.
Orth’s first pass was appeared to be intercepted but was overturned when replay showed that the defender was unable to maintain possession of the ball. The Gamecocks settled for a 27-yard field goal on the next play.
On Mitch’s first drive, he marched the Gamecocks 62 yards in nine plays, ending on another field goal by sophomore Elliott Fry. Mitch completed his first and only pass attempt on the drive, a 14-yard toss to redshirt freshman David Williams.
Williams, who saw significant playing time due to South Carolina’s lead and the injury to junior Brandon Wilds, relished in the opportunity, picking up 110 yards on the ground Saturday. It was the first time the Gamecocks had two 100-yard rushers in the same game since 2007, when Cory Boyd and Mike Davis rushed for 132 and 102 yards, respectively.
The Gamecock defense not only limited the Paladins on the scoreboard, but also forced three turnovers — two fumbles and an interception — for the first time all season, something Ward said the team has been working on in practice.
“I think the biggest thing is that we work all week to make sure we get three turnovers each day in practice and we got three turnovers in this ballgame,” he said. “That’s something we can build on.”
Senior defensive tackle J.T. Surratt left Saturday's game after pulling a hamstring, leaving an already depleted defensive line a man short.
Furman, now losers of five straight games, received $250,000 to play South Carolina.