The No. 19 South Carolina football team took down the Wofford Terriers 56-12 in its final game of the season in Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Gamecocks extended its win streak up to five to become undefeated since the team's win in Oklahoma on Oct. 19. This win ties head coach Shane Beamer with Steve Spurrier for the best four-year win total to start a USC coaching tenure.
In the first quarter, Wofford started off with a short dump pass that led to senior wide receiver Kyle Watkins going 63 yards to the Gamecocks' own 12-yard line on the first play of the game. Despite this, Wofford could not find the momentum to score a touchdown and could not advance on the next three plays, leading to a field goal to make the score 3-0.
The Gamecocks, looking to respond after Wofford’s scoring drive, suffered when redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers was intercepted by senior defensive back Amir Annoor at the Gamecocks' own 39, but was stopped on its offensive drive which led to a punt from Wofford's end.
The Gamecocks found its footing in the drive following the stop, ending with senior running back Raheim Sanders running 11 yards to score a touchdown, which made the score 7-3.
During the second quarter, the Gamecocks quickly capitalized on the first play of the drive with a big throw from Sellers to senior wide receiver Dalevon Campbell for 58 yards to put the Gamecocks at Wofford’s 20-yard line. The Gamecocks scored quickly after a one-yard rush by Sellers with 12 minutes left to play in the half.
After some back-and-forth action from both teams, Wofford crafted a successful drive that ended up in a touchdown but was unsuccessful in its 2-point try in order to make the game a 3-point game. Instead, the score remained 14-9.
The Gamecocks then scored again right before the half ended to make the score 21-9 after two catches from Campbell and a short pass to sophomore tight end Maurice Brown that resulted in a touchdown .
Once the second half began, sophmore wide receiver Nyck Harbor ran 26 yards on a reception to find the endzone, making the score 28-9. Later in the quarter, senior wide receiver Gage Larvadain scored the fifth touchdown of the night for South Carolina, making the score 35-9.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks muffed a punt, giving Wofford the ball back at the Gamecocks’ own 44 yard-line, which resulted in a field goal for Wofford.
The Gamecocks responded when senior quarterback Robby Ashford scored a touchdown to make the score 42-12.
Further into the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks scored a 27-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 49-12 from sophomore running back Jawarn Howell but at the cost of redshirt freshman wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs, who injured his foot during the drive.
The Gamecocks cinched its victory tonight after one more score from redshirt senior running back Bradley Dunn to make the final score of 56-12.
Campbell paces the passing game
Campbell was a force early for the Gamecocks putting up 106 yards in three receptions in the first half, catching every target thrown his way.
"Dalevon's been awesome, gave him the game ball," Beamer said. "Those guys (receiver room) continue to get better and Dalevon is a perfect example of that."
By the end of the game, Campbell put up 120 yards in 5 receptions, having the most yards on the team. He also had a perfect completion rate and averaged 24 yards for every time he received the ball.
Strong third down defense
The Gamecocks’ defense did not allow a single third-down conversion and only allowed one first down for the first quarter. By the end of the half, the third down conversion rate for Wofford was at 16.7 percent, going 1 for 6, when the team's only third-down conversion came from the touchdown Wofford earned in the second quarter.
However, senior linebacker Debo Williams still thought the Gamecocks' defensive performance left room for improvement.
"For one, defense needs to get off the field. They (were) converting on third downs in the beginning off of stuff we were messing up on," Williams said. "Offense needs to do what they do but as a defense, we got to get off the field with three-and-outs."
By the end of the game, Wofford could only manage to have a 16.7 percent third down conversion percentage. The Gamecocks put up four sacks to close out the night, some of them coming from important third down stops.
Sellers performs well
By the first half, Sellers played well despite the one interception he had on his second passing attempt.
He threw 14-16 for 175 yards with one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. His rushing yards were not to be ignored either, putting up 31 yards and having the second most rushing yards on the team.
"He just continues to get better, continues to gain in confidence," Beamer said. "Just like our football team, he continues to be a better player week-in, week-out."
By the end of the game, Sellers put up 307 passing yards throwing 23-27 with three passing touchdowns. He also put up 53 rushing yards to close out the night.
What's next?
Catch the Gamecocks at Clemson University for the two team's rivalry game at noon on Nov 30. The game will be available on ESPN.