Gamecock Sports: Game Recap - USC vs. Kentucky

{photo credit: GoGamecocks.com}

Gamecocks Guilty of Looking Ahead?

It may have been a case of looking ahead... It may have been a case of just not executing... But regardless of the reason, the Gamecocks looked miserable in the first half of the game. Anytime Marcus Lattimore is held to 12 yards in a half, there is obviously a problem with the offense. Luckily the tailback took his team on his shoulders and solidified the Carolina victory in the second half.

The Carolina defense stood up tall in the second half, led once again by Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney. Without the consistent, dominant play of Carolina’s defense there is no way they could still be #6 in the nation and entering this week’s match-up as ESPN’s game of the week! In the SEC you must have a prolific defense to survive from week to week, but the Gamecocks have gone above and beyond week in and week out.

Connor Shaw again had an extremely efficient week, completing over 80% of his passes, but in a very limited passing game. After a lackluster first half, Coach Spurrier shifted his focus to a ground attack that would get kick-started by a Kenny Miles touchdown run. Marcus Lattimore would later follow with two of his own rushing touchdowns, bringing his record total to 38. Damiere Byrd also added to his growing touchdown reception total with a 30-yard haul from Connor Shaw early in the third quarter.

While the first half of the game against the Wildcats is something we all hope to quickly forget, it definitely showed weakness in the Gamecocks' offense and special teams. These weaknesses must be cleaned up before Carolina takes on #5 Georgia next weekend in a primetime match-up on ESPN. Hopefully the Carolina coaching staff will have the Gamecocks prepared when the Bulldogs arrive in town next week.

Thankfully the Gamecocks escaped Saturday with the win and can now focus on the gauntlet they will experience in the coming weeks, which includes back to back to back to back games against UGA, at LSU, at Florida, and home for Tennessee. In a perfect world the Gamecocks will enter November with a 9-0 record, but with the coming few weeks the Gamecocks will have to be perfect in every element of the game for that to happen.

Here’s to hoping that the Carolina defense continues to control opposing offenses and the Gamecock offense scores at least one more point than the team we face that week!

Final Score: USC 38, UK 17

Post written by Gamecock Girl Sports Bloggess Lauren Hall.