Handing out grades after South Carolina’s second victory ever at Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, a come-from-behind overtime victory.:

OFFENSE: C

South Carolina was held well below its season average of yards and points per game, but execution on the final drive along with an impressive rushing attack in the extra session was enough to down the Gators. Undisciplined at times, Clayton Stadnik and Alan Knott both struggled at the center position with multiple bad snaps and had trouble with Florida’s pressure, notably pass rushers Dante Fowler and Caleb Brantley. Dylan Thompson completed just 22-of-41 passes, but avoided turnovers and made several third-down throws early that kept two first-quarter scoring drives alive.

DEFENSE: B+

The Gamecocks kept game-changing plays to a minimum and got off the field on third down — necessary to win on the road in the SEC. Skai Moore was excellent in his first game in the middle while Jordan Diggs’ forced fumble and recovery in the third quarter thwarted a potential scoring drive for the Gators at the South Carolina 32-yard line. Florida quarterback Treon Harris managed a career-best 111 yards rushing, but had a touchdown scamper called back on a hold. Steve Spurrier was complimentary of the defense after the game and credited his players with not quitting, calling it the ‘best game the defense has played all year.’

SPECIAL TEAMS: A-

South Carolina’s best special teams performance of the season in terms of impact plays, the Gamecocks blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter (that would’ve given the Gators a 10-point lead) and a punt in the final two minutes that led to a game-tying touchdown. Elliott Fry missed a field goal, but it didn’t come back to haunt the Gamecocks and kick coverage was solid throughout.

COACHING: B

Across the board, it appeared the Gamecocks were well-prepared for Florida coming out of a much-needed bye week and focused on snapping a four-game losing streak in SEC play. South Carolina took away Treon Harris as a passing threat and tackled well at the line of scrimmage, an element that’s eluded Lorenzo Ward’s defense throughout the season. Speaking of Ward, the third-year defensive coordinator returned to the sideline and based on pre-game personnel moves, helped the SEC’s worst defense limit the Gators to 278 total yards and a 3-for-14 afternoon on third down.

OVERALL: B+

Too often this season, South Carolina has squandered leads late in the fourth quarter but on Saturday, the Gamecocks were on the receiving end of good fortune after refusing to throw in the towel when Florida took over on downs with 2:22 remaining. A much-maligned defense forced a punt, Carlton Heard blocked it, then Mike Davis punched it in five plays later after recovering his own fumble in the end zone to force overtime after the PAT. The Gamecocks are a win away from bowl eligibility for the 10th consecutive season under Spurrier, continuing a program-record stretch.

South Carolina vs. Florida Highlights: