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South Carolina Gamecocks

Rapid Reaction: Gamecocks suffer stomach-turning OT loss to Tennessee

Brad Crawford

By Brad Crawford

Published:

A few quick thoughts on South Carolina’s devastating 45-42 overtime loss to Tennessee, a game in which the Gamecocks led by two touchdowns with less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

What it means: This team is lost defensively with no answers for what’s transpiring this season on assistant coach Lorenzo Ward’s side of the football. South Carolina gave up 645 yards of offense, including three touchdowns over the final 6:45 of the fourth quarter. It was the third time this season the Gamecocks have blown a double-digit lead in the final frame and went on to lose the game.

What I liked: Steve Spurrier’s offense stayed hot, surpassing 600 yards for the third time during the HBC’s tenure. Highlighted by a masterpiece individual performance from Pharoh Cooper and a big-play running game, the Gamecocks gashed the Vols for 625 yards and 26 first downs. Cooper’s 223 yards receiving set a new school record. He was responsible for four touchdowns — a pass, two catches and a rush.

What I didn’t like: Same story, different day for South Carolina’s horrid defense. Tennessee’s 80-yard touchdown drive in 1:13 to end the first half was a backbreaker early, summing up the Gamecocks’ struggles in a nutshell this season. Capped off by Joshua Dobbs’ 36-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-3 with 7 seconds left before intermission, the quick possession left Spurrier dumbfounded on the sideline. Tennessee added a second fourth-down touchdown in the fourth to pull within seven points then tied the game with 11 seconds left. Dobbs finished with 467 yards and five touchdowns — by himself.

Key plays: Facing a 3rd-and-18 in the fourth quarter, Dylan Thompson scampered for 20 yards and a first down. On the ensuing play, Brandon Wilds split a gap and rushed 70 yards for a touchdown, putting the Gamecocks ahead, 42-28, with less than five minutes remaining. But that just started the end-game craziness. Tennessee scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes and notched sacks on South Carolina’s first two plays of overtime to put the Gamecocks out of field goal range. Elliott Fry’s attempt at a game-tying 58-yarder on 4th-and-25 was 15 yards short of the crossbar.

What’s next: South Carolina gets its second bye week before a road trip to Gainesville.

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