South Carolina couldn’t have asked for a better start against Texas A&M. And then after lackluster middle of the game, South Carolina turned a corner in the second half with key plays by MarShawn Lloyd and Jaheim Bell.

The Gamecocks got a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, an interception by the Aggies led to a field goal and then a fumble setup another Gamecock TD as Williams-Brice Stadium rocked up 3 scores barely 5 minutes into the game.

In a game where the offenses left plenty to be desired at times, and Texas A&M dealt with an injury to Haynes King, South Carolina came off of its bye week to beat Texas A&M 30-24 before a spirited crowd. South Carolina improved to 5-2 and Texas A&M fell to 3-4. The Aggies kicked a late field goal and then recovered an onside kick to make it interesting in the final seconds.

King left the game with 12:54 remaining in the game with an apparent shoulder injury, as the Aggies trailed by 3.
King was pushed out on the A&M sideline and immediately reached for his right shoulder.

When he left the game, King was 17-for-32 passing for 178 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also had 3 carries for 19 yards. He was replaced by freshman, and former 4-star recruit, Conner Weigman.

Lloyd churned out 92 yards on 18 carries with 2 touchdowns as South Carolina saw its offense come to life after some earlier struggles. His last touchdown capped an 8-play, 80-yard drive to provide the difference. South Carolina ran the ball 7 times on that drive.

With the state fair underway in the distance, the Gamecocks delivered the best show in town early on, beginning with Xavier Leggette, who broke several tackles on his touchdown scamper, as he tiptoed down the sideline for the score, as he was aided by Texas A&M’s poor tackling.

But Texas A&M somehow weathered the storm, and with 2 minutes remaining in the first half, King nearly fell down then danced around the pass rush and found a leaping Max Wright for a touchdown, and then they converted the 2-point conversion.

The Aggies by halftime had 216 yards, which was the most first-half yards this season, except for the 231 they posted against Sam Houston. King has 115 passing yards which is most in first half for any A&M QB, save for 231 against SHSU.

Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield and the Gamecock offense faced a new round of criticism especially in the first half as the Gamecocks had just 115 total yards, as 4 straight drives ended with either a punt or a fumble. They were 3-for-7 on third down conversions. Spencer Rattler was 6-for-16 for 80 yards.

“We’ve got to sustain drives offensive,” Shane Beamer said at halftime on the SEC Network. “… Our defense has been on the field way too long. We’re not able to run the ball like we need to, that’s the biggest thing.”

By then, Lloyd had 3 carries for 28 yards, as South Carolina saw its 17-point lead whittle down to 17-14 by halftime.

Rattler started 5-for-6 for 67 yards in the second half, and then Lloyd turned on the jets for an 18-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. That was Lloyd’s sixth rushing touchdown in the last 4 games. The Gamecocks cashed in a bad punt by A&M and created another 10-point lead after that drive began near midfield.