South Carolina lost its 4th consecutive game on Saturday, losing at Texas A&M, 30-17. The Gamecocks led 7-0 after the 1st quarter but got outscored 21-0 in the second quarter and couldn’t get any closer than 24-17. With the loss, the Gamecocks dropped to 2-6, and now have to win out just to become bowl eligible.

The offense was not good as Spencer Rattler threw for only 176 yards. However, it was the run game that was absolutely terrible, running the ball 28 times for only 33 yards.

Up next on the schedule, the team will look to get back on the right track as the Gamecocks host Jacksonville State.

Player of the Week: LB Deebo Williams

The junior linebacker had 11 tackles on Saturday, including 8 solo. Williams helped the Gamecocks do a very good job of stopping the run. Texas A&M ran the ball 40 times for only 105 yards and just 2.6 yards per carry.

He has four games this year with at least 10 tackles, including 25 tackles in the last two games. The four remaining offenses on the South Carolina schedule aren’t what the team has been facing recently, so the Gamecocks defense could continue to play well.

Freshman/Newcomer of the Week: WR Nyck Harbor

Harbor was one of the best recruits in the country last year, and he just put together the best game of his young career. He only had 4 catches entering this game, but Harbor ended the day with 6 catches for 59 yards.

Harbor has a chance to be a great college receiver, and he was able to showcase some of that potential on Saturday. His big-play ability has been evident this year as 3 of his 10 catches have gone for at least 20 yards.

Biggest surprise: Dominated in Time of Possession

The Gamecocks had the ball for only 23:30, compared to 36:30 for Texas A&M. Neither team was very good on 3rd downs. South Carolina was 5-of-16 while Texas A&M was only 7-of-19. However, one area the Aggies were very good at was on 4th down, going 4-for-4.

To get those 3rd-down stops, only to see the Aggies convert on 4th down, was a huge blow for the Gamecocks. You do everything right, and think you might be able to get off the field, only to see the opposition convert and have to go back on defense is tough for the mental state of the team.

Biggest concern: Can this team keep it together?

Any time a team goes on a losing streak like the one the Gamecocks are on, there is the chance the season goes off the rails and ends poorly. However, there is still a lot for South Carolina to play for as the Gamecocks do not have to play another game on the road this season.

The schedule also gets easier as the Gamecocks could potentially be favored in each of the four remaining games they play. Their schedule consists of Jacksonville State, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Clemson.

Coaches always say to take it one game at a time, and if South Carolina does that, the team will have a chance to make a bowl.

Developing trend: 2nd quarter struggles

Since the game against Georgia, South Carolina has really struggled in the second quarter. There have been multiple games during this losing streak where the game is very competitive after one quarter, but the other team starts to pull away.

Being able to carry momentum into the half is a big thing. However, walking to the locker room after you just had a tough second quarter makes it very difficult to get your swagger back.

For South Carolina, fixing these 2nd quarter issues is a must if this team is going to get back on the right track.

Key stat: 5.3 yards per pass

The Gamecocks are lacking big play ability with Spencer Rattler finishing 20-of-33 for 176 yards and 1 touchdown. The 5.3 yards per pass show the team can’t create any big plays. This is forcing South Carolina to have to go on extended drives, which is just tough in the SEC.

Wide receiver Xavier Legette has been a big playmaker all year, but he was only able to have 3 catches for 20 yards.

First impression about Jacksonville State:

Jacksonville State enters this game at 7-2 and has won 2 consecutive games. One thing that stands out is this is a team that does it by committee. Five players have rushed for at least 200 yards this year and five players have at least 4 touchdowns.

The defense is outstanding at getting after the quarterback, as Jacksonville State has 30 sacks on the season. That would be tied with Ole Miss and Virginia Tech for 4th in the NCAA.