The South Carolina Gamecocks have been inconsistent at best this season, as struggles on both offense and defense have led to a disappointing 4-4 record nine weeks into the 2014 season.

But last night, Steve Spurrier’s team played arguably its best game of the year, pushing a No. 5 ranked Auburn team to the brink in Jordan-Hare Stadium. South Carolina eventually came up short on the hailmary throw at the end of the game and fell 42-35.

Unfortunately for the Gamecocks, they were unusually careless and ineffective in the red zone against the Tigers, an area that’s been a bright spot throughout the season. Entering last night’s game, the Gamecocks had converted 27-of-28 red zone possessions, but two interceptions and a failed fourth-down in the red zone last night cost South Carolina several opportunities to either tie the ball game or extend the lead at important moments.

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Spurrier, who spoke with the media during his Sunday night teleconference, can’t help but think they left a lot of chances to win out on the football field.

“We had been very good scoring in the red zone, but all of a sudden we missed a fourth down and had a couple of passes picked off down there,” Spurrier said. “We had some errant plays in the red zone. It ended up being a big difference in the game. It was obviously a high-scoring game and both teams needed to score. We messed up three times down there and Auburn did not mess up at all with no turnovers.”

“Offensively, we had to have a real good game, but the turnovers in the red zone turned it into  a good game, but not a great game by any means,” Spurrier added. “And we all became a loser.”

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Auburn was a perfect 4-for-4 with its red zone opportunities.

South Carolina’s offense enjoyed one of its most productive nights offensively, totaling 535 yards against Auburn, but the three missed opportunities in the red zone was too costly for the Gamecocks to overcome and pull off a surprising upset.