Despite coming back from 18 points down to force overtime in an exciting Birmingham Bowl matchup against USF, the South Carolina Gamecocks couldn’t quite get past the Bulls, falling 46-39 in overtime.

The bowl loss dropped the Gamecocks to 6-7, but the overall record wasn’t what was on coach Will Muschamp’s mind immediately after the game.

His focus was solely on the many opportunities the Gamecocks missed, especially on defense, in Thursday’s defeat at the hands of the explosive Bulls.

Here’s what the first-year head coach had to say following the disappointing loss:

On the offense doing its part in 46-39 loss:

“You score 39 points, you should win.”

On USF’s first play of overtime, which resulted in the game-winning touchdown:

“Quarterback scrambled around and we failed to contain. Preached it all week. You get into scramble situations you have to cover twice (as long)… (Flowers) is an outstanding athlete, he threw it to the end zone, we misjudged the throw. When you scramble around and buy time, you have to be able to cover.”

On QB Jake Bentley’s record-setting 390-yard performance:

On needing to be more athletic:

“Our speed and athleticism has got to improve. You can see that when we play more athletic teams.”

On injured linebacker Skai Moore’s return, ‘Do you expect him to be on campus this August’:

“Yes. Well, January (winter training followed by spring football) will be first.”

On the need to do well on the recruiting trail:

“If there are any pass rushers out there that want to come, come on down to South Carolina.”