LOOK: South Carolina student section empties out early in blowout against Georgia

Not even an overhydration issue for starting quarterback Stetson Bennett IV could slow down No. 1 Georgia as the Bulldogs steamrolled the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday afternoon. The South Carolina student section cleared out by the early fourth quarter, with only a few pockets in the stands remaining populated as the Bulldogs threatened to cross the half-hundred mark.

A photo on Twitter by the Washington Posts’ Chuck Culpepper showed the student section nearly empty during the fourth quarter.

According to Culpepper, as few as 289 people remained in the student section across six different sections of stadium seating. The Gamecocks were boat-raced from jump by the Bulldogs, who were keyed by the aforementioned Bennett.

Once-full student section at South Carolina. I counted 289 across six sections several minutes ago, but the second section from the right suffered a severe 16-person exit when ⁦@GeorgiaFootball got to⁩ 45-0, proving some people can handle 38-0 but will not stand for 45-0 pic.twitter.com/2AsW7OZmLh

— Chuck Culpepper (@ChuckCulpepper1) September 17, 2022

Despite throwing up on the field following his team’s third touchdown of the game, Bennett managed to lead Georgia to another comfortable blowout. He left the game after going 16-of-23 passing for 284 yards and two touchdowns while also adding three carries for 36 yards and another score.

The Bulldogs led 48-0 with 8:57 left to play in the fourth quarter at the time of this writing.

South Carolina looking for second wind in 2022

If the student section wasn’t evidence enough, South Carolina’s 2022 season has gotten off to a bit of a disappointing start, though the schedule certainly didn’t do coach Shane Beamer any favors.

With a trip to then-No. 16 Arkansas last week and a game against the defending national champion Georgia this week, Beamer and company knew they’d have a tough road to begin the campaign. All but certain to be 1-2 overall and now off to an 0-2 start to league play, the Gamecocks will have to find a way to rally to reverse course.

The schedule is reasonably favorable to do so, with home games against Charlotte and SC State up before a road trip to Kentucky on Oct. 8.

Getting quarterback Spencer Rattler going may be the biggest key. He’s been inconsistent so far after entering Saturday’s contest against Georgia 47-of-76 for 603 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Against the Bulldogs he was severely limited by an active defense, going 13-of-25 for 118 yards without a touchdown and with two more interceptions before giving way to backup Luke Doty.

Rattler, the former Oklahoma transfer, has now thrown five interceptions in three games.