Strong second half propels South Carolina to big victory over Charlotte
After a back-and-forth first half, a strong second half performance propelled South Carolina to a 56-20 win over Charlotte.Â
It’s the first time the Gamecocks have scored 50 points against an FBS opponent since 2013.Â
The Gamecocks, led by MarShawn Lloyd, were dominant on the ground all game. South Carolina totaled 294 rushing yards and averaged 7.7 yards per rush.Â
Lloyd was electric all night long, juking Charlotte defenders out of their shoes or just jumping right over them. Â
Coming into the night Lloyd only had 75 rushing yards to his name and was averaging a measly 2.8 yards per carry.Â
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He sliced through the 49er defense all game long, totaling 169 yards on the ground and averaging 11.3 yards per carry. Both numbers were career highs.Â
Six out of sSouth Carolina’s seven touchdowns came via the run game. Lloyd accounted for three touchdowns while Christian Beal-Smith had two and Juju McDowell had one
In the first half, Lloyd’s production was the lone bright spot for South Carolina.Â
Charlotte scored touchdowns on two of its first three drives in the first half and it felt like the Gamecock defense couldn’t ever get off the field. Chris Reynolds was able to extend play after play and help the 49ers go 7-for-8 on third downs in the first half.
Reynolds ended the game 16-for-28 through the air with 143 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
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After a late second quarter drive stalled out, Mitch Jeter hit a chip shot field goal to send South Carolina into halftime with a 20-17 lead.Â
The 49er offense got the ball to start off the second half and the momentum, seemingly in limbo at the half, immediately switched gears in favor of the Gamecocks.Â
Charlotte gained zero yards and went three-and-out on its first drive of the half. In the ensuing drive South Carolina averaged 14 yards per play on five plays that set up Lloyd’s second touchdown of the game.Â
After a rough first half the Gamecock defense finally started clicking in the second half. South Carolina intercepted the ball on three straight drives in the third quarter, setting up three touchdowns.
Brad Johnson got the first pick after a swatted pass from Jordan Burch. DQ Smith secured the second, after dropping two potential interceptions in the first half. Cam Smith jumped a route for the Gamecocks third interception.Â
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GIlber Edmond showed up big time in his second start at the EDGE position. He had five tackles, 2.5 of which were for loss, and two quarterback hits.
Spencer Rattler had a quiet game but was still efficient through the air. He threw for 187 yards and was 17-for-23 for a completion percentage of 74%.
Rattler was replaced by Luke Doty with just over 10 left minutes in the game. Doty finished the game 2-for-3 through the air with 63 yards, one interception and one touchdown.
Charlotte was able to score late in the fourth quarter on a 35-yard touchdown pass but any comeback attempt was far too late.
To make matters worse for Charlotte, Doty found highly touted transfer wide receiver Corey Rucker on a 52-yard touchdown with less than two minutes in the game.
