The 3-2-1: Three key plays, two game balls, one burning question from South Carolina's loss to Clemson

South Carolina’s season came to an end with a 28-14 loss to Clemson. We take a look at the key plays, game balls, and a burning question heading into the offseason.

Three Key Plays

IN-COM-PLETE

Clemson’s first significant drive of the game brought the Tigers to a first down on the Gamecock 19. A coverage bust in the secondary left Antonio Williams all alone on the left side of the field. With nobody within 10 yards of Williams, all Cade Klubnik had to do was lob an easy pass and Clemson would have the first touchdown of the game. Instead, Klubnik fired the pass out of the back of the end zone. On the next play, Jalon Kilgore intercepted Klubnik in the end zone to change possession, but it was the overthrow that really ended the drive.

Lucky bounce

On third and goal from the three, Klubnik rolled to his right. Bryan Thomas was ready and punched the ball free as he wrapped up Klubnik. It bounced right back to Klubnik, who grabbed the football and sprinted back to his left for the touchdown. Thomas got credit for a forced fumble and a sack, but Clemson got a touchdown.

Unlucky bounce

South Carolina’s previous two drives were the Gamecocks’ longest of the game, yet both ended without points. First, LaNorris Sellers was picked off by Ricardo Jones in the end zone. Then his fourth-down pass was broken up. The Gamecock defense got the ball back again, and South Carolina awas a touchdown and extra point away from a win. But Sellers looked for Harbor again, and the pass was broken up. Jones was in the right place at the right time and grabbed the ricochet and returned it 12 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.

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Two Game Balls

Vandrevius Jacobs

Jacobs had seven catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. He set a career-high for receiving yards and tied his career-high for receptions. Jacobs’ 74-yard second-quarter touchdown was the longest play of his career. 

Bryan Thomas, Jr.

Thomas had two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry. He seemed to be wherever the ball was for most of the first three quarters, before Clemson leaned on its run game to milk the clock in the fourth quarter.

One Burning Question

Who is calling plays next season?

Shane Beamer has said he hopes to hire an offensive coordinator in the next few days. South Carolina’s offense has been mired in mediocrity for a decade, ever since the Head Ball Coach was drawing up plays in timeouts on the sidelines. Beamer needs to get this hire right.

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