No. 18 South Carolina football takes care of business against FCS foe Wofford

For the second week in a row, South Carolina football fell behind by three points early. But unlike last weekend against Missouri, the Gamecocks weren’t destined for a nail-biter finish against Wofford. South Carolina won the contest 56-12.

Coming into the game against the Terriers, the Gamecocks were -42.5 point favorites, per ESPN. However, Kyle Watkins took a screen 63 yards on the first play to get Wofford into the redzone. The Gamecocks defense stuffed the Terriers three plays straight subsequently. The chunk play was enough to get Wofford into field goal range, and they hit from 27 yards out. 

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The Terrier momentum lasted for another drive, as LaNorris Sellers was intercepted by Amir Annoor on the left sideline. But Wofford couldn’t capitalize on the good field position, and punted. 

Then, South Carolina proceeded to march 95 yards down the field. After a hold, Rocket Sanders got into the endzone from 11 yards out to give the Gamecocks the lead. The drive featured three third-down conversions. 

On the next drive for the Terriers, it seemed OD Fortune secured his fourth interception of the season. But his pick and subsequent run back into Wofford territory was called back for a roughing the passer penalty. The Terriers did end up punting after a sack from Kyle Kennard, moving his season total to 11.5. 

A deep ball to Dalevon Campbell kicked off the next drive for a 58-yard gain. Three plays later, the Gamecocks were in the endzone. LaNorris Sellers took a quarterback sneak in from a yard out to make the score 14-3. 

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Not to be outdone, Wofford answered with a touchdown of their own. Almost. After a successful fake punt, a pass on a fake field goal attempt got into the endzone. But it was called back for a false start, and the Terriers remained at three points. 

After a three and out from South Carolina, Wofford took advantage of quality field position. Starting at the Wofford 43-yard line, the Terriers marched down the field. On third and goal, Amari Odom found Dylan Djete in the end zone for a score. Wofford went for two but Debo Williams picked the conversion attempt off in the end zone. 

In another two-minute drill situation, the Gamecocks secured a much-needed answer. LaNorris Sellers led the offense down the field, and after a sack, bounced back down to the red zone. There, he tossed a quick touchdown to Maurice Brown II to make the margin double-digits before half time. The score entering the break was 21-9, South Carolina. 

Receiving the ball to start the second quarter, South Carolina moved down the field with ease. Sellers found Nyck Harbor on a post route from 26 yards out to give the Gamecocks a comfortable margin, 28-9.

Alex Huntley sacked Amari Odom on third down on the next Terriers drive, forcing them to punt. After LaNorris Sellers converted with his legs on a South Carolina third down, the Gamecocks struck again. This time, Sellers found a wide-open Gage Larvadain in the endzone for his first touchdown as a Gamecock. With three minutes to go in the third quarter, it was a 35-9 ballgame.

The Terriers marched down the field and into the red zone. But on third down from the USC 7, Bryan Thomas Jr. sacked Amari Odom. Wofford settled for a field goal to make the score 35-12.

LaNorris Sellers was taken out of the game midway through the next Gamecocks drive as Robby Ashford entered. The senior quarterback then found the endzone on a designed QB run to extend the South Carolina lead to 42-12. That margin would remain for all of three minutes.

Wofford quickly punted their next drive, bringing Robby Ashford back onto the field. Ashford led the Gamecocks down the field, when Jawarn Howell ran past and through a couple defenders. From 27 yards out, the sophomore added six more points. With the extra point, South Carolina led 49-12 with just over seven minutes to go.

Wofford punted after four plays on the ensuing drive, bringing the Gamecocks offense back on the field. Davis Beville and Bradley Dunn starred on the final drive, rushing with reckless abandonment. Bradley Dunn found the endzone with nine seconds left in the contest for his first career touchdown.

The margin moved to 56-12, South Carolina, where it would stay for the final nine seconds.

Next up

South Carolina travels to Clemson next weekend. The game will kick off at noon EST, and air on ESPN. It will be the 121st iteration of the rivalry. The last two meetings have been split 1-1.