A solid offense, but a much better defense helped the South Carolina Gamecocks defeat the East Carolina Pirates.
A disruptive Jadeveon Clowney and a strong defensive line forced the Pirates to set sail with a 10-48 loss.
Picks and interceptions were some of the key elements to the victory over East Carolina, but you can't get the wheels moving without a good driver, and Dylan Thompson proved to Gamecock fans that his license is valid.
East Carolina gained 403 yards. But the Pirates turned the ball over five times, including four interceptions and a fumble in just 16 plays.
High expectations were on one of the nation's top running backs, Marcus Lattimore, to help carry ninth ranked South Carolina to a win in a non-conference contest against East Carolina, as Thompson replaced injured quarterback, Connor Shaw.
An early completion by Thompson set the pace of Saturday's game as the Gamecocks hit the field fired up and ready to take it to the zone.
After two incomplete passes, Thompson seemed confident at the starting QB spot with a connection to Damiere Byrd early in the game for 53 yards, helping set up Lattimore for his 33rd touchdown, tying the school record.
By the end of the 1st quarter, Gamecocks lead 14-0 with Thompson 7 of 11 passing for 200 yards with a touchdown.
Second quarter began with Thompson showing off his running skills, not quite Connor Shaw speed, but enough speed to get a 1st down. Mid second quarter Thompson threw a 30-yard touchdown to DeAngelo Smith stretching South Carolina's lead 21-0.
With just over a minute into the second half, Shaq Wilson would get his fifth pick of his career, while Thompson connected with D.L. Moore for a touchdown.
Thompson completed 21 of 37 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns
The rejuvenated passing game allowed Spurrier to use star running back Marcus Lattimore sparingly. He gained 40 yards on 13 carries to help South Carolina defeat East Carolina 48-10.
With the win, the Gamecocks improve to 2-0 on the season.
Thursday, April 25 2013 7:03 AM EDT2013-04-25 11:03:18 GMT
(RNN) - Big guys are likely to be the stars of the show Thursday night when the NFL Draft again airs in primetime on ESPN, live from Radio City Music Hall. Barring unforeseen weirdness - which can never
The NFL Draft with all its drama and uncertainty airs live in prime time Thursday night. Luke Joeckel, Manti Te'o, SEC stars and borderline quarterbacks are among this year's mysteries.
Thursday, April 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-04-19 00:52:03 GMT
(RNN) - Spring practice in the SEC climaxes Saturday when five more teams hold their annual spring scrimmages. Interesting fact: So far the biggest attendance at a spring game this season was at Kentucky
New coaches at Tennessee, Auburn and Arkansas will give us the first glimpse of their teams in Saturday's SEC spring games. Two-time defending national champion Alabama and Mississippi State also give fans a break from the long college football offseason.
Thursday, April 11 2013 7:00 AM EDT2013-04-11 11:00:16 GMT
Many Southeastern Conference football fans will finally get a look at their favorite teams this Saturday, April 13, and several of the annual spring games will be broadcast on TV and on the Web.Texas A&M
Southeastern Conference fans are beginning to stir as South Carolina, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky all hold their annual spring football games on Saturday, April 13.
Monday, January 7 2013 6:00 AM EST2013-01-07 11:00:08 GMT
Miami (RNN) - Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said the team that makes the most mistakes may well win tonight. Not a misprint.He explained that odd statement Sunday at the final news conference before the
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said the team that makes the most mistakes may win tonight. He meant the team that takes the most chances, forces the action and sets the pace. Teams that do that make mistakes. But they cause the other guys to make mistakes, too.
Sunday, January 6 2013 11:52 AM EST2013-01-06 16:52:47 GMT
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly shook hands Sunday morning in front of the Coaches' Trophy, the prize their two teams want to take home Monday night.
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly shook hands Sunday morning in front of the Coaches' Trophy, the prize their two teams want to take home Monday night.
Friday, December 7 2012 8:37 AM EST2012-12-07 13:37:38 GMT
(RNN) - Butch Jones has been hired as the next head football coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, according to ESPN. Jones has resigned from his position as Cincinnati's head coach, effective immediately,
Butch Jones has been hired as the next head football coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, according to ESPN.
Thursday, November 29 2012 12:54 PM EST2012-11-29 17:54:22 GMT
Offensively, Alabama and Georgia both feature efficient if not flashy quarterbacks, steady if not high-profile receivers and a pair of running backs anyone would love to have. The breakdown: Quarterback: Georgia
Alabama and Georgia both feature efficient if not flashy quarterbacks, steady if not high-profile receivers and a pair of running backs anyone would love to have. Georgia's defense has more stars; Alabama's defense has performed better as a unit.
Monday, November 26 2012 6:15 PM EST2012-11-26 23:15:13 GMT
It is never too early to project where those teams will play, who they will play and, for good measure, the result.
The chaos of the scramble to play in the BCS Championship Game has come down to one possibility - the winner of Bama-Georgia plays Notre Dame. But how the rest of the bowl pairings might shake out is another interesting puzzle. Here are our projections.
Wednesday, November 21 2012 7:09 PM EST2012-11-22 00:09:55 GMT
It's rivalry week and some of these are really good, some have somber implications as we prepare to bid au revoir to future former coaches and others are meh.
The Egg Bowl offers much drama this year; South Carolina shoots for four straight against Clemson; Florida-Florida State has national title implications.
Thursday, November 15 2012 4:55 PM EST2012-11-15 21:55:31 GMT
(RNN) - This is mostly a week of throwaway games as SEC teams prep for next week, which features turkey, dressing and a lot of rivalry games.But a bad November Saturday in SEC Country watching ball is
Can Johnny Football gain 1 billion yards? Can Alabama score 1 billion points? And can Vanderbilt beat Tennessee for only the second time in 1 billion years? Tune in this week and find out.
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