By: Sean Cartell
Twitter: @SEC_Sean
SEC Digital Network
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NASHVILLE – Marcus Lattimore turned in his ninth career 100-yard rushing effort and No. 9 South Carolina overcame two early turnovers and a fourth-quarter deficit to escape with a 17-13 win against Vanderbilt on Thursday.
Lattimore, the Gamecocks’ All-America tailback candidate, and quarterback Connor Shaw combined for 202 of South Carolina’s 205 total rushing yards in the opening Southeastern Conference game of the 2012 season. Lattimore finished the game with two touchdowns, which gives him 32 scores for his career and puts him within one TD of the school-record 33 held by George Rogers and Harold Green.
South Carolina jumped on the board early with a 29-yard touchdown by Lattimore and a 20-yard field goal by Adam Yates to take a 10-0 advantage with 11:44 left in the second quarter. Vanderbilt then ran off 13 points in a row, highlighted by a 78-yard touchdown by Jordan Matthews from quarterback Jordan Rodgers.
Lattimore’s one-yard run for touchdown with 11:25 left in the game gave the Gamecocks the final 17-13 advantage.
Statistical Leaders—Vanderbilt
Passing
J. Rodgers: 13-for-23, 214 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Z. Stacy: 13 carries, 48 yards (3.7 average)
W. Tate: 7 carries, 17 yards (2.4 average)
Receiving
J. Matthews: 8 catches, 147 yards, 1 TD
Statistical Leaders—South Carolina
Passing
C. Shaw: 7-for-11, 67 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
M. Lattimore: 23 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD (4.8 average)
C. Shaw: 14 carries, 92 yards (6.6 average)
Receiving
M. Lattimore: 3 catches, 21 yards