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Video Box Score
By Scott Crumbly
Twitter: @ScottCrumbly
SEC Digital Network
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – South Carolina visited Florida inside The Swamp on Saturday afternoon and the Gamecocks did not fare well, falling to the Gators 44-11. Florida (7-0, 6-0 SEC) capitalized on three first half turnovers from South Carolina to jump out to an early lead and the Gators never looked back.
Florida recovered a Connor Shaw fumble inside the 5-yard line on USC’s first possession and Jeff Driskel hit Jordan Reed three plays later for six. The Gamecocks (6-2, 4-2) committed another fumble in the second quarter that led to another Driskel-to-Reid connection in the end zone, and the Gators went into the locker room with a 21-6 lead at the half. The Gators then opened up the second half with a 10-play, 59-yard drive that ended with an Omarius Hines touchdown run and the rout was on from there.
It was the third consecutive win for the Gators in which Driskel and company did not eclipse the 100-yard mark through the air, but UF showed once again that it does not need its sophomore quarterback to carry the load with his arm. Despite only 14 attempts however, Driskel finished the game with four touchdown passes.
The Gators were led on the ground by senior running back Mike Gillislee, who ran for 37 yards. Matt Jones scored on a one-yard plunge in the fourth quarter as well.
South Carolina signal-callers Shaw and Dylan Thompson combined for just 40 yards through the air against the Florida defense, and the Gamecocks were unable to overcome four turnovers on the day. Marcus Lattimore was limited to just 13 yards on three carries and USC was held to 36 rushing yards as a team.
Statistical Leaders
Florida
Passing – Jeff Driskel, 10-for-14, 95 yards, 4 TD
Rushing – Mike Gillislee, 16 car, 37 yards
Receiving – Jordan Reed, 4 rec, 44 yards, 2 TD
South Carolina
Passing – Connor Shaw, 9-for-20, 72 yards
Rushing – Mike Davis, 6 car, 20 yards
Receiving – Ace Sanders, 2 rec, 32 yards
Quick Notes
· Saturday’s showdown with Florida was the third consecutive game for South Carolina against a top-10 team.
· Florida has outscored its seven opponents by a combined score of 121-28 in the second half this season.