South Carolina football is on the road in week five SEC action, a 7 p.m. ET meeting with LSU at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Bob Wischusen will serve as the play-by-play voice for ESPN with Dan Orlovsky providing the analysis. Quint Kessenich will handle the sideline reporting.
TheBigSpur staff’s Final Predictions | What the GameDay crew said about the Gamecocks and LSU | Game Notes Dissection
This is the 22nd all-time meeting between South Carolina and LSU, with the Tigers holding a commanding 18-2-1 advantage in the series. The Bayou Bengals own a 12-1 mark when the game is played in Baton Rouge, hold a 5-1-1 lead in games played in Columbia, and won the only neutral site contest, taking the 1987 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. LSU has won the last six meetings, including a 45-24 win at Tiger Stadium in 2015, the last time the schools played. South Carolina’s last win came by an 18-17 margin in Death Valley on Oct. 1, 1994. The Gamecocks only home win over the Tigers was back in 1930 in the first meeting between the two schools, a 7-6 victory.
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FIRST QUARTER
— Gamecocks win coin toss and defer to second half.
— After a touchback, the Tigers convert on fourth down in field goal range. They drive all the way to the one-yard line. After back-to-back offsides penalties on the Gamecocks, quarterback TJ Finley pushes it in himself. It was a 16-play drive, 13 of which were run plays. It took 7:26 off the game clock and we’re already halfway through the first quarter. Tigers lead 7-0
— After touchback, jet sweep to Shi Smith goes 36 yards. They go the opposite way, same play, Smith gains some yards, but it’s coming back as Adam Prentice was called for holding. On the next play, Kevin Harris rushes 45 yards for a touchdown. Gamecocks go 75 yards in three plays, two of which counted. Tie game, 7-7
— Tiger offense brings it into the red zone, but the Gamecocks stand, highlighted by a pass breakup by Horn in the end zone on third down. Aided by Carolina’s quick touchdown drive, the LSU offense has 12:01 time of possession. There is 2:05 left in the first quarter. Tigers lead 10-7
— Not a good possession for the Gamecocks. They go three-and-out. Harris with back-to-back 3-yard gains and then Hill is sacked. Gamecock defense is about to get thrown back on the field. Punt goes to LSU 35-yard line.
— After 5-yard penalty for Tigers offense, the first quarter ends. END Q1: LSU 10 – Carolina 7
SECOND QUARTER
— First and 15 from 30-yard line quickly becomes 1st and 10 at USC 45-yard line. Now it’s down to the 21-yard line as Finley is quickly striking downfield. Gamecocks defense is going to have to make an adjustment. Too many receivers getting open looks. On 3rd and 6 from 7-yard line, Finley finds Marshall for touchdown. Horn in coverage in nickel, rub route blocks Horn from following Marshall to corner of end zone. Tigers lead 17-7
— Gamecocks first play is a 44-yard reception for Keveon Mullins. Hill is sacked on first play in LSU territory. He gets sacked again as no one can get open downfield. A couple wide open receivers downfield. Gamecocks offense continues to go backwards with a false start penalty on Dylan Wonnum. It’s now 3rd and 24 from 45-yard line. Dakereon Joyner gets it up to the 36-yard line. Parker White’s 54-yard field goal was short.
— Tigers now take over at their 37-yard line. After a couple big passing plays for the Tigers, Finely throws an interception. Mukuamu returns it 56 yards to the LSU 36-yard line, virtually where the LSU drive starter after White’s missed field goal.
— Harris rushes three yards and the four yards. On 3rd and 3, penalties on both teams. On the rerun of 3rd and 3, Hill’s arm gets hit and the pass fall incomplete. White’s next field goal attempt is from 45 yards and it’s good. Tigers lead 17-10
— Touchback. 5:22 left in the half. First play is an 8-yard gain and linebacker Ernest Jones is hurt. After two plays, Jones is back. On 3rd and 5 from LSU 49-yard line, Ed Orgeron calls a timeout. Terrace Marshall house call, broke a tackle at the first down marker. Flag on the play, roughing the passer on Kingsley Enagbare will be enforced on kickoff. Tigers lead 24-10
— Touchback. On first play Hill is hit as he throws and that impacted the throw downfield to Jalen Brooks. Deshaun Fenwick picks up first down as he runs left of the left tackle. Hill throws a pick-six. Jalen Brooks stopped on his route and freshman Eli Ricks gained position for the interception. Tigers lead 31-10
— Chunk gains by Nick Muse and Fenwick on next drive. Deep ball pass for Brooks is called for defensive pass interference. Gamecocks have it on 23-yard line. Hill tucks and gets no gain on first down. Hill picks up five yards with his legs. Josh Vann drops third down pass. White misses 34-yard field goal. Nightmare first half for Gamecocks.
— Tigers run out the clock. HALFTIME: LSU 31 – South Carolina 10
HALFTIME: LSU 31 – Carolina 10 pic.twitter.com/MPyRu05fFq
— TheBigSpur.com (@TheBigSpur247) October 25, 2020
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THIRD QUARTER
— Gamecocks desperately need a score on first possession. Harris needs two carries to pick up a first down. Hill’s first pass is batted down at the LOS. Harris with a 49-yard run and the Gamecocks are in the red zone. Luke Doty in at QB. He keeps it and picks up eight yards. Fenwick picks up the first down and it’ll be first and goal from 4-yard line. Fenwick picks up two yards. On 2nd and goal, Harris is marked down at the half yard line. It’s upheld. On 3rd and goal, Harris punches it in for the touchdown. That was a Tigers lead 31-17
— Second half opening possession washed away for Gamecocks. It’s a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown. Tigers lead 38-17
— Hill to Mullins for 57 yards and then the redshirt freshman tight end needs help getting off the field. Fenwick picks up one yards on two carries. Hill is sacked. White misses 40-yard field goal. He’s 1-of-4 tonight.
— LSU marches down the field and scores to go up 24 points. It was an 8-play, 77-yard drive. Tigers lead 45-17
— Gamecocks fail to convert on 3rd and 6 at midfield as quarter ends. END Q3: LSU 45 – South Carolina 17
FOURTH QUARTER
— Shi Smith drops first down pass. Turnover on downs.
— LSU takes it 59 yards over 10 plays to score another touchdown. First-team offense vs. first-team defense. Tigers lead 52-17
— Collin Hill remains in at quarterback. In seven plays the Gamecocks go 75 yards for a touchdown. It’s a five-yard touchdown grab for Vann. Tigers lead 52-24
— Tigers run out the clock. FINAL: LSU 52 – South Carolina 24
