2014 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

Last updated

2014 South Carolina Gamecocks football
South Carolina Gamecocks logo.svg
Independence Bowl champion
Independence Bowl, W 24–21 vs. Miami (FL)
Conference Southeastern Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record7–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. (3rd season)
Co-offensive coordinator Shawn Elliott (3rd season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward (3rd season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Home stadium Williams-Brice Stadium
Seasons
  2013
2015  
2014 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 14 Missouri x  7 1   11 3  
No. 9 Georgia  6 2   10 3  
Florida  4 4   7 5  
Tennessee  3 5   7 6  
South Carolina  3 5   7 6  
Kentucky  2 6   5 7  
Vanderbilt  0 8   3 9  
Western Division
No. 4 Alabama x$^  7 1   12 2  
No. 11 Mississippi State  6 2   10 3  
No. 17 Ole Miss * 5 3   9 4  
No. 22 Auburn  4 4   8 5  
LSU * 4 4   8 5  
Texas A&M  3 5   8 5  
Arkansas  2 6   7 6  
Championship: Alabama 42, Missouri 13
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • * LSU and Ole Miss vacated all wins (except for Ole Miss' win over Presbyterian) due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2014 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Gamecocks competed as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as part of its East Division. The team was led by head coach Steve Spurrier, in his tenth year, and played its home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. They finished the season 7–6, 3–5 in SEC play to finish in fifth place in the East Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl where they defeated Miami (FL). [1]

Contents

After three eleven-win seasons, South Carolina began ranked No. 9 in the country, and tied for the eleventh-best odds to win the national championship. [2] [3] However, despite Dylan Thompson breaking the school record and leading the SEC in passing yards, [4] this season would mark the end of South Carolina's golden age. [a] The opening upset blowout loss to No. 21 Texas A&M snapped the Gamecocks' eighteen-game home winning streak. [5] The Gamecocks rebounded, winning the next three games, including an upset over No. 6 Georgia. [6] However, South Carolina lost five of their last eight games in the regular season, including a loss that sent them out of the top 25 for the first time since 2010, [7] and their first loss to archrival Clemson since 2008. [8] [9] The fourth consecutive bowl victory was a school record, but the seven wins were the fewest since 2009. [10] [11] For the rest of the mid-to-late 2010s, South Carolina would struggle to return to national prominence. [b]

Before the season

2014 recruiting class

College recruiting information (2014)
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40Commit date
Bryson Allen-Williams
LB
Ellenwood, GACedar Grove6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)222 lb (101 kg)4.92Apr 15, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Joe Blue
LB, FB
Dillon, SCDillon5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)235 lb (107 kg)-Jan 19, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Kevin Crosby
TE
Bamberg, SCBamberg Ehrhardt6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)236 lb (107 kg)4.88Jun 1, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Shaq Davidson
WR
Gaffney, SCGaffney6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.40Jul 2, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Terry Googer
WR
Atlanta, GAWoodward Academy6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)209 lb (95 kg)-Aug 16, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Wesley Green
CB
Lithonia, GAMartin Luther King Jr.5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.52Feb 5, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Al Harris Jr.
CB
Fort Lauderdale, FLSt. Thomas Aquinas5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)160 lb (73 kg)-Jul 12, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Abu Lamin
DT
Fayetteville, NCFort Scott C.C.6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)300 lb (140 kg)5.00Jul 29, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Chris Lammons
CB
Fort Lauderdale, FLPlantation5 ft 9.5 in (1.77 m)170 lb (77 kg)4.72Feb 5, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Blake McClain
DE
Ponte Vedra Beach, FLSandalwood6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)280 lb (130 kg)-Feb 5, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Kalan Ritchie
TE
Goose Creek, SCGoose Creek6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)4.80Apr 30, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Tyshun Samuel
WR
Inman, SCChapman5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)180 lb (82 kg)-Dec 5, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Dante Sawyer
DE
Suwanee, GANorth Gwinnett6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m)262 lb (119 kg)4.65Dec 17, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Michael Scarnecchia
QB
Orange Park, FLFleming Island6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)-Oct 20, 2013 
Star ratings: Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 2 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Darin Smalls
S
Summerville, SCSummerville5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)200 lb (91 kg)-Jun 22, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
D.J. Smith
CB
Marietta, GAWalton6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)191 lb (87 kg)-Jan 13, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Taylor Stallworth
DT
Mobile, ALMurphy6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)285 lb (129 kg)-Jul 27, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Donell Stanley
OT, OG
Latta, SCLatta6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)330 lb (150 kg)5.00Oct 11, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Jhaustin Thomas
DE
Decatur, GATrinity Valley C.C.6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)255 lb (116 kg)-Jun 25, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Dexter Wideman
DT
Saluda, SCSaluda6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)255 lb (116 kg)-Feb 5, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Malik Young
OG
Piedmont, SCWoodmont6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)277 lb (126 kg)4.90May 28, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 24   Rivals: 16   247Sports: 15   ESPN: 19
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "South Carolina Signee List 2014". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: South Carolina". Scout.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  • "2014 Player Signees – South Carolina". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.

National award watch lists

[12]

Preseason All-America

[12]

Preseason All-SEC

[12]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 286:00 p.m.No. 21 Texas A&M No. 9 SECN L 28–5282,847
September 67:00 p.m. East Carolina *No. 21
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
ESPNU W 33–2380,899
September 133:30 p.m.No. 6 Georgia No. 24
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC (rivalry)
CBS W 38–3584,232
September 207:30 p.m.at Vanderbilt No. 14SECNW 48–3434,441
September 277:00 p.m. Missouri No. 13
ESPN L 20–2183,493
October 47:30 p.m.at Kentucky SECNL 38–4562,135
October 1812:00 p.m. Furman *Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
SECNW 41–1078,101
October 257:30 p.m.at No. 5 Auburn SECNL 35–4287,451
November 17:30 p.m. Tennessee
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC (rivalry)
SECNL 42–45 OT81,891
November 1512:00 p.m.at Florida SECNW 23–20 OT85,088
November 2212:00 p.m. South Alabama *
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
SECRN W 37–1278,201
November 2912:00 p.m.at No. 21 Clemson *ESPNL 17–3582,720
December 274:00 p.m.vs. Miami (FL) * ABC W 24–2138,242
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Source: [13]

Roster

2014 South Carolina Gamecocks roster

Quarterbacks

  • 5 Brendan Nosovitch – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 6 Connor Mitch – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 10 Perry Orth – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 12 Michael Scarnecchia – freshman
  • 13 Grant Davitte – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 15 Austin Hails – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 17 Dylan Thompson Redshirt.svg senior

Running backs

  • 7 Shon Carson – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 22 Brandon Wilds Redshirt.svg junior
  • 28 Mike Davisjunior
  • 32 Rod Talley – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 33 David Williams – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 49 Devin Potter – Redshirt.svg sophomore

Fullbacks

  • 30 Darius Paulk – freshman
  • 31 Jordan Diaz – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 41 Connor McLaurin – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 43 Garrison Gist – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 44 Gerald Turner – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 45 Brandon Sturdivant – Redshirt.svg sophomore

Wide receivers

  • 1 Damiere Byrdsenior
  • 3 Nick Jones – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 4 Shaq Roland – junior
  • 8 Shamier Jeffery – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 9 Tyshun Samuel – freshman
  • 11 Pharoh Coopersophomore
  • 14 Shaq Davidson – freshman
  • 19 Terry Googer – freshman
  • 21 Andrew Bunch – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 29 Matrick Belton Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 80 K.J. Brent – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 82 Caleb Hines – freshman
  • 83 Carlton Heard – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 84 Matthew Harvey – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 85 Kane Whitehurst – junior
  • 87 Sean Odom – sophomore

Tight ends

  • 40 Jacob August – freshman
  • 48 Nick McGriff – freshman
  • 81 Rory Andersonsenior
  • 86 Kevin Crosby – freshman
  • 88 Drew Owens – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 89 Jerell Adamsjunior
 

Offensive line

  • 50 A.J. Cann – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 51 Cody Waldrop – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 52 Bryce King – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 53 Corey Robinson Redshirt.svg senior
  • 54 Clayton Stadnik – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 55 Na’Ty Rodgers – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 60 D.J. Park – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 65 Brock Stadnik – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 70 Alan Knott – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 71 Brandon Shell Redshirt.svg junior
  • 72 Donell Stanley – freshman
  • 74 Mason Zandi – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 75 Will Sport – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 76 Mike Matulis – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 77 Malik Young – freshman

Defensive Line (DT)

  • 52 Phillip Dukes – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 90 Taylor Stallworth – freshman
  • 92 Gerald Dixon Jr. – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 93 Deon Green – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 94 Kelsey Griffin – sophomore
  • 97 J.T. Surratt – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 99 Abu Lamin – Redshirt.svg sophomore

Defensive Line (DE)

  • 5 Darius English – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 18 Cedrick Cooper – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 34 Mason Harris – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 44 Gerald Dixon – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 51 Devin Washington – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 55 David Johnson – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 91 Blake McClain – freshman
  • 95 Michael Washington – Redshirt.svg junior
 

Linebackers

  • 4 Bryson Allen-Williams – freshman
  • 8 Kaiwan Lewis – junior
  • 10 Skai Moore – sophomore
  • 11 T.J. Holloman – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 21 Marquis Roberts – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 28 Jonathon Walton – sophomore
  • 41 Kyle Morini – Redshirt.svg senior

Spurs

  • 9 Sharrod Golightly – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 23 Larenz Bryant – sophomore
  • 42 Jordan Diggs – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 46 Cedrick Malone – Redshirt.svg sophomore

Defensive backs

  • 1 Rico McWilliams – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 3 Chris Lammons – freshman
  • 7 Wesley Green – freshman
  • 14 Ali Groves – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 15 Al Harris Jr. – freshman
  • 22 Jamari Smith – sophomore
  • 24 D.J. Smith – freshman
  • 30 Sidney Rhodes – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 35 Shannon James – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 39 Demetrius Smalls – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 43 Benjamin Russell – Redshirt.svg freshman

Safeties

  • 6 Chris Moody – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 12 Brison Williams – senior
  • 17 Chaz Elder – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 20 T.J. Gurley – junior
  • 25 Kadetrix Marcus – senior
  • 26 Jasper Sasser – Redshirt.svg freshman
  • 49 Devin Potter – Redshirt.svg sophomore

Punters

  • 13 Tyler Hull – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 18 Patrick Fish – Redshirt.svg senior

Placekickers

  • 16 Zach Cimaglia – Redshirt.svg sophomore
  • 19 Landon Ard – Redshirt.svg junior
  • 29 Elliot Fry – sophomore

Long snappers

  • 47 Drew Williamssophomore
  • 58 Ryland Culberson – Redshirt.svg senior
  • 59 Coleman Harley – Redshirt.svg junior
Source: [14]

Depth chart

For: 8/28/14 (Texas A&M)

Game summaries

Texas A&M

#21 Texas A&M Aggies at #9 South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
#21 Texas A&M102114752
#9 South Carolina7714028

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

Game information

The Gamecocks open the 2014 season with a Thursday night matchup against conference foe Texas A&M. It will be the first meeting between the two schools. With kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. EDT, this game was scheduled to be the first live football game broadcast on the SEC Network. [17] As the first game of the Gamecocks-Aggies cross-division rivalry, the winner of this game will be awarded the new Bonham Trophy, named after Alamo war hero and South Carolina alumnus James Butler Bonham. [18]

East Carolina

East Carolina Pirates at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
East Carolina6100723
#21 South Carolina71310333

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

  • Date: September 6, 2014
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 80,899
  • TV announcers (ESPN2/ESPNU): Anish Shroff, Kelly Stouffer, & Cara Capuano
Game information

South Carolina hosts East Carolina for Week 2 of the college football season. The Gamecocks hold a 12-5 all-time series record against the Pirates. [19] South Carolina won the most recent matchup in 2012 by a score of 48–10. [17] It was the first career start for then-backup QB Dylan Thompson, who threw for 330 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions in the victory. [20]

Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
#6 Georgia10371535
#24 South Carolina14107738

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

Game information

The SEC East rival Georgia Bulldogs visit South Carolina on September 13, 2014, to conclude the Gamecocks three-game homestand. Georgia leads the all-time series 48-17-2; [17] however, the Gamecocks have won three of the last four matchups, including a dominating 35–7 victory in the last meeting at Williams-Brice Stadium. [21] The Bulldogs won last year's matchup 41–30 in Athens, Georgia behind a 4 touchdown performance by Aaron Murray. [22]

Vanderbilt

South Carolina Gamecocks at Vanderbilt Commodores – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
#14 South Carolina017102148
Vanderbilt140101034

at Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, Tennessee

  • Date: September 20, 2014
  • Game time: 7:30
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 34,441
  • TV announcers (SECN): Brent Musburger, Jesse Palmer, & Maria Taylor
Game information

South Carolina travels to Vanderbilt for the first road game of the 2014 season. South Carolina holds a 19-4 all-time series record against the Commodores, and has won the last five meetings. [23]

Missouri

Missouri Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Missouri7001421
#13 South Carolina373720

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

  • Date: September 27, 2014
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Wind: NE 5 5 mph (8.0 km/h) • Weather: Partly Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 83,493
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, & Holly Rowe
Game information

The Gamecocks host the defending SEC East division champion Missouri Tigers for the 2014 Battle of Columbia. The all-time series record is tied at two wins apiece. South Carolina, however, has won both meetings since Missouri joined the SEC in 2012. [24] Last year's meeting saw Gamecocks QB Connor Shaw lead a 17-point, fourth quarter comeback in Columbia, Missouri to send the game into overtime. [25] The Gamecocks would go on to win in double overtime, becoming the only team to defeat the Tigers in the regular season. The winner of this game receives the Mayors’ Cup Trophy.

Kentucky

South Carolina Gamecocks at Kentucky Wildcats – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
South Carolina71014738
Kentucky01772145

at Commonwealth StadiumLexington, Kentucky

  • Date: October 4, 2014
  • Game time: 7:30
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 62,135
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart, Matt Stinchcomb, & Heather Mitts
Game information

South Carolina's second road test of the season takes place in Lexington, Kentucky against SEC East foe Kentucky. South Carolina leads the all-time series 17-7-1. [26] The Gamecocks have won the last three meetings, including last year's 35–28 win at home. [27]

Furman

Furman Paladins at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Furman703010
South Carolina141410341

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

  • Date: October 18, 2014
  • Game time: 12:00
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 78,101
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart, Matt Stinchcomb, & Kayce Smith
Game information

In-state FCS team Furman comes to Columbia in Week 8 with the Gamecocks coming off of a bye week.

Auburn

South Carolina Gamecocks at Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
South Carolina71414035
#4 Auburn71414742

at Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: October 25, 2014
  • Game time: 7:30
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 87,451
  • TV announcers (SECN): Brent Musburger, Jesse Palmer, & Maria Taylor
Game information

South Carolina visits the defending SEC champion Auburn Tigers on October 25, 2014. Auburn leads the all-time series 9-1-1. [17] Auburn has won all seven matchups since South Carolina joined the SEC in 1992, including the 2010 SEC Championship Game. [28]

Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Tennessee714021345
South Carolina771414042

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

  • Date: November 1, 2014
  • Game time: 7:30
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 81,891
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart, Matt Stinchcomb, & Heather Mitts
Game information

The Gamecocks host SEC East rival Tennessee for the ninth game of the 2014 season. Tennessee leads the all-time series 23-7-2, but South Carolina has won three of the last four meetings. [29] South Carolina will look to avenge last year's matchup in Knoxville, Tennessee when the Volunteers handed the Gamecocks their second and final loss of the 2013 season, made possible by a one-handed catch by WR Marquez North to set up a game-winning field goal. [30] The loss eventually cost South Carolina the SEC Eastern Division title and a trip to the SEC Championship game.

Florida

South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
South Carolina10007623
Florida01070320

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, Florida

  • Date: November 15, 2014
  • Game time: 12:00
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 85,088
  • TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal, Andre Ware, & Laura Rutledge
Game information

South Carolina comes off their second bye week with a trip to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Florida Gators in the final SEC game of the season. The Gators lead the all-time series 24-7-3; however, the Gamecocks have won three of the last four meetings. Four of the Gamecocks’ seven wins against Florida have come since Gator legend Steve Spurrier took over as head coach in 2005. [31] South Carolina's last win in Gainesville took place in 2010 in a game that clinched the Gamecocks’ first SEC East division title. [32]

South Alabama

South Alabama Jaguars at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
South Alabama360312
South Carolina10761437

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

  • Date: November 22, 2014
  • Game time: 12:00
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 78,201
  • TV announcers (FSN): Bob Rathbun, Tim Couch, & Olivia Harlan
Game information

South Carolina hosts its final home game of the 2014 season against the South Alabama Jaguars. It will be the first meeting between the two schools. [17]

Clemson

South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Tigers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
South Carolina730717
Clemson7147735

at Memorial StadiumClemson, South Carolina

  • Date: November 29, 2014
  • Game time: 12:00
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Kelly Stouffer, & Dawn Davenport
Game information

South Carolina travels to Clemson, South Carolina for the 112th Battle of the Palmetto State. Clemson leads the all-time series 65-42-4; however, South Carolina has controlled the heated rivalry series as of late, winning the last five meetings by an average margin of 16.8 points. The Gamecocks’ five game winning streak is Carolina's longest winning streak in the series. Steve Spurrier is 6–3 against the Tigers since taking over as head coach in 2005. [33] Gamecock QB Dylan Thompson made his second career start in the last matchup at Memorial Stadium, replacing injured QB Connor Shaw. Thompson threw for 249 yards with 1 touchdown in the 35–17 loss to the Tigers. [34]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP 921241413RVRVRV
Coaches 9 (1)21231615RV
CFP Not releasedNot released

Notes and references

  1. The 2010 through 2013 seasons are widely considered the best era in Gamecock football history.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000021-QINU`"''"`UNIQ--ref-00000022-QINU`"''"`UNIQ--ref-00000023-QINU`"''"`UNIQ--ref-00000024-QINU`"''"`UNIQ--ref-00000025-QINU`"''"`UNIQ--ref-00000026-QINU`"'
  2. In 2017, South Carolina would win nine games, but none against ranked opponents.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000028-QINU`"' Between 2015 and 2021, South Carolina would only be nationally ranked in two different weeks: one week at No. 24 in the CFP rankings in 2017, and one week at No. 24 in the AP Poll in 2018.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000029-QINU`"' Between 2015 and 2020, South Carolina would go 31–42, with four losing seasons.'"`UNIQ--ref-0000002A-QINU`"'
  1. "2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  2. "2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  3. "2014 College Football Championship Odds". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  4. "Dylan Thompson". University of South Carolina Athletics. June 22, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  5. "Texas A&M 52-28 South Carolina (Aug 28, 2014) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  6. "2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  7. "South Carolina Gamecocks Poll History". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  8. "2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  9. "Winsipedia - South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Clemson Tigers football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  10. "South Carolina Gamecocks College Football History, Stats, Records". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  11. "South Carolina 24-21 Miami (Dec 27, 2014) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 Whittle, John. "Carolina Players Earning Preseason Honors". 247Sports.com . Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  13. "2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  14. "Official Football Roster". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  15. "2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Depth Chart" (PDF). University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 17, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  16. 2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Depth Chart
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "South Carolina Announces 2014 Football Schedule". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  18. Hairopoulos, Kate (July 28, 2014). "One of the Best Parts of New Texas A&M-South Carolina "Rivalry"? Steve Spurrier Weighing in on the Aggies". The Dallas Morning News . Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  19. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. East Carolina". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  20. "Dylan Thompson Starts for Connor Shaw, Sparks South Carolina's Rout". ESPN . Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  21. "Connor Shaw Solid as South Carolina Squashes Georgia to Stay Unbeaten". ESPN . Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  22. "Aaron Murray, No. 11 Georgia Top No. 6 S. Carolina in SEC East Clash". ESPN . Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  23. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  24. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Missouri". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  25. "Connor Shaw Rallies South Carolina by Mizzou in 2 OTs". ESPN . Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  26. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Kentucky". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  27. "No. 13 South Carolina Wins Minus Jadeveon Clowney". ESPN . Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  28. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Auburn". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  29. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Tennessee". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  30. "Connor Shaw Hurt as No. 11 South Carolina Falls to Tennessee". ESPN . Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  31. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Florida". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  32. "Steve Spurrier, South Carolina Shut Down Florida to Clinch SEC East". ESPN . Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  33. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Clemson". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  34. "South Carolina vs. Clemson - Game Summary". ESPN. November 28, 2014. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.