Independence Bowl 2014: Game Grades, Analysis for Miami vs. South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks outlasted the Miami Hurricanes to manage a 24-21 victory in the 2014 Duck Commander Independence Bowl.

Steve Spurrier's team finished the year 7-6, and Spurrier avoided his first losing season since 1987—his first season as an FBS-level head coach. Miami dropped to 6-7 and still hasn't won a bowl game since 2006.

Positional Unit	1st-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	C+	C+
Run Offense	B	B-
Pass Defense	D	D-
Run Defense	B+	A-
Special Teams	B	C
Coaching	C-	D+

Pass Offense: Though Brad Kaaya completed eight of nine attempts to open the game, the freshman started to get rattled during the second quarter. Kaaya struggled without Clive Walford, the 'Canes' leading receiver during the regular season, finishing 19-of-33 for 236 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Run Offense: Duke Johnson racked up 110 yards during the first and third quarters combined but was limited to 22 throughout the second and fourth frames. Gus Edwards powered his way to a three-yard touchdown, but Johnson's fumble with five minutes, 24 seconds remaining proved costly.

Pass Defense: Miami defenders missed a handful of near-interceptions, and the secondary couldn't handle Pharoh Cooper. South Carolina picked up five first downs through the air when facing 3rd-and-6 or longer.

Run Defense: The Hurricanes front seven was strong against Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds, allowing just 58 yards on 15 carries to the talented duo. In an otherwise disappointing game, the run defense was a bright spot for Al Golden's team.

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Special Teams: While Michael Badgley connected on two field goals and one extra point, he wasn't close on a 51-yard attempt. Justin Vogel managed a season-low 28.3 yards per punt but drew a flag for running into the kicker.

Coaching: James Coley formulated an excellent first-quarter game plan, but effective adjustments were once again nonexistent. Defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio called too many slow-developing stunts for Miami's athletically limited defensive line to handle.

Positional Unit	1st-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	B+	B
Run Offense	B-	C-
Pass Defense	B+	B
Run Defense	C+	B-
Special Teams	C	B+
Coaching	B	B-

Pass Offense: Although Dylan Thompson forced a couple passes, the senior quarterback was never burned. His most impressive throw was on 3rd-and-goal from the Miami 15-yard line, where he evaded a free-rushing blitzer and found Mike Davis for the touchdown. Cooper shredded the 'Canes secondary for nine receptions and 170 yards.

Run Offense: Davis and Wilds found little running room, and the Gamecocks tallied a mere five first downs on the ground. With that being said, Thompson provided the eventual game-winning touchdown with a 3-yard score, and Davis managed the victory-sealing first down.

Pass Defense: The Gamecocks refused to allow Miami speedster Phillip Dorsett to beat them over the top, holding the nation's top yards-per-catch receiver to only 45 on five receptions. Jonathan Walton snagged a tipped pass for an interception, which led to a Gamecocks field goal.

Run Defense: The nation's No. 109 rush defense allowed 186 yards, but the Gamecocks surrendered just 34 yards during the final frame and forced a pivotal fumble. Sophomore lineman Gerald Dixon came up huge for Spurrier's team when it mattered the most.

Special Teams: Elliott Fry pushed a 40-yard field goal wide right before redeeming himself with a 32-yarder, and he added three extra points. Fry missed a borderline-unmakeable 58-yarder before the half, but that didn't affect the grade. Tyler Hull averaged 44.8 yards per punt, consistently flipping field position for South Carolina.

Coaching: Spurrier moved Cooper into the slot, something to which Miami failed to properly adjust and created the Gamecocks' first touchdown. Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward didn't call a perfect game but successfully shook Kaaya after a hot start and shut down Johnson during the final frame.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.