South Carolina-Southern Miss: Top 10 Gamecock Performers
There were many impressive performances on both sides of the ball in South Carolina's dominating 41-13 victory over a good Southern Miss team.
This game was filled with great plays and big time playmakers.
A couple of great freshmen made impressive debuts. Veterans proved why they belong.
Here are the game's top 10 players.
10. Devin Taylor, DE
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While not registering a sack, Devin Taylor did an excellent job tackling, with five tackles (there solo) being credited to his name.
He is also credited with one hurry, but if you watched the game, his presence was definitely felt.
To top it all off, he had a beautiful pass deflection in the backfield that was almost ruled a fumble. It was one of the prettiest plays of the night.
9. Connor Shaw, QB
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True, his statistics were not gaudy. However, his performance in the first game of his career shows that coach Steve Spurrier still can pick good quarterbacks.
Connor Shaw proved that he can run. He is an extremely fast quarterback, rushing for 44 yards. He did get sacked three times, though. He also threw the game's only touchdown pass, going 4-of-5 for 32 yards and a touchdown.
South Carolina may have THREE good quarterbacks on this team that can bring three different skill sets to the table (Stephen Garcia, Shaw, and Stephon Gilmore).
8. Akeem Auguste, S
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Akeem Auguste is a brutal tackler. When he hits, you can hear it all over the stadium. The switch from corner to safety was a wise one and looks as though it will pay early dividends.
Auguste seems to be the visual emotional leader of the team. His eight tackles (including one for loss) show that he can produce all over the field. He will be a star player if he keeps hitting like he did against Southern Miss.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Spencer Lanning, K
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Steve Spurrier said it best himself when he said he was one of the best there is.
Spencer Lanning hit two of two field goals and had an otherworldly 52 yards per punt average. Lanning is a serious threat to be considered the best kicker in college football.
6. DeVonte Holloman, S
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DeVonte Holloman may have made the play of the game with the interception early on. This momentum-swinging play may have been the key to the blowout that ensued.
He also had seven tackles to go with the Gamecocks' only pick.
5. Stephon Gilmore, CB, QB
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Stephon Gilmore proved that he is one of the best players in the country. He literally blanketed DeAndre Brown for most of the game. It wasn't until late in the game that Brown made his presence known.
That is a testament to what Gilmore can do.
On defense, he also tallied six solo tackles and had one pass breakup.
He made his presence known on offense as well. He rushed one time for 14 yards, but beyond that, just being on the field running that triple option kept the defenses guessing.
His one pass was a throwaway, but it proves he does have passes in the playbook.
4. Alshon Jeffery, WR
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Alshon Jeffery is one of the most underrated players in college football. He doesn't show up on any of the top wide receiver lists.
I'll go out on a limb and say that Alshon is better than A.J. Green.
All he did was go for 106 yards receiving. No touchdowns, but his ability to get open and win jump-ball contests kept the defense focused on him and allowed the running game to go.
3. Ace Sanders, WR
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When Ace Sanders touched the ball on the reverse and sped upfield for 53 yards, everyone who was watching the game just went crazy.
That kid is fast—super fast.
I mean, he makes Bryce Sherman (who is an excellent kick returner) look like Kyle Nunn.
This was a coming-out party of sorts for him. He doesn't have the name like Marcus Lattimore.
He certainly has the game, going for 100 total yards (53 rushing, 47 receiving).
2. Marcus Lattimore, RB
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Marcus Lattimore is the real deal. He only rushed for 54 yards (3.9 average) and received for 21 yards...but he scored twice. In his first collegiate game, he found the end zone to be a familiar place.
The stats do not tell the whole story with Marcus.
When you see him run in person, he lowers his shoulder and brings the boom. He has excellent balance and hits the hole hard.
He is a violent runner.
Welcome to South Carolina, Mr. Lattimore.
1. Stephen Garcia, QB
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Tim Tebow Jr.?
Not quite, but much better than the criticisms have been of him. He was very good passing and extremely powerful running.
He proved to be the leader of the team and one of the toughest players both mentally and physically in America.
Going 16-of-23 for 193 yards may not be gaudy. But he was efficient. He led the offense smoothly and allowed the running game to blossom.
The first touchdown, when Garcia delivered a blow to a safety and still made it into the end zone, will go down in Gamecock history.
Simply an incredible game and very deserving of the No. 1 spot here.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
