South Carolina vs. Arkansas: 5 Things We Learned from the Gamecocks

It was a rough night for the South Carolina Gamecocks, who were defeated by Arkansas 44-28. Not only did they lose, but as a result they fell into second place in the SEC East. The offense and defense both showed that they have some holes to plug, and after a couple weeks of squeaking by for wins you almost got a sense that this was mounting, and ready to cost the Gamecocks.

Here are a few things we learned in brief Saturday evening as far as South Carolina is concerned.

1. Running Game Lost Without Marcus Lattimore

South Carolina was held to under 100 rushing yards, and quarterback Connor Shaw led the Gamecocks in rushing with 47 yards and a pair of touchdowns. If South Carolina is going to bounce back and contend for the SEC East title, they will need to fix that area of the offense and find a replacement for Marcus Lattimore.

Clearly this is much easier said than done.

2. South Carolina Defense Can't Stop the Pass

South Carolina gave up nearly 300 yards of passing offense to Arkansas as the Gamecocks showed they were vulnerable to a potent air attack. In the second quarter, Arkansas completed two passes over the middle that went for touchdowns to help the Razorbacks pull away early.

3. Turnovers Kill Chances of Winning, but Who Didn't Know That?

It can be sort of mundane to speak about how turnovers can change the outcome of a game, but in a game like this it was painfully clear for South Carolina just how important protecting the football is. South Carolina turned the ball over four times, with quarterback Connor Shaw doing so three times with one interception and two fumbles.

Arkansas turned the football over once.

4. Gamecocks Special Teams Was Not so Special

After South Carolina got on the scoreboard to take an early 7-3 lead on Arkansas, Razorbacks kick returner Dennis Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards to get the home team back on top. It was not a great night for South Carolina's special teams as a whole, either.

The Gamecocks averaged just 38 yards per punt. They did not kick any field goals while giving up three. Johnson had the kickoff return touchdown and ended with 130 yards on returns.

5. Gamecocks Fall Behind Georgia in SEC East

South Carolina may have won the head-to-head matchup at the beginning of the season, but now Georgia controls their own destiny in the SEC East race. By virtue of South Carolina losing their second SEC game of the season, the Bulldogs slide into first place after a week without SEC competition on the schedule.

If Georgia loses another game and South Carolina wins out, then the Gamecocks will be back on top due to the head-to-head victory. It is not the position you want to be in with questions on offense, but crazier things have happened.