Harris makes history, but Gamecocks close turbulent 2020 with loss to Kentucky
The highlights of what will likely be the final game of South Carolina’s 2020 football season run something like this.
Kevin Harris, a second-year tailback who wasn’t supposed to be the starter, became the eighth player in the history of the program to surpass 1,000 yards. Wide receiver Shi Smith got back from a concussion to play his final game in a Gamecocks uniform.
Beyond a few plays by little-used players late, that’s about it.
USC trailed by 24 at halftime and dropped the regular season finale 41-18. The season that saw Will Muschamp get fired seven games in wrapped up with a six-game losing streak.
“Another tough night for our football team,” interim coach Mike Bobo said. “It’s been a tough year and it was another tough night. ... It’s been a tough year for these kids; just didn’t have enough tonight. I appreciate our kids fighting.”
South Carolina (2-8) found a few openings early against Kentucky’s defense, but as has been an issue all year, there wasn’t much consistency.
Then the Gamecocks defense got pushed around. It had only two opening-day starters left on a unit that’s been ravaged by injuries, opt-outs and some COVID-19 impacts. The Gamecocks traveled to Kentucky with 47 scholarship players, according to the SEC Network.
“Just depleted over there,” Bobo said of USC’s defense. “It’s a tough situation.”
South Carolina and Kentucky are the only SEC teams to play their full schedules as planned. Every other team in the conference had games moved by COVID-19 impacts.
Bobo lamented the lack of a passing game — quarterback Luke Doty completed 11 passes for 85 yards, one touchdown and an interception — but praised Harris and those who blocked for him. Harris has 1,138 rushing yards in 10 games.
Harris finished with 210 yards on 21 carries in the game and joined Gamecock greats George Rogers and Marcus Lattimore as the only players in program history with multiple 200-yard rushing games in their career.
“I wish I could’ve given it double that amount, 42 times,” Bobo said. “Hats off to Kevin, a phenomenal year. That’s a team award.”
Seven weeks ago, the Gamecocks looked to be on track for some success this season, having lost a key game to what seemed like a good Tennessee team but bouncing back to upset ranked Auburn in Columbia to get to 2-2.
Then came blowout losses to LSU and Texas A&M. Giving up 59 to Ole Miss ended the Will Muschamp era after 58 games. With the season wrapped, the Gamecocks are closing in on a head coach hire. Athletic Director Ray Tanner has interviewed multiple candidates and the news likely will come this week.
“The season didn’t go how we wanted it to go, but at the end of the day you just have to get better,” defensive lineman Jabari Ellis said.
The loss almost assuredly means the season is over, but it might not be. The SEC will have between 12 and 13 bowl spots to fill. The NCAA waived the six-win requirement for bowl eligibility this season because of the COVID pandemic.
If the conference has 12 spots, South Carolina might join Vanderbilt in staying home. If it’s the latter, the Gamecocks would almost assuredly at least be offered the chance for one more game. Asked about such plans, Tanner said the school will work with the SEC on that matter.
Observations from Gamecocks vs. Wildcats
▪ UK offensive coordinator Eddie Gran took advantage of the Gamecocks’ thin and young defense. The Wildcats used plenty of motion and then bunch-style route combinations to crack big plays. Then they’d follow with tempo, which created some back-to-back sequences.
▪ Jakai Moore got the start over Jazston Turnetine at left tackle. USC has rotated players at that spot and never really found the needed production.
▪ At one point, South Carolina’s defensive third down-package had preseason fourth-string Buck lineman Rod Fitten standing in the middle and walk-on Noah Vincent as an edge linebacker, an indication of just how much of the depth had been lost.
▪ Punter Kai Kroeger got to show off his arm a little deep in the blowout, dropping a 22-yard pass to a wide-open Dakereon Joyner.
This story was originally published December 5, 2020 at 11:08 PM.
