Misstep in Missouri: Gamecocks mount comeback but fall short against Tigers
South Carolina quarterback Jason Brown lay on the turf in the north end zone at Memorial Stadium and glared up into the cool Missouri night.
After a heroic effort lifting USC to a win over Florida last week, Brown could only stare into the sky as Missouri defensive end and Irmo High School product Trajan Jeffcoat scooped up a fumble in the South Carolina end zone for an emphatic final stamp on the Tigers’ 31-28 win Saturday night.
A week ago, the Gamecocks (5-5, 2-5 SEC) were crisp and explosive. They dominated Florida on both lines of scrimmage. They bludgeoned Dan Mullen’s squad with a dynamic rushing attack and smothered Gators quarterback Emory Jones with consistent pressure.
Saturday, though, the cold Midwest conditions on the tundra in Columbia stalled South Carolina’s momentarily scorching offensive display of the week past.
Brown — who completed 13 of his first 15 throws against Florida — lacked the crispness he showcased in his first start in the garnet and black. Dropping back on South Carolina’s second play from scrimmage, the former St. Francis signal-caller undershot Dakereon Joyner and watched his toss land in the arms of Missouri defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine.
Brown finished his night 16 of 30 for 193 yards with two touchdowns and an interception — though Missouri had two picks overturned because of penalties.
South Carolina momentarily responded to the early adversity of Saturday night’s wackiness when Kevin Harris’ one-yard touchdown plunge capped off an eight-play, 45-yard drive courtesy of a Connor Bazelak interception.
First-half offensive blip aside, the Gamecocks flopped when afforded chances to stretch out its 7-0 lead. MarShawn Lloyd gave South Carolina the national lead in fumbles lost when he mishandled a handoff from Brown in the first quarter.
USC sandwiched its next touchdown — a 26-yard scramble drill connection between Brown and Josh Vann — with a pair of punts as Missouri marched down the field and connected on a last-second field goal to take a 17-14 halftime lead.
South Carolina followed up its sluggish first half by slogging through 25 of the final 30 minutes of Saturday’s contest. Facing a Missouri defense that had struggled to stop a Hot Wheels car, let alone a Southeastern Conference offense this fall, the Gamecocks’ first four drives of the second half resulted in two punts, a fumble and a turnover on downs. South Carolina notched just five yards of offense in Saturday’s third quarter as Eli Drinkwitz’s squad watched its lead balloon to 17 points.
White gave the Gamecocks one last gasp when he slipped into the open field on a pass from Brown and scampered 38 yards into the end zone to pull South Carolina within two possessions with just under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.
After a Brad Johnson interception deep in Missouri territory, White notched his second touchdown of the night to give the Gamecocks one last breath of life when he plunged forward for a three-yard score.
But as he did throughout the night, it was Tigers tailback Tyler Badie — who finished with 209 yards on 34 touches — who carried Missouri to the victory with an 11-yard first down run to put Saturday’s chilly game on ice.
As fans roared in approval at the Tigers’ win, Missouri’s in-house DJ flipped on “Sandstorm” — South Carolina’s celebratory calling card.
A week ago, Darude’s techno bop represented a rocking Williams-Brice Stadium and a statement win over Florida. Saturday in central Missouri, it was a reminder that South Carolina is limping toward a conclusion to the season that feels increasingly like it will end without a postseason berth.
First Down
After recording a season-high 284 rush yards against Florida last week, South Carolina’s anemic ground game returned Saturday.
The Gamecocks trio of Kevin Harris, MarShawn LLoyd and ZaQuandre White combined for just 104 yards rushing on 30 carries against the Tigers.
Touchdown
Among the few bright spots in South Carolina’s loss Saturday, Josh Vann continued to find a late season form that could help spark the Gamecocks’ offense in its final two games.
Vann exploded for 127 yards and 128 yards against East Carolina and Georgia, respectively, in Weeks 2 and 3. But after five weeks in which he didn’t notch more than 45 yards receiving, the former four-star recruit has now gone consecutive games with at least 60 yards.
Key Numbers
2 — South Carolina’s number of fumbles lost to Missouri
5 — The Gamecocks’ total yards in Saturday’s third quarter
South Carolina football schedule: Next game
South Carolina (5-5, 2-5 SEC) hosts Auburn at 7 p.m. next Saturday (ESPN).
SC Gamecocks vs Missouri box score, stats
——HOW THEY SCORED——
First Quarter
USC—K.Harris 2 run (P.White kick), 10:24.
Second Quarter
MIZZ—Parker 2 pass from Bazelak (Mevis kick), 14:26.
MIZZ—Cooper 60 pass from Bazelak (Mevis kick), 12:09.
USC—Vann 26 pass from Jas.Brown (P.White kick), 4:19.
MIZZ—FG Mevis 19, 15:00.
Third Quarter
MIZZ—Jeffcoat 0 fumble return (Mevis kick), 4:28.
Fourth Quarter
MIZZ—Badie 19 run (Mevis kick), 12:31.
USC—Z.White 38 pass from Jas.Brown (P.White kick), 6:56.
USC—Z.White 3 run (P.White kick), 4:32.
——TEAM STATS——
- First downs: Missouri 20-16
- Total yards: Missouri 438-250
- Rush yards: Missouri 258 to 57
- Pass yards: USC 193-180
- Time of poss: USC 42:00 to 14:54
——PLAYER STATS——
RUSHING—South Carolina, Z.White 10-60, Harris 14-36, Lloyd 6-8, Bell 1-3, Jas.Brown 4-(minus 50). Missouri, Badie 34-209, Cox 3-16, D.Lovett 1-15, Chism 1-10, M.Wilson 2-10, B.Cook 2-5, Cooper 1-2, (Team) 1-(minus 1), Bazelak 1-(minus 8).
PASSING—South Carolina, Jas.Brown 16-30-1-193. Missouri, Bazelak 15-23-2-180.
RECEIVING—South Carolina, Vann 5-62, Z.White 2-42, Bell 2-28, Lloyd 2-25, Rollins 1-10, Brooks 1-9, Muse 1-8, Harris 1-6, Legette 1-3. Missouri, Badie 5-22, Cooper 3-72, Parker 2-19, Dove 2-16, Smith 1-47, Chism 1-4, Hea 1-0.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.
This story was originally published November 13, 2021 at 7:21 PM.
