Report Card: South Carolina survives Vanderbilt at Williams-Brice Stadium

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina improved to 6-2 (4-2 SEC) after its 34-27 win over Vanderbilt at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday.

How did the Gamecocks grade out in the win? SEC Country passes out this week’s grades below.

Offense: A-minus

South Carolina’s 24 points in the first half were the most this season. The Gamecocks’ previous high was 21 points against NC State. It was also the third-most in the Will Muschamp era and the most against an SEC opponent under the second-year head coach.

The Gamecocks set season highs with 212 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. Sophomore running back A.J. Turner finished with 15 carries for 121 yards and a score. It was the team’s first 100-yard game of the season.

Sophomore quarterback was second among South Carolina ball carriers with 47 yards and 2 scores, which ties him for the team-high in rushing touchdowns. He connected on 19 of 29 throws for 174 yards and a touchdown, a 36-yard hookup with freshman wide receiver Shi Smith.

Smith led all Gamecocks receivers with 5 receptions for 76 yards against Vanderbilt. Junior tight end Hayden Hurst, who also was heavily targeted, had 4 catches for 31 yards.

The team totaled 10 chunk plays – passes of 20 or more yards and runs of 10 or more yards. Eight of the chunk plays were on the ground.

This was the most complete offensive performance by South Carolina in 2017.

Defense: C-minus

Vanderbilt Kyle Shurmur completed 27 of 49 passes for 333 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception, an easy grab by junior defensive back Steven Montac that setup Parker White’s 44-yard field goal in the second quarter.

For the first time all season, junior cornerback Rashad Fenton gave up a touchdown. The third-quarter play, a 47-yard grab by Kalija Lipscomb, was a 50/50 ball that was wrestled away from the Gamecocks star cornerback. Fenton’s receivers were targeted often throughout the game, allowing him to finish with 4 pass breakups.

Vanderbilt’s performance was the second-best passing output surrendered by South Carolina’s defense this season. The Gamecocks gave up 107 yards on 23 carries for an average of 4.7 yards per run.

Though there might be some concern over the lack of pressure on Shurmer, Muschamp didn’t seem too upset about the lack of sacks.

Special teams: B

White converted on kicks from 44 and 39 yards, but missed one from 47. Five of his seven seven kickoffs went for touchbacks.

Redshirt sophomore punter Joseph Charlton averaged 48 yards per punt with a long of 54.

Coaching: B

Co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper called a solid game, mixing up the run and pass after going heavy with the pass to start the game. Kudos are also in order for running backs coach Bobby Bentley and the rest of the offensive staff for sticking with Turner, who had the hot hand running the ball.

Defensively, the performance might have left a little bit to be desired on the stat sheet, but the group stood tall on another late drive, much like it did against North Carolina State and Tennessee. Some of that has to be credited to the Gamecocks defensive brain trust.

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