The Daily Gamecock

Rocky Topped: Gamecocks defeat Tennessee, 15-9

A slow offensive start didn’t prohibit the South Carolina football team (5-2) from defeating Tennessee (3-3) for the second straight season.

Behind A.J. Turner’s first touchdown of the season and three field goals from Parker White, the Gamecocks defeated the Vols 15-9 at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

The win is the second straight victory for the Gamecocks, who entered the match-up coming off a 48-22 win over Arkansas in Week 6 at Williams-Brice Stadium. The win marked the third time the Gamecocks have won at Neyland Stadium in program history, with the last coming in 2011.

How they scored

Q1

Brent Cimaglia made a 29-yard field goal to give Tennessee a 3-0 lead over the Gamecocks with 13:59 in the first quarter. The field goal gave the Vols their first lead over a Power 5 opponent this season. Drive summary: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:33.

Cimaglia made a 33-yard field goal, extending the Vols’ lead to 6-0 with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter. Drive summary: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:32.

End of Q1: Tennessee led, 6-0.

Q2

White made the longest field goal of his career at 47 yards with 10:31 in the second quarter.

Cimaglia made his third field goal of the game. This one was 24 yards out with :33 seconds before halftime, putting the Vols up, 9-3.

Halftime: Tennessee led, 9-3.

Q3

Turner scored his first touchdown of the season, rushing 20 yards into the season. Drive summary: 12 plays, 95 yards, 6:28.

End of Q3: Score tied, 9-9.

Q4

Place kicker White gave the Gamecocks their first advantage of the game with a 21-yard field goal with 5:17 left in the game. Drive summary: 16 plays, 72 yards, 9:10.

White made a 36-yard field goal, which was his third of the game. The field goal gave the Gamecocks a six-point lead with 1:13 left in the game. Drive summary: 8 plays, 28 yards, 3:12.

End of Q4: South Carolina wins, 15-9.

By the numbers

74: The Gamecocks recorded 194 rushing yards total, out-gaining Tennessee by 74 yards.

5: The Gamecocks were 0-for-5 on third down attempts in the first half, and were 0-for-1 on a fourth down attempt at midfield with 5:14 left in the second quarter. Their first third down conversion came on Jake Bentley’s 9-yard run with 5:55 left in the third quarter.

8: The Gamecock defense held Tennessee to eight total yards in the third quarter.

47: White’s 47-yard field goal in the second quarter was his longest of the season. Prior to this field goal, he was 0-for-6 on field goal attempts outside of the 40-yard line.

6: With Saturday's win, South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp is 6-0 against Tennessee in his career.

7: The Gamecock defense forced a season-high seven sacks against the Vols. Its previous highest total was four sacks for 26 yards in the season-opener against NC State.


Comments