Strong second half from sophomore tailback carries USC to victory
ATHENS, Ga. —Aaron Murray played exactly like an All-SEC quarterback is expected to play, completing 19-of-29 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns.
Brandon Boykin did just about whatever he wanted in the return game, totaling 184 yards on the day while nearly breaking loose for a touchdown on several occasions.
Freshman Isaiah Crowell had a coming-out party eerily similar to what UGA's opposing running back posted in 2010, rushing for 118 yards and a touchdown to complement another score in the receiving game.
And yet, when the dust cleared and the clock finally hit double zeroes Saturday night, the team celebrating between the hedges was not Georgia. It was South Carolina.
Fueled by a trio of timely turnovers, a key touchdown on special teams and the legs of Marcus Lattimore, the then-No. 12 Gamecocks did what they'd previously done just seven times in their 119-year history, rallying from a deficit five separate times to knock off the Bulldogs in Sanford Stadium 45-42.
"We've proven to ourselves that if we play as a team, we can win," Lattimore said. "We can come back from seven points down or 14 points down, and when we're up, we've just got to keep the pressure on the opponent. This game was important to show that we can do that."
The Heisman Trophy candidate put the Gamecocks on his shoulders in the second half, carrying the ball 17 times for 113 yards after struggling to gather 63 in the first. The most important stretch, however, began with just over six minutes to play in the game.
With the rabid red-and-black crowd reignited after a Crowell touchdown put the Bulldogs in front 35-31, Lattimore responded. Taking a handoff from the UGA 38 after a key first-down reception by Ace Sanders, Lattimore burst through the Georgia defensive front, rumbling his way toward the goal line before being knocked out of bounds at the 2.
Moments later, the sophomore took a strong-side pitch from Stephen Garcia and plowed through a group of Bulldog defenders for a touchdown, giving the Gamecocks a 38-35 lead with 3:21 left to play.
"As I get more carries I feel more comfortable, and I can run the ball effectively," Lattimore said. "I think I get stronger actually."
Carolina's next big play came from its defense. As Murray dropped back to pass from the UGA 30 on the ensuing possession, Jadeveon Clowney flew past the Georgia offensive line, sacking Murray at the 20 and knocking the football from his hands.
Melvin Ingram — who had already left his mark on the game with a 68-yard touchdown run on a fake punt in the second quarter — managed to scoop up the loose ball and trot into the end zone for his second score of the night, creating a seemingly secure 45-35 advantage with 3:07 on the clock.
"[The left tackle] didn't even see me coming," Clowney said. "I told the defensive line [before the play], 'Let me check the quarterback on this.' It was a close game. We'll do whatever it takes to get the win."
Just as the Bulldog faithful began to file out of the stands, however, Murray and the UGA offense put together a response of their own. Driving down to the USC 33, Murray found Tavarres King in the right corner of the end zone for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 45-42.
Carolina (2-0, 1-0 SEC) managed to recover the ensuing onside kick, but with 2:13 remaining on the clock and UGA stocked with all three timeouts, a win was certainly not guaranteed. So, with a first down standing between them and a victory over Georgia (0-2, 0-1), the Gamecocks did what they had done in tough spots all night: They gave the ball to Lattimore.
The sophomore hustled for seven yards on the first play of the drive, but was stopped at the line of scrimmage on the second, setting up a crucial third-and-3 to potentially put the game on ice.
With the clock holding just enough time for another possession, the crowd once again on its feet and 11 energized defenders staring back at him, Lattimore took the handoff, ran right and avoided several tackles to secure an 8-yard gain, shattering any UGA hopes for a last-minute comeback.
"He gives us the best chance to win," coach Steve Spurrier said. "At the beginning, there wasn't much room to run there because Georgia's line was able to stuff us. It opened up some in the second half and he was able to move the ball. He's a great back, and we had to keep going to him. He gives us hope to make any kind of run."
Spurrier's sentiments were echoed by All-American receiver Alshon Jeffery, who added five receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown of his own.
"If you've got Marcus back there, I'd give it to him every play," Jeffery said. "It worked out for us."
As for Lattimore, however, all the credit was directed at the five men blocking in front of him.
"The offensive line was mauling people," he said. "They just opened up the lanes for me. I love all those guys. They made this game. They won this game."