The Steve Spurrier Era: Best Gamecock Performances 11-25
By Rixon Lane
After yesterday’s list of the 10 best Gamecock performances under Steve Spurrier, one of our readers suggesting completing the top 25.
We aim to please here at Garnet and Cocky, so here are the rest of the greatest single-game performances during Steve Spurrier’s time at South Carolina.
25. Spencer Lanning vs. Georgia (2009)
In one of the wildest shootouts in South Carolina history, the senior kicker helped keep the Gamecocks in the contest. Lanning booted a career-high five field goals, a school record. Even though South Carolina wound up falling to the Bulldogs, Lanning had his best outing as a Gamecock. He even picked up a key first down on his only career rushing attempt.
24. Bobby Wallace vs. Middle Tennessee (2006)
Wallace’s first touchdown as a Gamecock was one for the record books. In a seemingly forgetful rout of the Blue Raiders, Wallace led the team in rushing yards on just three carries. His 88-yard touchdown run was the fourth-longest in school history and helped South Carolina put up 52 points, the most for a Gamecock team in 11 years.
23. Alshon Jeffery vs. Auburn (2010)
On the road against the eventual national champions, Jeffery has one of the best games of his college career. The sophomore pulled in eight catches for a career-high 192 yards, the fourth-most receiving yards in a single game ever for a Gamecock receiver. South Carolina lost to Auburn, but Jeffery’s performance still stands as one of the best ever by a Gamecock pass-catcher.
22. Marcus Lattimore vs. Navy (2011)
In a career full of outstanding performances, Lattimore’s best statistical day came against Navy. A scrappy Midshipmen team gave the Gamecocks all they could handle, but Lattimore saved the day with a career-high 246 rushing yards. The sophomore carried the ball 37 times for three touchdowns and led South Carolina to a narrow, three-point win.
21. Marcus Lattimore vs. Troy (2010)
The Gamecocks rolled up 69 points against the Trojans, the most ever under Spurrier, but it was Lattimore who stood out. He reached the end zone on South Carolina’s first play of the afternoon and scored three touchdowns on his first four carries. Although he only ran the ball seven times, the freshman rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns before his day ended in the second quarter.
20. D.J. Swearinger vs. Arkansas (2012)
Besides registering a career-high 13 tackles against the Razorbacks, Swearinger also turned in one of the most memorable sequences in Gamecock history. With South Carolina protecting a two-touchdown lead early in the third quarter, the Razorbacks were threatening. What followed next were two plays Gamecock fans will never forget.
19. Blake Mitchell vs. Middle Tennessee (2006)
Mitchell had his best statistical outing of his career and the best day for a Gamecock quarterback ever under Spurrier. The senior threw for 388 yards, seventh-most in school history, and four touchdowns during South Carolina’s blowout win over the Blue Raiders.
18. Stephen Garcia vs. Kentucky (2010)
It’s one of the games that Gamecock fans would love to forget, but it was also Stephen Garcia’s best day as a passer. Garcia completed 20 of 32 passes for two touchdowns, including a 49-yarder to Marcus Lattimore that gave the Gamecocks a 28-10 lead.
17. Sidney Rice vs. Missouri (2005)
In South Carolina’s first bowl appearance under Spurrier, the redshirt freshman wide receiver set Gamecock bowl and Independence Bowl records. Rice hauled in 12 passes for 191 yards, both records. Despite South Carolina’s heartbreaking loss, Rice set a career-high in receiving yards and the fifth-most in school history. His first quarter touchdown reception set the school record for most receiving touchdowns in a season (starts at 11:37).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftu34gOkmmI
16. Mike Davis vs. Clemson (2006)
It wasn’t the greatest statistical showing, but Davis’s performance helped lead the Gamecocks to their first win over Clemson in five years and the first win in the rivalry for Spurrier. Davis carried the ball 12 times for 72 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns, including one to tie the game late in the third quarter.
15. Marcus Lattimore vs. Tennessee (2010)
Two years before his college career would come to an end against the Volunteers, Lattimore helped the Gamecocks put up the most points ever in the series. Lattimore rushed for a then career-high 184 yards and a touchdown in South Carolina’s 38-24 over Tennessee.
14. Melvin Ingram vs. Georgia (2011)
Ingram’s monster game against the Bulldogs helped South Carolina notch back-to-back wins over Georgia for the first time in a decade. Ingram only had one tackle on day, but took a fake punt 68 yards for a go-ahead touchdown late in the first half and sealed the contest with a game-winning fumble recovery for a touchdown.
13. Connor Shaw vs. Tennessee (2012)
The dual-threat quarterback had his best day through the air against the Volunteers. During the same game that saw the career of Marcus Lattimore end, Shaw put together his best statistical performance. Shaw threw for 356 yards on a 22-of-32 day and added three passing touchdowns in a 38-35 victory.
12. Bruce Ellington vs. Wisconsin (2014)
Ellington’s final outing as a Gamecock was his finest. The receiver hauled in six catches for a career-high 139 yards. He also threw his only touchdown pass of his Gamecock career. Ellington’s two touchdown receptions moved him into eighth place on South Carolina’s all-time receiving touchdowns list.
11. Sidney Rice vs. Florida Atlantic (2006)
South Carolina has been playing football since 1892, but no Gamecock ever scored more points in a single game than Sidney Rice did against Florida Atlantic. Rice hauled in five touchdown passes against the Owls, finishing the game with nine receptions for 161 yards.