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South Carolina Football: Gamecocks Blow 17 Lead, Lose to Florida

By Kyle Zartman

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators attempts to run past Sherrod Greene #44 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators attempts to run past Sherrod Greene #44 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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In what was a stunning turn of events, South Carolina football lost to the Florida Gators, blowing a 17 point third quarter lead.

This one stung. It hurt, it hurt bad. The Gamecocks surrendered 21 points in the last 16 minutes of game play to lose to the Florida Gators 35-31. What looked like a for sure win for South Carolina football turned into utter heartbreak.

For the second game in a row, the South Carolina offense started the game on fire. The Gamecocks scored two touchdowns on their first two possessions of the ball game.

Once again, Jake Bentley was absolutely fantastic in the early stages of Saturday’s game against the Gators. Bentley capped both of the Gamecocks’ first quarter scoring drives with touchdown passes.

The Gamecocks took a 21-14 lead into the half. The Gamecocks looked like they may run away with the game as they put up 10 points in the third quarter taking a 31-14 lead. However, the game suddenly turned.

The Gators were able to cut the lead to 10 late in the third quarter following a 10 play, 75 yard drive. That is where the game turned.

South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks /

South Carolina Gamecocks

The fourth quarter saw the South Carolina offense stall and a gassed Gamecocks’ defense continually get run over. Florida scored touchdowns on two drives in the fourth quarter, with the winning score coming on a Feleipe Franks one yard run on 4th and goal with 4:09 left in the game.

Jake Bentley threw an interception on the ensuing drive, which effectively ended the game. For as promising as the game started, it turned on a dime.

In what has become a bad trend, the South Carolina defense gave up over 350 rushing yards. It is hard to win in the SEC giving up that many yards on the ground. Frankly, it is hard to win any football game giving up that many rushing yards.

This one will sting for a while. It is not every day you have a chance to beat a top 15 team on the road. When those opportunities come, you have to take advantage of it. The Gamecocks couldn’t and ended their chance of having a winning SEC record this season.

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