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South Carolina football: Turnovers cost Gamecocks win at Missouri

By Jacob Elsey

Nov 13, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Jason Brown (15) is hit by Missouri Tigers defensive back Martez Manuel (3) while throwing during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Jason Brown (15) is hit by Missouri Tigers defensive back Martez Manuel (3) while throwing during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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The South Carolina football team blew its best opportunity to land bowl eligibility this week as they dropped a close matchup on the road to SEC foe Missouri. The 31-28 defeat puts the Gamecocks at 5-5 on the season with meetings against Auburn and Clemson still remaining.

The game with Missouri was back and forth, with both teams trading early blows throughout the first half. After the Gamecocks took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, the Tigers battled back for 14 straight points. The Gamecocks would even the score on a Josh Vann touchdown reception before Mizzou landed a field goal to close out the first half.

Unfortunately, things fell apart in the third quarter. South Carolina punted on two of their three possessions in the period and also gave up a score on a fumble that the Tigers recovered in the endzone.

Missouri pushed the lead to as many as 17 in the fourth quarter, but South Carolina battled back. ZaQuandre White scored on a touchdown run and reception on the Gamecocks’ final two drives, while the defense was able to tally a pair of turnovers. Unfortunately, South Carolina was unable to stop the Tigers rushing attack on the final series and Missouri was able to run out the clock.

South Carolina football has to be better protecting the ball

The Gamecocks currently lead the SEC, having forced 22 turnovers this season on defense. They’ve picked off a league-high 14 passes and have continued to give their offense opportunities to put points on the board.

Unfortunately, South Carolina has failed to cash in on those opportunities too many times. This was again the case on Saturday as the Gamecocks turned it over three different times, including that touchdown on a strip sack late in the game. South Carolina ranks 125th in the nation in giveaways per game, leading the country with 13 total fumbles lost.

Essentially, the Gamecocks rank top five nationally in takeaways, but bottom five nationally in giveaways. These turnovers have cost the team wins against both Missouri and Kentucky to put the program’s bowl status in limbo.

South Carolina has two more opportunities to land postseason eligibility against Auburn and Clemson. Cutting down on offensive miscues will be the difference between a bowl invitation or staying home for the holidays.

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