South Carolina Football: Ranking the top-10 defensive performances in Gamecock history
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 4 Greatest Defensive Performance of All-Time:
Javon Kinlaw and Israel Mukuamu vs. Georgia
South Carolina football upset the 3rd-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Athens in what was an otherwise bad year in 2019. The victory was made possible by two of the best performances in Carolina history.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was a dominant force up front for the Gamecock defense that day. The big man logged a sack and another tackle for loss, but his impact was far larger than his numbers. He was constantly disruptive, especially to Bulldog quarterback Jake Fromm. One of his biggest plays came when he hurried Fromm into making an ill-advised throw to the wide side of the field.
That throw was picked off by defensive back Israel Mukuamu who took it all the way back for the 55-yard touchdown. It was one of three interceptions on the day for #24. His second pick stopped a promising Georgia drive, and the final interception came in overtime to keep Georgia out of the end zone before an eventual game-winner from kicker Parker White in double-overtime.