South Carolina Football: Postgame quick hit on Gamecock loss to UNC

South Carolina football entered Saturday’s game against North Carolina expecting to be in for a very competitive matchup with their border rival. Unfortunately for the Gamecocks and their fans, that’s not what happened.

Shane Beamer’s team was outplayed severely in the first half but managed to escape the first two quarters trailing by just three points. The Gamecocks had several injuries remove important players from the game, both aggravations of old ailments and new bumps and bruises.

The third quarter, though, was ugly. The Gamecock offensive line that had been lackluster in the first half was absolutely abysmal. Spencer Rattler was running for his life on seemingly every play, and the run game was non-existent.

The South Carolina defense wasn’t much better in the second half, only getting one stop other than when Drake Maye threw two interceptions. Whatever new Tar Heel offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey wanted his offense to do, they were able to do.

Rattler and receiver Xavier Legette were excellent, but their heroic efforts were not enough. Even while winning the turnover battle 2-0, picking up an extra possession on an onside kick, and being the less-penalized team, the Gamecocks still could not threaten the Tar Heels late.

Rattler was sacked 9 times, and South Carolina gave up 16 tackles for loss. -2 rushing yards for USC and 168 for UNC and 9 sacks for North Carolina compared to 0 for South Carolina illustrated the sheer inevitability of the outcome.

31-17 was the final score in Charlotte, but the game was not nearly so close. Rattler matched (and probably outplayed Drake Maye), and the Gamecocks won the special teams matchup, but other than that, North Carolina dominated the game. USC was no match for UNC on both lines of scrimmage, and that shaped everything about this one.

On Sunday, a deeper dive into the game will be released.

South Carolina football will take on Furman at home next Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.