South Carolina Football: Gamecocks all over the field in Dallas Cowboys’ blowout win over New York Giants

South Carolina football alums were all over the field for the Dallas Cowboys when America’s Team demolished the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football last night. The 40-0 beatdown was the second-biggest margin of victory in the 60-year rivalry between the ‘Boys and G-Men.

Turnovers were a major storyline in the game as Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones threw two interceptions (one that was returned for a touchdown), the team fumbled a whopping five times (losing one), New York kicker Graham Gano had a field goal blocked and returned for a score, the NY offense had two failed 4th-down conversions, and Gano missed another field goal.

Two former South Carolina football stars were in on the turnover-fest. Future Hall of Famer Stephon Gilmore picked off a Daniel Jones pass in the 2nd quarter, and fellow Gamecock defensive back Israel Mukuamu recovered an Isaiah Hodgins fumble that was forced by Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs.

On offense, another former Gamecock contributed in the blowout. Running back Rico Dowdle spelled starter Tony Pollard and tallied 24 yards on 6 carries. The 24 yards were more impressive than the box score might indicate because they came in obvious rushing situations, and Dowdle showed some impressive burst and wiggle.

Fellow Gamecock-turned-Cowboys rookie Jalen Brooks was inactive as one of the team’s five active roster players who did not make the operational roster for the game in New York.

Gilmore was a two-time All-American during his South Carolina football career, Dowdle and Mukuamu were multi-year starters, and Brooks was a transfer who had his best season as a senior.

The Dallas Cowboys and the team’s four Gamecocks will take on the New York Jets in Dallas next weekend at 3:25 on CBS. The Jets do not have any former Gamecocks on the roster, but former Carolina linebacker Sherrod Greene was with the organization briefly training camp.