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South Carolina might not even need their offense against Oklahoma

South Carolina's defense is the biggest reason they had a 21-0 lead just five minutes into the game vs. Oklahoma.

By Ericka Brockish

Oct 19, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) warms up before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) warms up before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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South Carolina's defense has been their lifeline all season long, but they are already putting on a show against the Oklahoma Sooners. The Gamecocks are already up 21-0 against the Sooners, and the offense has only seen the field once.

Before the clock even hit 10:00 left in the first quarter, the Gamecocks had already put 21 points on the board, and the offense was responsible for only seven of those. The Sooners got the ball first in the game, and on the first play, freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. threw a pass that was intercepted by Nick Emmanwori. The Gamecocks offense got the ball in Oklahoma territory with a short field.

After a handful of plays, South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders punched the ball into the endzone to give USC the lead 7-0. The South Carolina defense was ready to hit the field yet again. Oklahoma ran three plays and on the third play, linebacker Demitrius Knight Jr. came in hot and sacked Hawkins Jr. stripping him as well and the ball was loose on the field.

South Carolina's Tonka Hemingway scooped up the ball and ran it back for a big score, making the game 14-0 within the first two minutes. After a tough game against Alabama last weekend, this was the perfect start to the game for USC.

To the surprise of everyone, Hawkins ran back out on the field for the third Oklahoma drive. The Sooners decided to put the ball on the ground for a few plays, but then on third down yet again, South Carolina brought pressure yet again against the young freshman. Hawkins was hit as he threw the ball and found Emmanwari yet again, who this time ran the ball pack for a pick-six.

The Sooners had seen enough from Hawkins and put Jackson Arnold back in at quarterback, basically burning his redshirt for the season as this will be the fifth game he will play in this season, making him ineligible to redshirt.

The Gamecocks so far have three sacks, two interceptions, one for a touchdown, two fumbles, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, and four tackles for a loss so far, and the first quarter isn't even over yet. South Carolina still leads 21-0 at the time of this story and is looking to pile even more on the Sooners.

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