Strong second half helps Gamecocks past Owls

COLUMBIA — It’ll take more than a 38-16 win over Florida Atlantic to make South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier really happy.

“We’re not there yet. We’re not near there yet,” Spurrier said. “Our pass protection was a little shaky early in the game. We’re running around too much. We should do a little bit better.”

The Gamecocks (2-1) only led 17-16 at half, but scored on three straight possessions in the second half to turn an uncomfortably close game at half into what stands for a blowout these days.

South Carolina ran for 287 yards behind freshman Jarvis Giles, who ran 11 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. Fellow freshman Kenny Miles looked just as impressive, running for 56 yards on five carries in one first-quarter series before sitting out the rest of the game with a shoulder injury.

“The offensive line opened up some gaping holes. They were really working their tails off,” said running back Brian Maddox, who scored three touchdowns, two on the ground and one in the air.

But the true test on whether Spurrier has found a running attack that has often eluded him in his five years at South Carolina will be Thursday night, when No. 5 Mississippi comes to Columbia.

“Things are going to get a lot tougher,” Maddox said.

The Owls (0-2) got the ball to open the second half, but Rusty Smith threw an interception to Stephon Gilmore on the first play. After punting on the next possession, Smith turned the ball over again after an Eric Norwood sack. The Gamecocks took advantage of the short field both times.

Gilmore later recovered another a fumble as South Carolina forced three turnovers in the second half and stopped Florida Atlantic on a fourth down at the Gamecocks’ 5.

Owls coach Howard Schellenberger reminded his team at halftime they have started games solidly before, only to come out flat in the third quarter.

“Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut and let them go out and play on their own,” Schellenberger said. “They probably couldn’t have done any worse.”

The Owls still managed 307 yards against a defense fighting injuries. With their three best tackles missing, along with linebacker Nathan Pepper, who is assigned to plug the middle, assistant head coach Ellis Johnson, who heads up the Gamecocks’ defense, had to use a couple of makeshift formations.

“I knew this would be a tough evening for us with so many guys out,” Johnson said.

Kickoff coverage also continues to be a problem for the Gamecocks. They allowed an average of 26 yards on returns, a week after allowing 36 yards on kickoffs.
“Our kicker isn’t very good and our coverage is horrible,” Spurrier said.

South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia was 20-for-27 for 222 yards, throwing for one touchdown and running for another. The discovery of a running game meant the sophomore didn’t have to match the 53 passes and 313 yards he had in a loss to No. 23 Georgia last week.

“We run the ball like that. we’re going to be pretty tough to beat,” Garcia said.

South Carolina receiver Tori Gurley had four catches for 100 yards. Moe Brown caught three passes for 20 yards and had a 50-yard run on the Gamecocks’ first play.

Spurrier is 37-0 in his career against teams not currently in the Bowl Championship Series, and the comfortable margin meant he got to do something for his son Scotty. The senior caught a 13-yard pass for his first career reception with about three minutes to go.

Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith was 21-for-31 for 198 yards. Alfred Morris had 22 carries for 79 yards and Chris Bonner caught six passes for 57 yards.

“We know we are better than we put out there. They just hit some gaps, and we weren’t there,” Owls defensive tackle Josh Savidge said. “I don’t think they’re a better team than us.”

GAMECOCKS 38, OWLS 16
Florida Atlantic 3 13 0 0 — 16
South Carolina 10 7 21 0 — 38
First Quarter
SC — Maddox 3 run (Lanning kick), 13:39.
SC — FG Lanning 41, 6:16.
FAtl — FG Gornall 37, :55.
Second Quarter
SC — Garcia 15 run (Lanning kick), 8:53.
FAtl — Bonner 23 pass from Smith (Gornall kick), 4:28.
FAtl — Grant 3 pass from Smith (kick failed), :16.
Third Quarter
SC — Maddox 3 run (Lanning kick), 13:47.
SC — Maddox 6 pass from Garcia (Lanning kick), 9:07.
SC — Giles 12 run (Lanning kick), 4:20.
A — 72,017.
FAtl SC
First downs 21 21
Rushes-yards 35-96 35-287
Passing 211 229
Comp-Att-Int 22-38-1 21-28-0
Return Yards (-2) (-9)
Punts-Avg. 4-41.5 3-44.3
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 3-1
Penalties-Yards 3-30 6-54
Time of Possession 32:10 27:50
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Florida Atlantic, Al.Morris 22-79, Rose 4-22, Stinson 6-16, Rolle 1-2, Smith 2-(-23). South Carolina, Giles 11-113, Miles 5-56, M.Brown 1-50, Maddox 10-23, E.Baker 2-22, Garcia 4-18, Sherman 2-5.
PASSING — Florida Atlantic, Smith 21-31-1-198, Van Camp 1-7-0-13. South Carolina, Garcia 20-27-0-222, McCollum 1-1-0-7.
RECEIVING — Florida Atlantic, Bonner 6-57, Harmon 4-57, L.Jean 4-39, Holley 2-29, Rose 2-9, Stinson 2-6, Da.Williams 1-11, Grant 1-3. South Carolina, Gurley 4-100, Barnes 3-40, M.Brown 3-20, A.Jeffery 2-24, E.Baker 2-10, LeCorn 2-9, Maddox 2-8, Spurrier 1-13, Saunders 1-7,  Moore 1-(-2).