Kenny Miles celebrates his second quarter touchdown run. The Gamecocks defeated Wofford 24-7.
/ Derek Phillips
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Senior running back Kenny Miles rushed for a career-high 127 yards and one touchdown to help lead No. 12/11 South Carolina to a 24-7 victory over Wofford on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at Williams-Brice Stadium.
With the win, the Gamecocks (9-2) finish the year a perfect 7-0 at home for the first time since 1987. The victory also gives head coach Steve Spurrier his 64th career victory at South Carolina, tying Rex Enright’s school record. Wofford drops to 8-3 on the season.
The Terriers found a groove offensively right before the half and engineered a 12-play, 85-yard scoring drive. Eric Breitenstein rushed for 46 yards on the drive, including a 2-yard touchdown run with 32 seconds left in the half that tied the game at 7-7. Breitenstein finished the contest with 125 yards on 28 carries to lead Wofford.
Wofford gave the Gamecocks a scare on its opening possession of the second half as it drove to the Gamecock 27. However, on first and 10 Swearinger knocked the ball loose from Octavius Harden, and Carolina’s Brison Williams recovered to end the threat.
South Carolina took advantage by going on a 15-play, 68-yard scoring drive capped by a 23-yard field goal by senior Adam Yates that gave the Gamecocks a 10-7 advantage with 11:57 left in the fourth quarter.
The defensive unit then came up with a huge fourth down stop for the Gamecocks on the ensuing possession. On fourth and 1 from the Wofford 34, Carolina seniors Devin Taylor and Quin Smith stuffed Breitenstein for no gain, setting the offense up with excellent field position. Five plays later, Shaw connected with Sanders for an 8-yard touchdown pass at the 8:10 mark, giving South Carolina a 17-7 lead.
The Gamecocks then put the game out of reach on the next possession with another big defensive play. Auguste scooped up a forced fumble by Reginald Bowens on Wofford’s second play of the drive at the Terrier 31 and returned it for a touchdown to extend South Carolina’s lead to 24-7.
South Carolina will close out the regular season next Saturday on the road against rival Clemson. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Clemson, S.C. The contest will be televised nationally on either ESPN or ESPN2.
USC Sports Information contributed to this report.
