Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier picked up his 200th college coaching win on Saturday.
The 8th ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (3-0) clobbered the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (0-2) on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium, before a crowd of 77,963 in Columbia, South Carolina. Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier got his 200th college coaching victory.
Only three other active Division I coaches have 200 or more wins. Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer, Texas' Mack Brown and Nevada's Chris Ault. The 67-year old Spurrier was quick to point out to media that he has 47 more wins as a pro coach in the NFL and USFL.
Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw completed 8 of 14 passes for 107 yards. But he had to leave the game in the first half after re-injuring his throwing shoulder.
Dylan Thompson took over for Shaw at QB. Thompson ran for one score and threw two TD passes, a 94 yard hook-up with Damiere Byrd, and a 30 yard strike to Shaq Roland. Seth Strickland and Andrew Clifford also took snaps in the Gamecocks blowout win.
UAB took a 3-0 lead on a Ty Long field goal in the opening minutes of the game. South Carolina responded with a 65 yard fumble return for a touchdown by D.J. Swearinger and never trailed, on the way to a 43 point win.
Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore had a dozen carries for 85 yards and a TD. Bruce Ellington was South Carolina's top receiver with five catches for 98 yards.
South Carolina's defense recorded six sacks and held the Blazers to just 27 rushing yards. Darlington High product Victor Hampton made one tackle.
The Gamecocks return to action with a Southeastern Conference game next Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium against the Missouri Tigers (2-1). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and will be televised on CBS.
