South Carolina sophomore quarterback Connor Shaw made his second career start on Saturday leading the 18th ranked Gamecocks to a 54-3 win over the Kentucky Wildcats in Columbia before a crowd of 75,838 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Shaw made the start after head coach Steve Spurrier benched Stephen Garcia earlier in the week. Shaw responded completing 26 of 39 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns.
The Gamecocks trailed 3-0 early but rallied to score the final 54 points of the game. Bruce Ellington scored on a 61 yard run and third string quarterback Andrew Clifford came on late to throw a 7-yard TD pass to D.L. Moore. Fourth string QB Dylan Thompson ran for a 8-yard score in the final minute of the game. The Gamecocks rolled up 639 yards of total offense.
Big stars of the game for South Carolina were Alshon Jeffery who caught 6 passes for 95 yards and 2 TD's. Marcus Lattimore carried the ball 22 times for 102 yards. The Gamecocks are 10-0 when Lattimore has 20 or more carries.
The Gamecocks defense was also impressive. They allowed just 96 yards of total offense and forced six turnovers. Darlington native and former WPDE All-Zone selection Victor Hampton had two tackles and an interception.
South Carolina improves to an overall record of 5-1, 3-1 in the SEC. The Gamecocks will play the Mississippi State Bulldogs next Saturday, October 15 in Starkville, Mississippi. Kickoff is set for 12:21 p.m. EST.
