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South Carolina’s resurgence continues as several underclassmen and a salty defense lead the Gamecocks to a 31-21 victory on the Missouri Tigers on Saturday night afternoon.
While there were multiple outstanding performances, these players truly shined in pushing the Gamecocks’ winning streak to three.
Game Balls
RB Rico Dowdle
The Gamecocks' freshman running back was sensational on Saturday.
Dowdle carried the ball 27 times for 149 yards and a touchdown - with a whopping 5.5 yards per carry.
On top of his work on the ground, the Asheville, N.C. native caught three balls for 20 yards and another score - including a highlight reel catch off of a Mizzou defender's deflection.
Well, that's one way to catch a TD.@GamecockFB's Rico Dowdle. https://t.co/RIu2EPrOLN pic.twitter.com/riSJ2rIsBm
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 5, 2016
Saturday was Dowdle's second consecutive 100-yard rushing game. On the year, the freshman has 440 yards in just five games. The most impressive stat? His 5.1 yards per carry.
QB Jake Bentley
The freshman quarterback continued his impressive campaign with perhaps his best game yet - 22-28 att. for 254 yards, 2 TD.
Bentley was under pressure much of the day, taking four sacks, but did what he’s done best - took care of the ball. The quarterback has a 6-0 TD-to-interception ratio, along with zero fumbles despite being sacked 12 times in his first three starts.
Showing mobility in the pocket and veteran touch on the deep ball, Bentley has been spectacular the past three weeks. In his first three games, the 6’3 quarterback has completed 73% of his passes and seems to improve game after game.
Let’s hope the Bentley train continues to roll.
WR Deebo Samuel
Samuel made several eye-popping grabs on Saturday - hauling in 9 balls for 125 yards, along with another trademark Deebo-end-around for a touchdown.
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When healthy, Samuel gives the Gamecocks a physical deep threat that isn’t afraid to battle a DB for the ball. He’s been arguably as important as QB Bentley in South Carolina’s three-game winning streak.
Over this three-game stretch, the Inman, S.C. native has caught 25 balls for 314 yards.
DB Chris Moody
With a depleted secondary (D.J. Smith missing the first half and Chris Lammons the second), Moody stepped up in a big way.
The senior defensive back made 11 tackles (9 solo) and one interception. His takeaway in the end zone in the fourth quarter ended any threat of a Mizzou rally.
LB Bryson Allen-Williams
The Gamecocks’ junior linebacker was flying all over the field on Saturday afternoon - notching another sack to go along with 4 solo tackles. His lone sack was MASSIVE in halting the Tigers’ momentum.
Bryson Allen-Williams with a monster sack of Drew Lock for a 13-yard loss, forcing the Tigers to punt.
— David Caraviello (@dcaraviello) November 5, 2016
BAW’s stats may not jump out in the box score, but his impact was certainly felt in keeping a high-flying Mizzou offense in check.
Other Standouts
- LB T.J. Holloman: 7 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL
- LB Jonathan Walton: 6 tackles (4 solo), 0.5 sack
- DE Keir Thomas: 2 solo tackles, 1 sack
- DB Rashad Fenton: 5 solo tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Int
- WR Bryan Edwards: 4 catches, 47 yards
- WR Chavis Dawkins: 1 catch, 34 yards
- TE K.C. Crosby: 1 catch, 6 yards, 1 TD (giving him 3 catches for 3 TDs in the last three games)