UCF was a trendy pick to upset South Carolina on Saturday and, for a long stretch, that looked like a wise call. The Gamecocks stormed back in the second half, however, and hung on late for a 28-25 win in Orlando.
South Carolina vs. UCF final score: Gamecocks come back, hang on for 28-25 win
The Gamecocks started slow before turning it on, earning a tough win over a competitive UCF squad.
The Knights took the ball and scored on the first drive of the game, capitalizing on a Storm Johnson touchdown run from one yard out. They would later push that lead to 10-0, but the big story was the shoulder injury to Connor Shaw. Shaw left the game with what's being called a right shoulder sprain and it's unclear how much time he will miss. The Gamecock offense looked completely out of sorts with Dylan Thompson taking the snaps in the first half and regrouped at halftime while probably feeling lucky to trail by just 10 points.
South Carolina pounded the ball with Mike Davis in the second half, and he popped off for a 53-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Things started rolling downhill for the Gamecocks at that point and it didn't seem like UCF had any answers. Blake Bortles' two fourth-quarter touchdown passes moved the Knights to within a field goal, but it wasn't quite enough to secure a victory.
Box Score Hero:
Mike Davis only had 17 rushing yards in the first half, but he finished with 167 yards and three touchdowns on the afternoon.
Rankings Ramifications:
The Gamecocks entered the game ranked 12th in the AP poll and 13th in the USA Today poll, and they should stay in the same neighborhood. UCF was unranked and will remain unranked.
But Did They Cover?
South Carolina was anywhere from a 6.5 to a 7.5 point favorite in this game, so they did not cover the spread.
For More On This Game:
For more on the Gamecocks, check out Garnet and Black Attack.
Next Week’s Schedule:
South Carolina: 10/5, vs. Kentucky
UCF: 10/5, at Memphis
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