#13 South Carolina (3-0) is B across the board. They are #14 in pts/gm, #4 in total offense, and #40 in total defense. #1 Alabama is A+ across the board. We are #1 in pts/gm, #1 in total offense, and #1 in total defense. Weather: Clear with wind up to 10 mph.

On South Carolina's first possession, we get pressure of the edge and CB Marco Herring picks off the pass and races back 38 yards for the score, 7-0 Tide. On their next possession, we hit their QB and the ball is picked off in the air by DE Shelton Miller who hops into the endzone for a 2 yard INT TD return, 14-0. This is looking like it may be a blowout. After a Gamecocks punt, QB Jesse Russ hits TE Sam Smith on a 5 yard TD pass to put us up 21-0.

SC gets a 61 yard TD pass from O'Donnell to Gunn over our CB Rose, 21-7. Undeterred, QB Russ scampers into the endzone on an option run from 7 yards out, 28-7. SC QB O'Donnell throws a 34 yard TD pass to Warren to cut it to 28-14. A pick on our next possession is returned 47 yards for the score by SC's Jones, 28-21. We fumble on our next possession and on the next play SC's Stephens takes it 19 yards into the endzone on a HB direct to tie it at 28. Wow! The Gamecocks force us to punt, but we hold them to a three and out. However, with :04 left they go for it. SC's QB O'Donnell hits Warren on a 62 yard hail mary TD and they lead at halftime 35-28. This did not sit well.

We get the ball to start the second half and QB Russ goes right to work when he hits HB Jonas Barnes and he takes it 44 yards for the score, 35-35 with 5:00 to go in the third. We hold on defense and HB Barnes takes it 66 yards for the score to put us back ahead, 42-35. FB Jeremy Fulmore takes it on 3rd and short near the goal line and with second effort he's into the endzone for the score, 49-35. Our defense forces a punt and PR Marco Herring gets great blocking as he returns it 68 yards for the score, 56-35 with 1:59 to go until the fourth. SC gets a long run by Stephens who ran down from behind by ROLB Pete Coley. The defense stiffens and holds them to a 35 yard FG by Jenkins, 56-38.

HB Barnes breaks free on a 70 yard TD run to make it 63-38. Huge! SC gets a 12 yard TD pass from QB O'Donnell to Henry to finish off the scoring. We threw a pick at the goal line with the backups as time expired.

I was pleased with the offense with the exception of the turnovers. Defensively, we just gave up way too many big plays. South Carolina is a good team and we may just see them again down the road.