South Carolina vs. Mississippi State Post-Game Notes

Nov. 2, 2013

GENERAL

No. 14/16 South Carolina’s 34-16 victory over Mississippi State is the seventh-straight Gamecock win in the series. The last setback came in 1999 in a 17-0 defeat in Starkville, Miss. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier is now 8-2 all-time against the Bulldogs.
Today’s result extends the Gamecocks’ home winning streak to 15, tying the school record set from 1978-80. The win is also the 38th in a four-year period, which matches the school record set by last year’s senior class.
Senior quarterback Connor Shaw now has 23 career wins as starting quarterback for the Gamecocks, including a 14-0 mark at home. Only Todd Ellis (24) has more in school history. Shaw is 23-5 as a starter for the Garnet & Black.

OFFENSE

With a seven-yard run in the third quarter, sophomore tailback Mike Davis hit the 1,000-yard threshold for the season. He is just the eighth player in school history to eclipse the milestone. There have been 10 seasons in South Carolina history with a 1,000-yard rusher, as George Rogers did it three times in his career.
Davis finished the day with 128 yards. It is his seventh 100-yard game of the year, which is third all-time at South Carolina. In addition, Davis has surpassed 115 all-purpose yards in each game of the season.
Shaw matched a career-high with four touchdown passes in today’s contest. The performance moves him into second place all-time at South Carolina in passing touchdowns with 50. Only Steve Taneyhill (62) is ahead of him.
With a pair of first-quarter touchdowns, sophomore wide receiver Shaq Roland posted the first multi-touchdown game of his career. Roland entered the game with just two career scores.
Junior wide receiver Damiere Byrd has now scored a touchdown in four games this season and seven games in his career.
With his 24-yard reception, sophomore tailback Shon Carson set a new career-high in receiving yards.
Four of the Gamecocks’ six scoring drives were under two minutes.

DEFENSE

Freshman linebacker Skai Moore earned his first-career start and posted his first-career interception in the first quarter
Freshman linebacker T.J. Holloman’s second-quarter interception is the second of his career after corralling one at UCF earlier this season
Senior defensive end Chaz Sutton forced a fumble for the third time in his career. His last forced fumble came against Kentucky last season.
Freshman safety Chaz Elder captured his first-career interception in the third quarter.
Junior corner back Victor Hampton set a new career-high with three pass breakups.
The five turnovers South Carolina collected are the most since getting four at UCF earlier this year. The Gamecocks’ three interceptions ties a season high, also set at UCF.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Freshman Elliott Fry hit a career-long 44-yard field goal, besting his previous top mark of 41 yards against Kentucky earlier this season. He added a second field goal, this time a 36-yarder, in the third quarter for the 34-10 lead.