South Carolina vs. Auburn Post-Game Notes

Oct. 1, 2011

GENERAL NOTES

Saturday’s Attendance: 81,767
At the request of game officials, South Carolina agreed to change jerseys prior to the game in order to be in compliance with rule 1.4.4. The Gamecocks switched from the custom Wounded Warrior jerseys to their traditional black jerseys.
Auburn won the toss and deferred to the second half.
Steve Spurrier moved into a tie for third on the South Carolina all-time list for games coached. Saturday was Spurrier’s 82nd game as head coach of the Gamecocks, tying the 82 games coached by Jim Carlen. The all-time leader of games coached for South Carolina is Rex Enright (140), and Paul Dietzel is second (96).
For the first time this season, South Carolina did not force a punt on the opponents opening drive. Auburn began its first possession at the 50-yard line but was forced to kick a field goal from the three-yard line.
With a 6-3 lead, Saturday marked the first time this season that South Carolina held the lead at the end of the first quarter. The Gamecocks trailed East Carolina, Georgia and Vanderbilt and were tied with Navy after 12 minutes of play.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

Freshman Damiere Byrd earned the start at wide receiver in his first game eligible as a Gamecock.
Freshman Brandon Wilds caught a career-long 14-yard pass on a third down play in the first quarter that setup Alshon Jeffery’s touchdown catch.
Alshon Jeffery’s 50-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter was his longest reception of the season. It was the second touchdown of the season for Jeffery. He now has four touchdowns in three games against Auburn in his career.
Bruce Ellington had a then-career-best 13-yard reception on South Carolina’s first possession of the third quarter before catching a 35-yard pass later in the quarter.
Marcus Lattimore broke five tackles in his 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The 15-yard rush was his longest of the day. Lattimore has rushed for a touchdown in every game this season.
Marcus Lattimore moves to No. 3 on the career touchdowns list (29) and into a tie for No. 5 on the career rushing touchdowns list (26) with his third quarter touchdown run.
Marcus Lattimore jumps from No. 19 to No. 16 on the career rushing yards list (1,874 yards) after rushing 17 times for 66 yards Saturday.
Stephen Garcia had a season high 62 rushing yards on 10 attempts.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

Through five games, South Carolina’s defense has not allowed a touchdown on the opening drive, forcing a punt against East Carolina, Georgia, Navy and Vanderbilt while allowing a field goal against Auburn.
Freshman Brison Williams played in his first career game at safety.
Antonio Allen caught his third interception of the season with a pick on Auburn’s second possession of the game (first quarter). Allen returned the interception.
Melvin Ingram recorded his third and fourth sacks of the season in the first half, and added his fifth and a half in the second half. He now has 17 sacks in his career, moving to a No. 4 on the South Carolina all-time sacks list. Ingram is eight sacks behind John Abraham for third place in the Gamecock record book.
Melvin Ingram is now the SEC’s active career leader in sacks. His 3.5 sack game Saturday is the best performance in the league in 2011.
Melvin Ingram had his second interception of the season when he grabbed a pick with 1:10 remaining in the second quarter. He returned it for a season high five yards.
C.C. Whitlock intercepted his first two passes of the season with interceptions on two consecutive Auburn drives.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

Jay Wooten’s extra-point attempt on South Carolina’s first touchdown was blocked by Auburn’s Corey Lemonier. The block was the first point attempt blocked against the Gamecocks since Georgia achieved the feat on Sept. 12, 2009.
On Auburn’s next touchdown, Cody Parkey hit the right upright on his point after attempt, making it two consecutive missed extra points from the north endzone.
A safety scored by Auburn in the second half was negated by a false start penalty on the Gamecocks.
Joey Scribner-Howard matched his career best with a 59-yard punt in the third quarter.
Both teams had a kick-catch interference penalty called against their punt coverage team.

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