April 9, 2011

Stats in PDF Format | Post-Game Quotes

The Garnet team, led by quarterbacks Dylan Thompson and Andrew Clifford, defeated the Black team, led by quarterbacks Connor Shaw and Seth Strickland, 21-17, in the annual Garnet and Black Spring Game, held at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

An announced crowd of 30,100 saw the Garnet team jump out to a quick 7-0 lead on its first possession. On its first play from scrimmage, Thompson launched a bomb to DeAngelo Smith that Smith outjumped the defender to snare and raced untouched into the end zone for a 62-yard touchdown.

Garnet made is 14-0 when it matriculated 80 yards in seven plays on its next possession. Kenny Miles did the yeoman’s work on the drive, carrying four times for 38 yards, including a two-yard burst to paydirt. Miles also caught a 12-yard pass on that drive. He finished the day with six carries for 43 yards and caught three passes for 35 more.

Josh Newton got the Black team on the board midway through the second quarter with a 22-yard field goal that capped a 14-play, 65-yard drive that consumed 5:46 on the clock.

The Black team pulled within four at 14-10 as time expired in the first half. Connor Shaw hit Smith with a five-yard pass to cap a 14-play, 65-yard drive. On the drive, Shaw hooked up with walk-on tailback Josh Hinch on five passes for 41 yards.

On Black’s first possession of the second half, Strickland was picked off by DeVonte Holloman, who returned the pass 34 yards for a touchdown to put Garnet on top 21-10. Early in the fourth quarter, Smith caught his third touchdown pass of the day, this one a 28-yarder from Strickland, to narrow the gap to 21-17, but that’s as close as Black could come. Smith was the star of the game, catching four passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns.

Shaw finished the day 17-of-27 for 176 yards and a touchdown. Thompson was 6-of-13 for 168 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions. Clifford hit on 7-of-8 passes for 65 yards with one interception. Strickland completed 6-of-8 passes for 80 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Jimmy Legree logged two of the four interceptions on the afternoon, while Holloman and Sharrod Golightly also recorded picks.

Damario Jeffery led the defense with eight tackles including seven solo stops.

The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields twice next week, with practices scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday at the Bluff Road “Proving Grounds.”

2011 SPRING GAME AWARDS

Most Improved
OL Cody Gibson
DL Byron Jerideau
DB Victor Hampton
WR Ace Sanders
LB Reginald Bowens
TE Corey Simmons
S Brison Williams
RB Eric Baker
QB Connor Shaw
Specialist Jay Wooten

Outstanding Weight Room: Damario Jeffery, D.L. Moore, Marcus Lattimore

Outstanding Walk-Ons: Travis Ford, Jared Shaw, Billy Byrne, Walker Inabinet, Seth Strickland

Harold White GPA: Dalton Wilson, T.J. Johnson, Adam Yates

Harris Pastides Scholar-Athlete: Stephon Gilmore

Joe Morrison – Player of the Spring: DeAngelo Smith – Offense, D.J. Swearinger – Defense

Ernest Brooks – MVP – Clemson Game: Defense – Antonio Allen, Offense – Alshon Jeffery, Special Teams – Spencer Lanning

MVP – Florida Game: Marcus Lattimore – National Freshman of the Year