Football Rolls to 50-7 Win over Akron

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Backup Robby Ashford, starting when LaNorris Sellers injured his right ankle in a loss to LSU last week, threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third as South Carolina topped Akron 50-7 on Saturday night.

The Gamecocks opened 3-1 for the first time since 2017.

Ashford, who started 10 games over two seasons at Auburn before transferring, made good on coach Shane Beamer’s vow that multiple Gamecock quarterbacks could win games if given the chance.

Ashford finished with 243 yards passing, including scoring throws of 30 yards to Mazeo Bennett and 12 yards to JuJu McDowell. Ashford also ran for a game-high 133 yards with a scoring run of 36 yards.

Oscar Adaway had a pair of two-yard scoring runs.

Ashford was 15-of-21 passing. Bennett, a freshman receiver, had five catches for 71 yards.

Akron (1-3) was led by 110 passing yards from Ben Finley, who threw for one TD but also had an interception. The Gamecocks’ defense held the Zips to 154 yards.

The Gamecocks also finished with zero turnovers.

Akron posted its lone score just before halftime, running six plays for 70 yards and Adrian Norton finishing with a 42-yard pass for a touchdown.

The Gamecocks forced a punt on Akron’s first possession in the second half, then forced another before Adaway collected his second touchdown. QB Davis Beville threw his first South Carolina touchdown to backup tight end Connor Cox while S.C. State transfer Jawarn Howell had a 23-yard rushing TD.