USC FOOTBALL

Bentley's 4 TDs lift South Carolina to 49-9 win over Mocs

Posted

COLUMBIA – It may have taken a couple of games longer than what its fans may have hoped it would, but the South Carolina Gamecocks football team became bowl eligible with a 49-9 rout of Chattanooga on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.

“It’s an expectation here, that’s something I expect every year,” Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp said after his team improved to 6-4 on the season with a trip to No. 2 Clemson up next Saturday. “I thought our guys came out and handled business like they’re supposed to do in a game like this.”

Junior quarterback Jake Bentley finished 25 of 29 for 339 yards and four touchdowns. Junior running back A.J. Turner finished with 65 yards on the ground on eight carries and a score to go along with three receptions for 34 yards and two touchdowns.

“I think it’s just a great plan by (offensive coordinator) Coach Bryan McClendon and really understanding what’s going to work,” Bentley said of his big night. “Through his film work and through all of the coaches, just seeing what’s going to be the best plays we can run.”

“I feel like maybe stat-wise, this was my best game,” Turner said. “I’ve never in college scored three touchdowns, but it’s not about touchdowns. I feel like it’s more about us being able to play together.”

Freshman running back Deshaun Fenwick finished with 112 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Junior running back Mon Denson added 28 yards on the ground on seven carries and scored a touchdown.

“I think he did really well,” Bentley said of Fenwick. “He didn’t get rattled, he stayed confident. That’s kind of his big thing since he’s been here. When he runs the ball confidently he looks really good.”

Through the air, senior wide receiver Deebo Samuel recorded five catches for 112 yards and a score, junior wide receiver Bryan Edwards had four receptions for 69 yards and sophomore wide receiver Shi Smith caught four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.

“I think it’s preparation and tempo of the offense, and just going and doing what we have to do,” Smith said.

The Gamecock defense came up big early when junior defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt by Chattanooga sophomore placekicker Victor Ulmo with 13:37 to go in the first quarter.

The Gamecocks then went on a 75-yard drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bentley to Turner. Sophomore placekicker Parker White knocked in the extra point to put South Carolina up 7-0 with 9:53 to go in the first quarter.

After a three-downs-and-out series for Chattanooga, the Gamecocks drove the ball down the field once again, this time going 61 yards. Bentley found Turner in the end zone again, this time for six yards, and White’s extra point put the Gamecocks up 14-0 with 4:16 to go in the first quarter.

Chattanooga finally got on the board with 14:55 to go in the second quarter with a 36-yard field goal from Ulmo to cut the lead to 14-3.

However, the Gamecocks would only take four plays to score again, with yet another touchdown from Turner, this one an 11-yard rush. White’s point after was true and the Gamecocks took a 21-3 lead with 13:44 to go before the half.

Chattanooga would go three-and-out again, and on the ensuing Gamecock drive, White missed a 40-yard field goal.

The Gamecocks scored once more just before halftime. They marched 70 yards in eight plays with Denson scoring from a yard out with 34 seconds left. USC led 28-3 at halftime.

The Gamecocks would not take their foot off the gas to start the second half.

Bentley found Smith, who broke several tackles and sprinted to the end zone for a 53-yard touchdown just 1 minute, 28 seconds into the third quarter to make it 35-3.

The Gamecocks made it 42-3 when Bentley found Samuel for a 61-yard touchdown with 14:48 to go in the game.

USC’s final score was a 2-yard touchdown run from Fenwick. Sophomore placekicker Alexander Woznick added the extra point to make it 49-3.

The Gamecocks will now prepare to take on archrival Clemson on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Tigers are 11-0 on the season after defeating Duke 35-6 on Saturday.

“Certainly we’ve got a huge challenge and opportunity with Clemson, and (defensive coordinator) Brent (Venables) does a really good job,” Muschamp said. “We’re gonna need to play well again.”