Juiu McDowell, Josh Vann and defensive lineman Jabari Ellis scored to help South Carolina build a 20-point halftime lead en route to a 40-17 rout of Southeastern Conference rival Florida on Saturday night at Columbia, South Carolina.
Kevin Harris ran 16 times for 128 yards and ZaQuandre White added 111 yards on 13 carries for the Gamecocks (5-4, 2-4 SEC East), who compiled their highest point total in the 42-game series with Florida.
South Carolina’s Jason Brown completed 14 of 24 for 175 yards and a pair of touchdown passes to Vann and Jaheim Bell.
Emory Jones threw for 258 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 17-of-30 passing for the Gators (4-5, 2-5 SEC East), who have lost four of five and five of seven. Florida rushed for just 82 yards.
South Carolina’s Parker White was 4-for-4 on field-goal tries. He hit from 39, 35, 40 and 39 yards.
South Carolina outgained Florida 316-193 in the first half and built a 30-10 cushion. The Gators, who entered with an FBS-leading 6.1 yards per carry, rushed for only 18 yards before the break.
McDowell ran 2 yards for a touchdown with 2:39 left in the first quarter, and Vann pulled in a 24-yard scoring pass at 8:02 of the second quarter.
Ellis recovered the ball after a Jones fumble and ran 18 yards for a touchdown with 46 seconds remaining in the half.
Jones teamed with Xzavier Henderson on a 12-yard touchdown pass play that gave Florida a 7-3 edge with 4:47 to go in the first quarter.
Brown started after having relieved Zeb Noland in the fourth quarter during South Carolina’s 44-14 loss at Texas A&M on Oct 23. Graduate student Noland underwent a minor procedure for a right meniscus tear last week.
–Field Level Media