2010 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2010 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Steve Spurrier, who was in his sixth season at USC. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina and were members of the East Division of the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks finished the season 9–5, 5–3 in SEC play to win the East Division for the first and only time in program history.

ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
CoachesNo. 22
APNo. 22
Quick facts South Carolina Gamecocks football, SEC East Division champion ...
2010 South Carolina Gamecocks football
SEC East Division champion
SEC Championship Game, L 17–56 vs. Auburn
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 22
APNo. 22
Record9–5 (5–3 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive schemeFun and gun
Defensive coordinatorEllis Johnson (3rd season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumWilliams-Brice Stadium
Seasons
← 2009
2011 →
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More information Conf., Overall ...
2010 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 22 South Carolina x 5–3  9–5 
Florida 4–4  8–5 
Georgia 3–5  6–7 
Tennessee 3–5  6–7 
Kentucky 2–6  6–7 
Vanderbilt 1–7  2–10 
Western Division
No. 1 Auburn x$# 8–0  14–0 
No. 12 Arkansas % 6–2  10–3 
No. 8 LSU 6–2  11–2 
No. 10 Alabama 5–3  10–3 
No. 15 Mississippi State 4–4  9–4 
Ole Miss* 1–7  4–8 
Championship: Auburn 56, South Carolina 17
  • # – BCS National Champion
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Ole Miss vacated all wins due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll
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The division championship was made possible by a relatively weakened SEC East[a] and several Gamecocks having successful seasons. Returning quarterback Stephen Garcia had another top-5 season for the school in many statistical categories.[5] Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery had "one of the best SEC receiver seasons ever" as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and was a first team All-American.[6][7] Running back Marcus Lattimore, in the only healthy season of his career, was named the National Freshman of the Year.[8][9] The offense and defense were both statistically in the top half of the SEC.[10][11]

Following the season-opening win, the Gamecocks entered the AP Top 25 and would not leave it again until September 2014.[12] In the fourth home game, South Carolina upset defending national champion No. 1 Alabama, which was on a nineteen-game winning streak.[13][14] This was the first and only victory over a top-ranked team in program history.[15] One month later, South Carolina clinched the SEC East by defeating No. 24 Florida in the Swamp for the first time in program history.[16] Spurrier was carried off the field by his players.[17]

In the program's only appearance in the SEC Championship Game, the Gamecocks lost to No. 1 Auburn for the second time that season.[13] Regardless, Spurrier was awarded his seventh and final SEC Coach of the Year Award.[18] They were invited to the Chick-fil-A Bowl, where they were defeated by No. 23 Florida State.[13] South Carolina finished the season ranked for the first time since 2001, and the nine-win season was only the third in program history.[19]

Preseason

On April 10, 2010, the White squad defeated the Garnet squad, 21–17, in the annual Garnet & Black Spring Game, in front of a crowd of 22,000.

Schedule

The October 9 game against Alabama played host to ESPN's College GameDay, the program's 5th time hosting the popular ESPN show.[20]

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 27:30 pmSouthern Miss*
ESPNW 41–1370,438
September 1112:00 pmNo. 22 GeorgiaNo. 24
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC (rivalry)
ESPN2W 17–680,974
September 187:00 pmNo. 24 (FCS) Furman*No. 13
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
ESPN3W 38–1973,681
September 257:45 pmat No. 17 AuburnNo. 12
ESPNL 27–3587,451
October 93:30 pmNo. 1 AlabamaNo. 19
CBSW 35–2182,993
October 166:00 pmat KentuckyNo. 10
ESPN2L 28–3167,955
October 237:00 pmat VanderbiltNo. 19
SECRNW 21–733,425
October 3012:21 pmTennesseeNo. 17
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC (rivalry)
SECNW 38–2479,336
November 67:00 pmNo. 17 ArkansasNo. 18
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
ESPNL 20–4175,136
November 137:15 pmat No. 24 FloridaNo. 22
ESPNW 36–1490,885
November 2012:21 pmTroy*No. 17
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
SECNW 69–2474,117
November 277:00 pmat Clemson*No. 18
ESPN2W 29–781,355
December 44:00 pmvs. No. 2 AuburnNo. 18
CBSL 17–5675,802
December 317:30 pmvs. No. 23 Florida State*No. 19
ESPNL 17–2672,217
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
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[21]

Game summaries

Southern Miss

See also: 2010 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Eagles 3 3 0 7 13
Gamecocks 7 17 10 7 41
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Quarterback Stephen Garcia and freshman running back Marcus Lattimore each rushed for two touchdowns and USC head coach Steve Spurrier won his 18th straight season opener, 41-13 over Southern Miss. Sophomore wide receiver Alshon Jeffery also had 106 receiving yards and freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders had a 53-yard run off of a reverse. Freshman backup quarterback Connor Shaw also had a highlight, throwing his first touchdown pass as a Gamecock to wide receiver D.L. Moore.

Georgia

See also: 2010 Georgia Bulldogs football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#22 Bulldogs 3 0 3 0 6
#24 Gamecocks 7 7 0 3 17
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Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore carried for 182 yards and two touchdowns, as #24 South Carolina outmatched #22 Georgia, 17-6, in the SEC opener for both teams. Quarterback Stephen Garcia was 12-17 for 165 yards, with seven of his passes caught by wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who finished with 103 yards. Lattimore had 103 yards rushing in the first half, and USC held a 228-73 edge in total yards after the first two quarters. Georgia's 6 points were the fewest allowed by Carolina to a Bulldog team since a 2-0 USC victory in 1904, and the Gamecock defense held the Bulldogs to 61 rushing yards. Head Coach Steve Spurrier won his 106th SEC game, tying him for second all-time in the conference with former Ole Miss coach Johnny Vaught.

Furman

See also: 2010 Furman Paladins football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Paladins 0 6 7 6 19
#13 Gamecocks 14 7 10 7 38
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Stephen Garcia went 13-20 for 150 yards with two touchdown passes, and Marcus Lattimore had 19 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown to lead the #13 Gamecocks to a 38-19 win over Furman. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore sealed the game with an 80-yard interception return for touchdown in the 4th quarter.

Auburn

See also: 2010 Auburn Tigers football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#12 Gamecocks 14 6 7 0 27
#17 Tigers 7 7 7 14 35
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Alabama

See also: 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#1 Crimson Tide 3 6 5 7 21
#19 Gamecocks 14 7 7 7 35
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USC toppled Alabama at home to notch their first defeat of a top-ranked team in school history.

Kentucky

See also: 2010 Kentucky Wildcats football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#10 Gamecocks 14 14 0 0 28
Wildcats 0 10 7 14 31
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Vanderbilt

See also: 2010 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Gamecocks 0 7 7 7 21
Commodores 0 7 0 0 7
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Tennessee

See also: 2010 Tennessee Volunteers football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Volunteers 3 7 7 7 24
#17 Gamecocks 0 10 14 14 38
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Arkansas

See also: 2010 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#17 Razorbacks 7 17 10 7 41
#18 Gamecocks 7 3 0 10 20
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Florida

See also: 2010 Florida Gators football team
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#22 Gamecocks 9 6 7 14 36
#24 Gators 7 0 0 7 14
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With the win, South Carolina clinched the SEC East and a spot in the SEC Championship for the first time in program history.

Troy

See also: Troy Trojans football
More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
Trojans 0 7 10 7 24
#17 Gamecocks 28 28 3 10 69
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at Clemson (rivalry)

See also: 2010 Clemson Tigers football team
Game Twelve– No. 18 South Carolina Gamecocks (8-3) at Clemson Tigers (6-5) – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 18 South Carolina 9 10 10029
Clemson 7 0 007
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at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, South Carolina

  • Date: Saturday, November 27, 2010
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: Clear
  • TV: ESPN
More information Game information ...
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:10) CLEM – DeAndre Hopkins 45-yard pass from Kyle Parker (Chandler Catanzaro kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:50; Clemson 7-0)
  • (9:18) SC – Spencer Lanning 46-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 48 yards, 3:52; Clemson 7-3)
  • (5:00) SC – Patrick DiMarco 5-yard pass from Stephen Garcia (Spencer Lanning kick BLOCKED) (Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:05; South Carolina 9-7)
Second quarter
  • (14:53) SC – Alshon Jeffery 37-yard pass from Stephen Garcia (Spencer Lanning kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 85 yards, 2:16; South Carolina 16-7)
  • (8:22) SC – Spencer Lanning 25-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 5:29; South Carolina 19-7)
Third quarter
  • (10:17) SC – Antonio Allen 37-yard interception return (Spencer Lanning kick) (South Carolina 26-7)
  • (1:15) SC – Spencer Lanning 37-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 2:49; South Carolina 29-7)
Fourth quarter
  • no scoring
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More information Statistics, SC ...
StatisticsSCCLEM
First downs1413
Total yards66–32262–251
Rushing yards36–9527–61
Passing yards227212
Passing: Comp–Att–Int14–30–017–35–1
Time of possession21:1115:26
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More information Team, Category ...
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South CarolinaPassingStephen Garcia14/30, 227 yards, 2 TD
RushingMarcus Lattimore23 carries, 48 yards
ReceivingAlshon Jeffery5 receptions, 141 yards, TD
ClemsonPassingKyle Parker7/17, 117 yards, TD, INT
RushingJamie Harper16 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingDeAndre Hopkins7 receptions, 124 yards, TD
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2010 SEC Championship vs. Auburn

More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#2 Tigers 21 7 14 14 56
#18 Gamecocks 7 7 0 3 17
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See also: 2010 SEC Championship Game

2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Florida State

More information Total ...
1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Gamecocks 0 3 7 7 17
#23 Seminoles 6 7 6 7 26
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See also: 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl

Players

Depth chart

Projected starters and primary backups for SEC Championship Game versus Auburn on December 4, 2010.

More information FS, WLB ...
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Awards

  • Steve Spurrier - SEC Coach of the Year[22]
  • Stephen Garcia - Maxwell Award Watch List; Manning Award Watch List; Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, 10/10/10;[23] SEC Offensive Player of the Week, 10/11/10; Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week, 10/11/10;[24] Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week, 10/14/10[25]
  • Alshon Jeffery - Biletnikoff Award Finalist;[26] Maxwell Award Watch List; Rivals.com National Player of the Week, 10/11/10;[27] AFCA Coaches' All-America Team;[28] AP & Coaches First-Team All-SEC;[29][30] Walter Camp Second-Team All-American[31]
  • T.J. Johnson - SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, 9/6/10[32]
  • Spencer Lanning - Lou Groza Award Watch List, Ray Guy Award Nominee;[33] SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, 11/15/10;[34] SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, 11/29/10[35]
  • Marcus Lattimore - Maxwell Award Watch List; SEC Offensive Player of the Week & SEC Freshman of the Week, 9/13/10;[36] SEC Freshman of the Week, 11/1/10;[37] SEC Offensive Player of the Week, 11/15/10;[34] SEC Freshman of the Week, 11/22/10;[38] AP & Coaches First-Team All-SEC;[29][30] AP & Coaches SEC Freshman of the Year;[22][29] Walter Camp Second-Team All-American[31]
  • Devin Taylor - SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, 11/1/10;[37] AP First-Team All-SEC;[29] Coaches Second-Team All-SEC[30]
  • Garrett Chisolm - Campbell Trophy Semifinalist;[39] Coaches Second-Team All-SEC[30]
  • Stephon Gilmore - Bednarik Award Watch List, Nagurski Trophy Watch List; Coaches First-Team All-SEC;[30] AP Second-Team All-SEC[29]
  • Cliff Matthews - Hendricks Award Watch List, Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Lott Trophy Watch List; Coaches Second-Team All-SEC[30]

2010 recruiting class

More information College recruiting information (2010), Name ...
College recruiting information (2010)
Name Hometown School Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Javon Bell
DB		 Jacksonville, FL Ribault HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.5 Feb 3, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   (73)
A.J. Cann
OL		 Bamberg, SC Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 260 lb (120 kg) 5.1 Jun 17, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   (81)
Patrick Fish
K		 Lawndale, NC Burns HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) - Oct 4, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   (-)
Cody Gibson
OL		 Tallahassee, FL Lincoln HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 5.2 Jul 7, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (77)
Toquavius Gilchrist
LB		 El Dorado, KS Butler County CC 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 4.5 Dec 15, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   (-)
Sharrod Golightly
DB		 Decatur, GA Southwest Dekalb HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.6 Feb 1, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (74)
Brandon Golson
LB		 St. Matthews, SC Calhoun County HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) - Jun 11, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (80)
Victor Hampton
DB		 Darlington, SC Darlington HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.4 Jan 9, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   (78)
Byron Jerideau
DT		 Fort Scott, KS Fort Scott CC 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 320 lb (150 kg) 5.0 Feb 1, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   (-)
Nick Jones
WR		 Duncan, SC Byrnes HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.45 Nov 22, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (77)
Marcus Lattimore
RB		 Duncan, SC Byrnes HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.5 Feb 2, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 5/5 stars   Rivals: 5/5 stars   (84)
Du'Von Millsap
OL		 Buford, GA Buford HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 320 lb (150 kg) 5.0 Oct 27, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (76)
Ronald Patrick
OL		 Cocoa, FL Cocoa HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 280 lb (130 kg) - Jun 21, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (72)
Kelcy Quarles
DT		 Greenwood, SC Greenwood HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 4.7 Nov 24, 2008 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   (81)
Corey Robinson
OL		 Havelock, NC Havelock HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 295 lb (134 kg) 5.1 Jun 30, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (76)
Ace Sanders
WR		 Bradenton, FL Manatee HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 4.4 Jan 28, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   (75)
Cadarious Sanders
DB		 LaGrange, GA Troup County HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.6 Jul 26, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (75)
Connor Shaw
QB		 Flowery Branch, GA Flowery Branch HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 4.5 Apr 11, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (78)
Corey Simmons
DE		 Norcross, GA Greater Atlanta Christian School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 5.1 Jan 27, 2010 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   (-)
J.T. Surratt
DT		 Winston-Salem, NC Parkland HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 285 lb (129 kg) - Jun 18, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   (75)
Dylan Thompson
QB		 Boiling Springs, SC Boiling Springs HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.6 Jun 15, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   (74)
Brison Williams
DB		 Warner Robins, GA Northside HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) - Jun 21, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (74)
Tramell Williams
OL		 Jacksonville, FL Robert E. Lee HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 280 lb (130 kg) 4.9 Jun 26, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   (75)
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 34    Rivals: 24    ESPN: 23
  • ‡ Refers to 40-yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "South Carolina Signee List 2010". Rivals.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: South Carolina". Scout.
  • "2010 Player Signees- South Carolina". ESPN.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.
  • "2010 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.
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Rankings

See also: 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
More information Week, Poll ...
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRV241312201910191718221718181922
CoachesRV251615222012201717221717162022
HarrisNot released112119192217171720Not released
BCSNot released2120192317181920Not released
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Coaching staff

Notes and references

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