South Carolina was a 20-point underdog coming into the game with Florida and was coming off its most embarrassing performance in over 50 years two at Texas A&M two weeks ago.
To make matters worse, the Gamecocks have already lost starting quarterback Luke Doty for the season with a foot injury. Zeb Noland, the graduate assistant coach/quarterback who stepped in when Doty was injured and led Carolina to three victories, had minor knee surgery during the South Carolina open week and was unable to play against Florida.
Noland’s season has been a story book season within its self. But now the Gamecocks had to put their faith and trust in their third quarterback, Jason Brown.
Brown became the third different quarterback to start for Carolina this season. The FCS transfer from tiny St. Francis University (Pa.) made his first Southeastern Conference start one that he will never forget. Brown threw for two touchdowns; Kevin Harris and ZaQuandre White each rushed for over 100 yards and South Carolina’s defense held the potent Gators’ attack to just 82 yards rushing.
Brown looked like an SEC veteran as he filled in after grad-assistant coach-turned-quarterback Noland continued his recovery from knee surgery last week. It’s probably not Brown’s last start at South Carolina after what he showed in this one. He steadily led South Carolina on five first-half scoring drives for a 30-10 lead at the break.
Brown said that even though he was the third quarterback on the depth chart for most of the season, he prepared as if he was the starter and he kept that mentality while waiting his chance. “Just like that, I was the next guy up,” Brown said. “At this level, there’s no excuses, you’ve got to be ready to play.”
“He’s always prepared himself for the moment,” Gamecocks’ receiver Josh Vann said about Brown.
During the off week leading into the game, Gamecock Coach Shane Beamer challenged his players to be competitors, to compete, and to win their one-on-one battles on every play.
Brown said that South Carolina ran the same plays that they ran against Texas A&M, but the difference was that the Gamecocks won the one-on-one battles.
Saturday night Beamer reflected on his days as Steve Spurrier’s assistant at South Carolina and the big wins and crazy atmosphere when the Gamecocks won those games.
The first-year coach got his first true taste of that with Spurrier in the building as the Gamecocks routed Florida, 40-17, on Saturday night.
“I remember days and nights like this when he was here from 2007-2010 as the Gamecocks won their only SEC Eastern Division in that final season,” Beamer said.
“We’re not there yet,” Beamer cautioned. “We’re still a work in progress, but we took a big step tonight.”
Few of followers across the SEC thought the Gamecocks (5-4, 2-4) would make that big of a step.
The Gators (4-5, 2-5) entered averaging 242 yards a game on the ground and 483 yards of total offense, third best in the SEC. But South Carolina became the first team this season to outgain them, 459-340. The Florida rushing game was held to 82 net yards for the game.
The 40 points scored by the Gamecocks were the most points South Carolina has ever scored against Florida in their series and the 23-point win was the largest margin of victory ever versus the Gators.
The South Carolina season has had more ups and downs than a Disney World roller coaster, but the Gamecocks have a chance at the postseason. They need to win just once in their final three games to become bowl eligible to send first-year coach Beamer to the postseason. They travel to Missouri next week before closing with No. 16 Auburn and Clemson at home.
No one expected Carolina to be in this bowl position. When the Gamecock players were asked about becoming bowl eligible they said that Beamer has told them all season to “write your own story!”
The Gamecocks are writing their own story!
Lindy’s Sports Post Game Coaches Corner South Carolina vs Florida – YouTube
