Georgia, South Carolina Recover from Early Struggles to Roll
By Kyle Kensing
Nov 17, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA Wofford Terriers running back Will Gay (25) runs the ball during the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE
Apparently, Southern Conference members jockeying for the FCS Playoffs Wofford and Georgia Southern didn’t receive the memo about rolling over for their SEC opponents. In the annual FCS-SEC November Saturday, Wofford tied South Carolina 7-7 at halftime and Georgia Southern trailed Georgia just 10-7 late in the second quarter.
After settling in, both Georgia and South Carolina took control in the second half to cruise. South Carolina rattled off 20 consecutive points to defeat Wofford, 27-7. Georgia stifled Georgia Southern after the Eagles’ initial push.
Both SoCon programs await their postseason fates. The FCS Playoff selection show is set for 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Each were initially game for their SEC foes on Saturday. Wofford’s hard-nosed, old school style netted 130 first half rushing yards, exactly half of which came from Terrier senior fullback Eric Breitenstein. The Walter Payton Award candidate scored the Terriers’ first half touchdown just 43 seconds before halftime.
Wofford’s defense kept South Carolina in check through the first quarter, before giving up a touchdown to Kenny Miles. The Gamecock running back is buoying the home team with 87 yards rushing. Quarterback Connor Shaw threw a first half interception, one of two Gamecock turnovers.
Down south in Athens, Georgia has been unable to convert yards into points. The Bulldogs approached 200 in the first half, but a pair of turnovers vexed the Bulldogs. Georgia Southern’s triple option offense resulted in four ball carriers accruing at least 25 yards by halftime. Quarterback Jerick McKinnon rushed for the Eagles’ first half score.
Aaron Murray responded, lacerating the over-matched Georgia Southern secondary for four consecutive touchdown passes. Georgia closed out the third quarter with over 400 total yards and a 31-point lead.