Clowney Unspectacular, South Carolina Rolls

Aug 29, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mike Davis (28) rushes for a 75 yard touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Vaunted South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney did nothing to capture the votes or imagination of Heisman voters during the Gamecocks’ 27-10 season-opening win over North Carolina.

South Carolina might be in better position than expected, though.

The Gamecocks, behind RB Mike Davis, showed a more explosive, balanced offense than expected in Week 1 to cruise past the Tar Heels.

Davis rushed 12 times for 115 yards, including a 75-yard TD. His touchdown came seconds after North Carolina had to settle for a field goal inside the 10-yard line. Had the Tar Heels punched the ball into the end-zone, they would have cut what was once a 17-point lead down to a three-point advantage.

Instead, Davis essentially put the game away with his long run.

Gamecocks QBs Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson each threw touchdowns on their first attempts. QB2 Thompson threw just one pass and only when Shaw landed awkwardly at the end of a run.

Shaw played a good game without doing anything special. That’s largely become par for the course for the senior, who doesn’t have the tools or grace of a Johnny Manziel but finds ways to win games. Shaw threw for 149 yards – 65 on a first-possession TD pass to WR Shaq Roland – and rushed for 43 more.

The Gamecocks’ ability to maintain its offensive balance will be key for their hopes to represent the SEC East in Atlanta at year’s end.

Clowney, meanwhile, served as an oft-discussed decoy. North Carolina obviously put a great deal of thought into how to limit Clowney’s impact and succeeded in doing so.

However, the South Carolina defense contained QB Bryn Renner and largely nullified the Tar Heels run game.

While the South Carolina offense was the story tonight, the talking points tomorrow will be split between Clowney’s unspectacular 2013 debut and the dirty block from behind North Carolina took on the superstar after a lengthy lightning delay.