SEC Power Rankings: Alabama in class by themselves, LSU sliding fast

Nov 14, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (11) gets around Florida Gators wide receiver Chris Thompson (85) on a punt return in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

The South Carolina Gamecocks have played with great effort in the four games since Steve Spurrier retired, but with a 24-14 loss to the SEC East champion Florida Gators Saturday, the Gamecocks have now lost three games in a row by 10 points or fewer.

Losing to Florida was particularly damaging because it was South Carolina’s seventh of the season, which means the Gamecocks will miss the postseason for the first time since 2007 and secured the first losing season for the program since 2003.

Other than interceptions by T.J. Gurley and Gerald Dixon, the South Carolina defense struggled to contain Florida’s rather mediocre offense. The Gators gained 401 total yards in the game. The Gamecocks struggled to move the football consistently, and had just 201 total yards. Quarterback Perry Orth threw for 163 yards and connected with Pharoh Cooper on a 38-yard touchdown, but was also intercepted twice.

Cooper, who caught three passes for 40 yards and was South Carolina’s leading rusher with just 16 yards on three carries, also had a 17-yard TD pass to Orth. Overall, the Gamecocks gained just 21 rushing yards. After falling behind 17-0, the Gamecocks fought back and pulled to within 17-14 before a late Florida touchdown put the game out of reach.

South Carolina should finally get back into the win column next week against in-state FCS foe The Citadel, though a victory in the Palmetto Bowl against No. 1 Clemson the following week is a real long shot.

Next Game: Saturday November 21 vs. The Citadel

Next: Kentucky