The 2014 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Gamecocks competed as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as part of its East Division. The team was led by head coach Steve Spurrier, in his tenth year, and played its home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. They finished the season 7–6, 3–5 in SEC play to finish in fifth place in the East Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl where they defeated Miami (FL).
After three eleven-win seasons, South Carolina began ranked No. 9 in the country, and tied for the eleventh-best odds to win the national championship. However, despite Dylan Thompson breaking the school record and leading the SEC in passing yards, this season would mark the end of South Carolina's golden age. The opening upset blowout loss to No. 21 Texas A&M snapped the Gamecocks' eighteen-game home winning streak. The Gamecocks rebounded, winning the next three games, including an upset over No. 6 Georgia. However, South Carolina lost five of their last eight games in the regular season, including a loss that sent them out of the top 25 for the first time since 2010, and their first loss to archrival Clemson since 2008. The fourth consecutive bowl victory was a school record, but the seven wins were the fewest since 2009. For the rest of the mid-to-late 2010s, South Carolina would struggle to return to national prominence.
Before the season
2014 recruiting class
National award watch lists Camp - Mike Davis Groza - Elliot Fry Hornung - Pharoh Cooper Lombardi - A.J. Cann Mackey - Rory Anderson Maxwell - Mike Davis Outland - A.J. Cann Outland - Corey Robinson Outland - Brandon Shell Rimington - Cody Waldrop Walker - Mike Davis
Preseason All-America OL A.J. Cann Phil Steele (1st team) RB Mike Davis Phil Steele (3rd team)
Preseason All-SEC OL A.J. Cann SEC Media (2nd team) Phil Steele (1st team) Athlon Magazine (1st team) RB Mike Davis SEC Media (2nd team) Phil Steele (2nd team) Athlon Magazine (2nd team) K Elliot Fry Athlon Magazine (3rd team) LB Skai Moore Athlon Magazine (3rd team) OL Corey Robinson SEC Media (2nd team) Athlon Magazine (3rd team) WR Shaq Roland Athlon Magazine (3rd team) DB Brison Williams SEC Media (2nd team)
Schedule
Source:
Roster 2014 South Carolina Gamecocks rosterQuarterbacks 5 Brendan Nosovitch – sophomore 6 Connor Mitch – freshman 10 Perry Orth – sophomore 12 Michael Scarnecchia – freshman 13 Grant Davitte – freshman 15 Austin Hails – junior 17 Dylan Thompson – senior
Running backs 7 Shon Carson – junior 22 Brandon Wilds – junior 28 Mike Davis – junior 32 Rod Talley – sophomore 33 David Williams – junior 49 Devin Potter – sophomore
Fullbacks 30 Darius Paulk – freshman 31 Jordan Diaz – senior 41 Connor McLaurin – senior 43 Garrison Gist – junior 44 Gerald Turner – freshman 45 Brandon Sturdivant – sophomore
Wide receivers 1 Damiere Byrd – senior 3 Nick Jones – senior 4 Shaq Roland – junior 8 Shamier Jeffery – junior 9 Tyshun Samuel – freshman 11 Pharoh Cooper – sophomore 14 Shaq Davidson – freshman 19 Terry Googer – freshman 21 Andrew Bunch – sophomore 29 Matrick Belton – sophomore 80 K.J. Brent – junior 82 Caleb Hines – freshman 83 Carlton Heard – junior 84 Matthew Harvey – junior 85 Kane Whitehurst – junior 87 Sean Odom – sophomore
Tight ends 40 Jacob August – freshman 48 Nick McGriff – freshman 81 Rory Anderson – senior 86 Kevin Crosby – freshman 88 Drew Owens – junior 89 Jerell Adams – junior Offensive line 50 A.J. Cann – senior 51 Cody Waldrop – sophomore 52 Bryce King – freshman 53 Corey Robinson – senior 54 Clayton Stadnik – sophomore 55 Na’Ty Rodgers – freshman 60 D.J. Park – freshman 65 Brock Stadnik – sophomore 70 Alan Knott – freshman 71 Brandon Shell – junior 72 Donell Stanley – freshman 74 Mason Zandi – sophomore 75 Will Sport – junior 76 Mike Matulis – junior 77 Malik Young – freshman
Defensive Line (DT) 52 Phillip Dukes – junior 90 Taylor Stallworth – freshman 92 Gerald Dixon Jr. – junior 93 Deon Green – junior 94 Kelsey Griffin – sophomore 97 J.T. Surratt – senior 99 Abu Lamin – sophomore
Defensive Line (DE) 5 Darius English – sophomore 18 Cedrick Cooper – junior 34 Mason Harris – junior 44 Gerald Dixon – junior 51 Devin Washington – freshman 55 David Johnson – freshman 91 Blake McClain – freshman 95 Michael Washington – junior Linebackers 4 Bryson Allen-Williams – freshman 8 Kaiwan Lewis – junior 10 Skai Moore – sophomore 11 T.J. Holloman – sophomore 21 Marquis Roberts – sophomore 28 Jonathon Walton – sophomore 41 Kyle Morini – senior
Spurs 9 Sharrod Golightly – senior 23 Larenz Bryant – sophomore 42 Jordan Diggs – sophomore 46 Cedrick Malone – sophomore
Defensive backs 1 Rico McWilliams – sophomore 3 Chris Lammons – freshman 7 Wesley Green – freshman 14 Ali Groves – freshman 15 Al Harris Jr. – freshman 22 Jamari Smith – sophomore 24 D.J. Smith – freshman 30 Sidney Rhodes – senior 35 Shannon James – sophomore 39 Demetrius Smalls – freshman 43 Benjamin Russell – freshman
Safeties 6 Chris Moody – sophomore 12 Brison Williams – senior 17 Chaz Elder – sophomore 20 T.J. Gurley – junior 25 Kadetrix Marcus – senior 26 Jasper Sasser – freshman 49 Devin Potter – sophomorePunters 13 Tyler Hull – senior 18 Patrick Fish – senior
Placekickers 16 Zach Cimaglia – sophomore 19 Landon Ard – junior 29 Elliot Fry – sophomore
Long snappers 47 Drew Williams – sophomore 58 Ryland Culberson – senior 59 Coleman Harley – junior Source:
Depth chart For: 8/28/14 (Texas A&M)
Game summaries
Texas A&M
The Gamecocks open the 2014 season with a Thursday night matchup against conference foe Texas A&M. It will be the first meeting between the two schools. With kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. EDT, this game was scheduled to be the first live football game broadcast on the SEC Network. As the first game of the Gamecocks-Aggies cross-division rivalry, the winner of this game will be awarded the new Bonham Trophy, named after Alamo war hero and South Carolina alumnus James Butler Bonham.
East Carolina
South Carolina hosts East Carolina for Week 2 of the college football season. The Gamecocks hold a 12-5 all-time series record against the Pirates. South Carolina won the most recent matchup in 2012 by a score of 48–10. It was the first career start for then-backup QB Dylan Thompson, who threw for 330 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions in the victory.
Georgia
The SEC East rival Georgia Bulldogs visit South Carolina on September 13, 2014, to conclude the Gamecocks three-game homestand. Georgia leads the all-time series 48-17-2; however, the Gamecocks have won three of the last four matchups, including a dominating 35–7 victory in the last meeting at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Bulldogs won last year's matchup 41–30 in Athens, Georgia behind a 4 touchdown performance by Aaron Murray.
Vanderbilt
South Carolina travels to Vanderbilt for the first road game of the 2014 season. South Carolina holds a 19-4 all-time series record against the Commodores, and has won the last five meetings.
Missouri
The Gamecocks host the defending SEC East division champion Missouri Tigers for the 2014 Battle of Columbia. The all-time series record is tied at two wins apiece. South Carolina, however, has won both meetings since Missouri joined the SEC in 2012. Last year's meeting saw Gamecocks QB Connor Shaw lead a 17-point, fourth quarter comeback in Columbia, Missouri to send the game into overtime. The Gamecocks would go on to win in double overtime, becoming the only team to defeat the Tigers in the regular season. The winner of this game receives the Mayors’ Cup Trophy.
Kentucky
South Carolina's second road test of the season takes place in Lexington, Kentucky against SEC East foe Kentucky. South Carolina leads the all-time series 17-7-1. The Gamecocks have won the last three meetings, including last year's 35–28 win at home.
Furman
In-state FCS team Furman comes to Columbia in Week 8 with the Gamecocks coming off of a bye week.
Auburn
South Carolina visits the defending SEC champion Auburn Tigers on October 25, 2014. Auburn leads the all-time series 9-1-1. Auburn has won all seven matchups since South Carolina joined the SEC in 1992, including the 2010 SEC Championship Game.
Tennessee
The Gamecocks host SEC East rival Tennessee for the ninth game of the 2014 season. Tennessee leads the all-time series 23-7-2, but South Carolina has won three of the last four meetings. South Carolina will look to avenge last year's matchup in Knoxville, Tennessee when the Volunteers handed the Gamecocks their second and final loss of the 2013 season, made possible by a one-handed catch by WR Marquez North to set up a game-winning field goal. The loss eventually cost South Carolina the SEC Eastern Division title and a trip to the SEC Championship game.
Florida
South Carolina comes off their second bye week with a trip to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Florida Gators in the final SEC game of the season. The Gators lead the all-time series 24-7-3; however, the Gamecocks have won three of the last four meetings. Four of the Gamecocks’ seven wins against Florida have come since Gator legend Steve Spurrier took over as head coach in 2005. South Carolina's last win in Gainesville took place in 2010 in a game that clinched the Gamecocks’ first SEC East division title.
South Alabama
South Carolina hosts its final home game of the 2014 season against the South Alabama Jaguars. It will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Clemson
South Carolina travels to Clemson, South Carolina for the 112th Battle of the Palmetto State. Clemson leads the all-time series 65-42-4; however, South Carolina has controlled the heated rivalry series as of late, winning the last five meetings by an average margin of 16.8 points. The Gamecocks’ five game winning streak is Carolina's longest winning streak in the series. Steve Spurrier is 6–3 against the Tigers since taking over as head coach in 2005. Gamecock QB Dylan Thompson made his second career start in the last matchup at Memorial Stadium, replacing injured QB Connor Shaw. Thompson threw for 249 yards with 1 touchdown in the 35–17 loss to the Tigers.
Rankings
Notes and references