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South Carolina’s 2014 season was far from perfect and far from preseason expectations. SDS takes a look at the five most important losses from the Gamecocks’ year, in what will ultimately be a season to forget.
Texas A&M 52, South Carolina 28
Coming into the season, the South Carolina Gamecocks were a top-10 ranked team, a SEC East favorite and in some cases, a dark horse for the College Football Playoff.
But the loss to Texas A&M not only opened the season for the Gamecocks, it also opened the eyes of everyone that this year’s South Carolina team wasn’t as good as advertised. It provided everyone a first glimpse at just how significant of issues South Carolina’s defense would have in 2014 as they allowed 680 total yards.
Kentucky 45, South Carolina 38
One of three SEC East losses for the Gamecocks this season in which they had a double-digit lead in the fourth-quarter. South Carolina squandered a 14-point lead to the Wildcats in Lexington, as sophomore Jojo Kemp ran over South Carolina’s defense thanks to the Wildcat formation.
Poor coaching in the end by the Gamecocks, combined with a pick-six off a Dylan Thompson interception, gave Kentucky its first back-to-back SEC wins since 2009.
It was losses like this one that defined South Carolina’s 2014 season.
Missouri 21, South Carolina 20
The Gamecocks’ loss to Missouri was probably one of the more disheartening defeats in 2014.
Despite a season-opening loss, South Carolina seemed to get in a groove winning three straight, including an upset win over Georgia.
In the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks held a 13-point lead and were playing their best defensive game of the season, holding Missouri to just seven points.
But seemingly in minutes, the Tigers stormed back and took a 21-20 lead thanks to some long passes by quarterback Maty Mauk. And just like that, Missouri stole a win in Columbia and South Carolina fell into a tail spin, losing its next three of four games.
Tennessee 45, South Carolina 42 (2OT)
South Carolina gave away some fourth-quarter leads in 2014, but the worst came against Tennessee at home. The Vols scored to bring the deficit to just seven points with 1:50 left on the clock, but once again poor clock management and execution allowed Tennessee a shot.
Quarterback Josh Dobbs made South Carolina pay and led the Vols on a game-tying drive, eventually winning the game in OT. Considering this was Dobbs’ first start, it’s safe to say not many saw this coming.
And it ended up being a game where South Carolina left with more questions and frustrations than answers.
Clemson 35, South Carolina 17
We didn’t learn much about South Carolina in its regular-season finale against in-state rival Clemson. The Tigers were clearly the better team and it showed on the field.
Clemson’s 35-17 win over the Gamecocks, however, snapped a five-game losing streak to South Carolina.
With how South Carolina’s season ended up this year, this Palmetto Bowl victory for Clemson may have been the game the Tigers needed to flip the momentum in the rivalry.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
