AJ Swann hurt as Vanderbilt football falls to South Carolina for 14th straight year
Vanderbilt football has seemingly found every possible way to lose to South Carolina over the years. On Saturday, the Commodores found another way.
After a low-scoring rock fight against Missouri two weeks ago, Vanderbilt found more production on offense, but turnovers and a failure to contain several trick plays put undue pressure on a defense that regressed from its last outing.
Final score: South Carolina 38, Vanderbilt 27.
Quarterback AJ Swann left the game with an injury in the second quarter, and the Commodores (3-6, 0-5 SEC) faltered despite showing some late grit at FirstBank Stadium.
The loss extended Vanderbilt's losing streak over South Carolina (6-3, 3-3) to 14 games and its SEC losing streak to 25 games.
DAN JACKSON CONTROVERSYVanderbilt assistant to coach vs South Carolina after defending Kanye West's antisemitism
BASEBALL SCHEDULEVanderbilt baseball 2023 schedule includes home series with UCLA, two tournaments
Mistakes abound
In a first half full of weirdness, Vanderbilt found itself on the wrong side of several unusual plays. The Commodores allowed a touchdown pass from wide receiver Dakereon Joyner, a third-and-19 conversion and a fullback dive near midfield going for a touchdown.
Vanderbilt also had two turnovers in the half, both by AJ Swann. Swann threw an interception and fumbled before leaving the game late in the second quarter with an injury suffered on a hard hit.
In the third quarter, the Commodores allowed a fake field goal conversion by South Carolina that led to a touchdown, even after the Gamecocks faced second-and-20 twice on the drive and third-and-20 once.
Though the Commodores' run game was effective, the mistakes kept Vanderbilt from taking full advantage.
Chippiness
After the play in which Swann was hurt, Vanderbilt wide receiver Will Sheppard got into it with South Carolina defensive back Cam Smith. Both players received personal fouls on the play. Going into halftime, things got chippy again and both teams were assessed personal fouls after the final play of the second half.
Defensive woes
Amid season-long struggles, Vanderbilt's defense was coming off a strong game in holding Missouri to 17 points. But the struggles returned against the Gamecocks. South Carolina had a balanced attack, remaining effective in the rush and pass, and the trick plays it pulled out were effective.
Vanderbilt's offense did return largely to the form it showed earlier in the season, with the run game being particularly effective. Once Wright came in the game, the Commodores leaned even more heavily on their rushing attack.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football loses to South Carolina for 14th straight time
