Misstep in Missouri: Gamecocks mount comeback but fall short against Tigers

South Carolina quarterback Jason Brown lay on the turf in the north end zone at Memorial Stadium and glared up into the cool Missouri night.

After a heroic effort lifting USC to a win over Florida last week, Brown could only stare into the sky as Missouri defensive end and Irmo product Trajan Jeffcoat scooped up a fumble in the South Carolina end zone for the final death knell in the Tigers’ 31-28 win Saturday night.

A week ago, the Gamecocks (5-5, 2-5 SEC) were crisp and explosive. They dominated Florida on both lines of scrimmage. They bludgeoned Dan Mullen’s squad with a dynamic rushing attack and smothered Gators quarterback Emory Jones with consistent pressure.

Saturday, though, the cold Midwest conditions on the tundra in CoMo stalled South Carolina’s momentarily scorching offensive display of the week past.

Brown — who completed 13 of his first 15 throws against Florida — lacked the crispness he showcased in his first start in the garnet and black. Dropping back on South Carolina’s second play from scrimmage, the former St. Francis signal-caller undershot Dakereon Joyner and watched his toss land in the arms of Missouri defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine.

Brown finished his night 16 of 30 for 193 yards with two touchdowns and an interception — though Missouri had two picks called back for penalties.

South Carolina momentarily responded to the early adversity of Saturday night’s wackiness when Kevin Harris’ one-yard touchdown plunge capped off an eight-play, 45-yard drive courtesy of a Connor Bazelak interception.

First half offensive blip aside, the Gamecocks flopped when afforded chances to stretch out its 7-0 lead. MarShawn Lloyd gave South Carolina the national lead in fumbles lost when he mishandled a handoff from Brown in the first quarter.

USC sandwiched its lone other touchdown on the night — a 26-yard scramble drill connection between Brown and Josh Vann — with a pair of punts as Missouri marched down the field and connected on a last-second field goal to take a 17-14 halftime lead.

South Carolina followed up its sluggish first half by slogging through the final 30 minutes of Saturday’s contest. The Gamecocks’ first four drives of the second half resulted in two punts, a fumble and a turnover on downs.

Facing a Missouri defense that had struggled to stop a Hot Wheels car, let alone a Southeastern Conference offense this fall, South Carolina notched just five yards of offense in Saturday’s third quarter as Eli Drinkwitz’s squad watched its lead balloon to 17 points.

White gave the Gamecocks one last gasp when he slipped into the open field on a pass from Brown and scampered 38 yards into the end zone to pull South Carolina within two possessions with just under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.

After a Brad Johnson interception deep in Missouri territory, White notched his second touchdown of the night to give the Gamecocks one last breath of life when he plunged forward for a three-yard score.

While Brown stared into the sky after the Jeffcoat fumble recovery touchdown, the Gamecocks are now looking down the barrel of a gun as it relates to bowl eligibility with games against Auburn and Clemson coming over the next two weeks.

A win Saturday would’ve given the Gamecocks some much-needed momentum heading into two crucial tilts. South Carolina now limps toward an end to the season that, assuming the offensive woes of week past are here to stay, looks like it will conclude without a postseason for the third-straight season.

First Down

After recording a season-high 284 rush yards against Florida last week, South Carolina’s anemic ground game returned in CoMo.

The Gamecocks trio of Kevin Harris, MarShawn LLoyd and ZaQuandre White combined for just 104 yards rushing on 30 carries against the Tigers.

Touchdown

Among the few bright spots in South Carolina’s loss Saturday, Josh Vann continued to find a late season form that could help spark the Gamecocks’ offense in its final two games.

Vann exploded for 127 yards and 128 yards against East Carolina and Georgia, respectively, in Weeks 2 and 3. But after five weeks in which he didn’t notch more than 45 yards receiving, the former four-star recruit has now gone consecutive games with at least 60 yards.

Key Numbers

2 — South Carolina’s number of fumbles lost to Missouri

5 — The Gamecocks’ total yards in Saturday’s third quarter