2014 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

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 Eastern 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 a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl where they defeated Miami (FL).

2014 South Carolina Gamecocks football
Independence Bowl champion
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
2014 record7–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinatorSteve Spurrier, Jr. (3rd as Co OC, 10th overall season)
Co-offensive coordinatorShawn Elliott (American football) (3rd as OC, 5th overall season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorLorenzo Ward (3rd as DC, 6th overall season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumWilliams-Brice Stadium
(Capacity: 80,250)
2014 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Eastern Division
No. 14 Missouri x  7 –1     11 –3  
No. 9 Georgia  6 –2     10 –3  
Florida  4 –4     7 –5  
Tennessee  3 –5     7 –6  
South Carolina  3 –5     7 –6  
Kentucky  2 –6     5 –7  
Vanderbilt  0 –8     3 –9  
Western Division
No. 4 Alabama x$^  7 –1     12 –2  
No. 11 Mississippi State  6 –2     10 –3  
No. 22 Auburn  4 –4     8 –5  
LSU  4 –4     8 –5  
Texas A&M  3 –5     8 –5  
Arkansas  2 –6     7 –6  
No. 17 Ole Miss*  0 –3     1 –4  
Championship: Alabama 42, Missouri 13
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Ole Miss vacated all wins (except for Presbyterian) due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

Before the season

2014 recruiting class

National award watch lists

[1]

Preseason All-America

[1]

Preseason All-SEC
  • OL A.J. Cann
    • SEC Media (2nd team)
    • Phil Steele (1st team)
    • Athlon Magazine (1st team)
  • RB Mike Davis (running back)
    • 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 (offensive tackle)
    • SEC Media (2nd team)
    • Athlon Magazine (3rd team)
  • WR Shaq Roland
    • Athlon Magazine (3rd team)
  • DB Brison Williams
    • SEC Media (2nd team)

[1]

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 286:00 p.m.No. 21 Texas A&MNo. 9
SECNL 28–5282,847
September 67:00 p.m.East Carolina*No. 21
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
ESPNUW 33–2380,899
September 133:30 p.m.No. 6 GeorgiaNo. 24
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC (rivalry)
CBSW 38–3584,232
September 207:30 p.m.at VanderbiltNo. 14
SECNW 48–3434,441
September 277:00 p.m.MissouriNo. 13
ESPNL 20–2183,493
October 47:30 p.m.at Kentucky
SECNL 38–4562,135
October 1812:00 p.m.Furman*
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
SECNW 41–1078,101
October 257:30 p.m.at No. 5 Auburn
SECNL 35–4287,451
November 17:30 p.m.Tennessee
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
SECNL 42–45 OT81,891
November 1512:00 p.m.at Florida
SECNW 23–20 OT85,088
November 2212:00 p.m.South Alabama*
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
SECRNW 37–1278,201
November 2912:00 p.m.at No. 21 Clemson*
ESPNL 17–3582,720
December 274:00 p.m.vs. Miami (FL)*
ABCW 24–2138,242
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Source:[2]

Roster
2014 South Carolina Gamecocks roster

Quarterbacks

  • 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

Full Backs

  • 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 (offensive tackle) – 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 – Sophomore

Punters

  • 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:[3]

Depth chart

For: 8/28/14 (Texas A&M)

Game summaries

Texas A&M
See also: 2014 Texas A&M Aggies football team
#21 Texas A&M Aggies at #9 South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
#21 Texas A&M 10 21 14752
#9 South Carolina 7 7 14028

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: August 28, 2014
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 82,847
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Brent Musburger, Jesse Palmer
Game information

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 PM EDT, this game was scheduled to be the first live football game broadcast on the SEC Network.[6] 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.[7]

East Carolina
See also: 2014 East Carolina Pirates football team
East Carolina Pirates at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
East Carolina 6 10 0723
#21 South Carolina 7 13 10333

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: September 6, 2014
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 80,899
  • TV announcers (ESPN2/ESPNU):  
Game information

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.[8] South Carolina won the most recent matchup in 2012 by a score of 48-10.[6] 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.[9]

Georgia
See also: 2014 Georgia Bulldogs football team
Georgia Bulldogs at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
#6 Georgia 10 3 71535
#24 South Carolina 14 10 7738

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: September 13, 2014
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 84,232
  • TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson
Game information

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;[6] 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.[10] The Bulldogs won last year’s matchup 41-30 in Athens, Georgia behind a 4 touchdown performance by Aaron Murray.[11]

Vanderbilt
See also: 2014 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
South Carolina Gamecocks at Vanderbilt Commodores – Game summary
1 2 34Total
#14 South Carolina 0 17 102148
Vanderbilt 14 0 101034

at Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: September 20, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 34,441
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

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.[12]

Missouri
See also: 2014 Missouri Tigers football team
Missouri Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Missouri 7 0 01421
#13 South Carolina 3 7 3720

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: September 27, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 83,493
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

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.[13] 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.[14] 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
See also: 2014 Kentucky Wildcats football team
South Carolina Gamecocks at Kentucky Wildcats – Game summary
1 2 34Total
South Carolina 7 10 14738
Kentucky 0 17 72145

at Commonwealth Stadium • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: October 4, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 62,135
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

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.[15] The Gamecocks have won the last three meetings, including last year’s 35-28 win at home.[16]

Furman
See also: 2014 Furman Paladins football team
Furman Paladins at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Furman 7 0 3010
South Carolina 14 14 10341

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: October 18, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 78,101
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

In-state FCS team Furman comes to Columbia in Week 8 with the Gamecocks coming off of a bye week.

Auburn
See also: 2014 Auburn Tigers football team
South Carolina Gamecocks at Auburn Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
South Carolina 7 14 14035
#4 Auburn 7 14 14742

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

  • Date: October 25, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 87,451
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

South Carolina visits the defending SEC champion Auburn Tigers on October 25, 2014. Auburn leads the all-time series 9-1-1.[6] Auburn has won all seven matchups since South Carolina joined the SEC in 1992, including the 2010 SEC Championship Game.[17]

Tennessee
See also: 2014 Tennessee Volunteers football team
Tennessee Volunteers at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Tennessee 7 14 021345
South Carolina 7 7 1414042

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: November 1, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 81,891
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

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.[18] 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.[19] The loss eventually cost South Carolina the SEC Eastern Division title and a trip to the SEC Championship game.

Florida
See also: 2014 Florida Gators football team
South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
South Carolina 10 0 07623
Florida 0 10 70320

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida

  • Date: November 15, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 85,088
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

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.[20] South Carolina’s last win in Gainesville took place in 2010 in a game that clinched the Gamecocks’ first SEC East division title.[21]

South Alabama
See also: 2014 South Alabama Jaguars football team
South Alabama Jaguars at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
South Alabama 3 6 0312
South Carolina 10 7 61437

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: November 22, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance: 78,201
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

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.[6]

Clemson
See also: 2014 Clemson Tigers football team
South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Tigers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
South Carolina 7 3 0717
Clemson 7 14 7735

at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, South Carolina

  • Date: November 29, 2014
  • Game time: TBA
  • Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather:
  • Game attendance:  
  • TV announcers (TBA):  
Game information

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.[22] Gamecock QB Dylan Thompson made his second career start in the last matchup at Memorial Stadium, replacing injured QB Connor Shaw. Thompson threw for 310 yards with 3 touchdowns in the 35-17 loss to the Tigers.[23]

Rankings
Further information: 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final 
AP 9 21 24 14 13 RV RV RV NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 
Coaches 9 (1) 21 23 16 15 RV NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 
CFP Not released NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Not released

References
  1. Whittle, John. "Carolina Players Earning Preseason Honors". 247Sports.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  2. "2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  3. "Official Football Roster". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  4. "2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Depth Chart" (PDF). University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  5. 2014 South Carolina Gamecocks Depth Chart
  6. "South Carolina Announces 2014 Football Schedule". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  7. Hairopoulos, Kate (July 28, 2014). "One of the Best Parts of New Texas A&M-South Carolina "Rivalry"? Steve Spurrier Weighing in on the Aggies". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  8. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. East Carolina". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  9. "Dylan Thompson Starts for Connor Shaw, Sparks South Carolina's Rout". ESPN. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. "Connor Shaw Solid as South Carolina Squashes Georgia to Stay Unbeaten". ESPN. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  11. "Aaron Murray, No. 11 Georgia Top No. 6 S. Carolina in SEC East Clash". ESPN. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  12. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  13. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Missouri". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  14. "Connor Shaw Rallies South Carolina by Mizzou in 2 OTs". ESPN. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  15. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Kentucky". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  16. "No. 13 South Carolina Wins Minus Jadeveon Clowney". ESPN. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  17. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Auburn". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  18. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Tennessee". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  19. "Connor Shaw Hurt as No. 11 South Carolina Falls to Tennessee". ESPN. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  20. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Florida". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  21. "Steve Spurrier, South Carolina Shut Down Florida to Clinch SEC East". ESPN. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  22. "Winsipedia: South Carolina vs. Clemson". Winsipedia.com. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  23. "Steve Spurrier Beats Clemson, Becomes S. Carolina's Winningest Coach". ESPN. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
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