Red Gets Cocky With South Carolina - Scores 28 Unanswered in Bitter Contest

#56 Texas Tech – 7
#9 South Carolina – 28

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The South Carolina defense lived up to its billing harassing and frustrating the high-powered Texas Tech aerial attack in a 28-7 opening round victory.

Texas Tech finished with just 2 first downs on the day and 65 yards of offense - 43 of which came on an opening drive 4th down 43 yard TD pass. The Red Raiders went just 1 of 13 passing the rest of the way, finishing 3 of 17 on the day, and going 0 of 7 on 3rd down and 1 of 4 on 4th.

The game was tight going into the 4th, tied at 7, before Stephen Garcia punched in a 4th down TD sneak with 2:27 remaining. The Gamecocks would punch in twice more with the game seemingly out of reach - a 31 yard Marcus Lattimore TD run with 1:03 to play and a 21 yard fumble return for TD by Rodney Paulk - drawing the ire of Orange who didn't finish the round as well as he started. He's made it very clear that he has next round's matchup with Red, which also happens to be #1 Alabama vs. #33 Florida, highlighted in his dayplanner and does not intend to let up. #getchyapopcornready

Stats:
South Carolina
QB Stephen Garcia – 6 of 10, 98 yards
RB Marcus Lattimore – 20 carries, 88 yards, 2 TD
WR Alshon Jeffrey – 2 rec, 45 yards
DT Travian Robertson - 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
LB Rodney Paulk - TFL, sack, fumble rec, TD

Texas Tech
QB Seth Doege - 3 of 17, 51 yards, TD
LB Brett Dewhurst - 5 tackles, 3 TFL, PBU