Game Balls: Louisiana Tech
Offense
Ty'Son Williams
Williams got his first start of the year and the running game woke up. Williams finished with 95 yards on 13 carries, including the 35-yard touchdown run that briefly put the Gamecocks ahead in the fourth quarter. Williams also had two catches for 14 yards. He did have a bad third quarter fumble that ended a promising drive.
Bryan Edwards
Without Deebo Samuel lining up across from him, Edwards stepped up and turned in the best game of his career. He had six catches for a career-high 122 yards, just his second career 100-yard receiving game. Edwards made several tough grabs in traffic, including the crucial 41-yard catch that set up the Gamecocks' game-winning field goal. Edwards also got wide open for a touchdown in the first quarter, but was overthrown by Jake Bentley.
Jake Bentley
Bentley had another uneven game. He finished with strong numbers: 22-34 for 295 yards, a touchdown, and interception, but for three quarters his day was about missed opportunities. He overthrew Edwards for a wide open touchdown in the first quarter, and was frequently a little behind, high, or long on his throws. But in the fourth quarter Bentley made pay when they counted most, and his play on the final drive was brilliant.
Defense
Daniel Fennell
Fennell finished with only three tackles, but his impact didn't show up in statistics. With Bryson Allen-Williams out with a season-ending shoulder injury, Fennell was the Gamecocks' most effective pass rusher. He had the Gamecocks' only sack, and got pressure to help force an interception.
Skai Moore
Moore is getting better each game as he works his way back from a neck injury. He finished with a game-high 12 tackles, and was frequently able to redirect ball carriers toward teammates who could finish the play. Moore also moved into eighth place on the Gamecocks' career tackles list.
Special Teams
Javon Charleston
Charleston's recovery of Chris Lammons' fumble on a fourth quarter punt return likely saved the game for the Gamecocks. If he doesn't make the recovery, the Bulldogs would have run down the clock to make the comeback impossible.
Parker White
White went from villain to hero. He was 0-2 on field goals in the first half, and the fans mockingly cheered when he made a PAT. But White bounced back to make the game-winning field goal, no easy task for any kicker, let alone one who had yet to make a field goal in his career.
