Gamecock Game Balls: Georgia Game
Marcus Lattimore -- Duh. All he did was tote the ball 37 times for 182 yards and score both of USC's touchdowns, while also catching one pass for 16 yards. Lattimore handled the ball on almost every crucial play, including 50 yards worth of carries on the initial touchdown drive and taking it eight times in the 11-play final drive, which ended in a field goal. Wanting to wind the clock away on the final drive, coach Steve Spurrier told Lattimore he was going to give him the ball; already tired on a humid day, Lattimore never wavered. Inspired by the Williams-Brice Stadium crowd chanting, "Latt-i-more!," he shredded tackles on the final drive and collected 56 yards. Total drive -- 57 yards.
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Alshon Jeffery -- Even on a day where the rushing game dominated the stat sheets, the sophomore wideout still carved out a niche for himself. He had his second straight 100-yard game, with seven catches for 103 yards, and hauled in a 40-yard strike from Stephen Garcia that helped settle the quarterback down. Garcia completed 12-of-17 throws but looked shaky throughout; Jeffery's leaping ability and way of getting those lanky arms around defenders to get the ball was invaluable.
DeVonte Holloman -- Moments after getting burned on a 55-yard arch down the sideline, Holloman made up for it. Just as he did last week with his interception against Southern Miss, Holloman squashed an opponent just as it was threatening to score and get back in the game. On second-and-goal from the USC 8-yard-line, Washaun Ealey took the ball up the gut and found Holloman waiting. Holloman stripped the ball as Ealey fell over Rodney Paulk, which prevented his knee from touching the ground, and former high-school teammate Stephon Gilmore was there to pick up the fumble. Holloman also tied for the team lead with seven tackles.
Devin Taylor -- The sophomore defensive end began to drop back in coverage on zone blitzes and started making his presence felt. He had five tackles, including three for loss and two sacks, and stood up on two huge third downs. On third-and-2 in the second quarter, Aaron Murray rolled out and had an open lane before Taylor ran at him, stuck out his forearm and dropped the redshirt freshman. On third-and-4 in the fourth, Murray avoided Tony Straughter's blitz to find Ealey with a pass to the flat, but as soon as Ealey cut upfield, he found the 98 on Taylor's jersey right in his face.
Ladi Ajiboye -- Despite playing with his left hand encased in a cast, Ajiboye collected six tackles and helped stuff Ealey and Georgia's running game. He played last week but couldn't get much tackle ability without his fingers; his fingers were out of the cast against Georgia and he looked like the Ajiboye of old.
Steve Spurrier -- When's the last time a Spurrier offense had 189 of its 354 yards on the ground? Spurrier recognized early that Georgia was giving Lattimore plenty of room to run so he kept going with it. He never lost patience and called for one of his beloved passes downfield, preferring to stick with what was working. It may have not been a typical Spurrier approach -- running the ball and playing defense -- but it won.
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