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Run stopping still sore spot of Gamecock defense

The game couldn’t have started better for the Gamecocks. Up 14 after just four minutes of game time, it looked like things would go into cruise control and South Carolina would coast to a postseason game.

Western Carolina had other plans. What ensued was a slugfest ending in a 44-31 Gamecock win putting them in the promised land of bowl eligibility.

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It wasn’t easy for South Carolina (6-5, 3-5 SEC). The Catamounts (2-9, 1-7 SoCon) put up 367 yards of total offense, 236 of which came on the ground. They were down a touchdown or less three times Saturday, not allowing the Gamecocks to pull away until late.

“I think we came out a little flat, personally,” linebacker Jonathan Walton said. “I think once we buckled down and figured out what we were doing to do with their offense and the different formations they were giving up we played a lot better. Overall, I think we could have played better than that.”

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Western Carolina had two 100-yard rushers—Detrez Newsome and Tyrie Adams—who combined for 218 yards and a touchdown on 34 combined carries. Adams, the Catamounts’ starting quarterback, scrambled for the majority of his yardage and took advantage of Gamecocks in coverage and missed tackles.

Missed tackles continue to be a problem for the defense, and it contributed to the first 30-point game it’s allowed all season.

“You’re either coaching or letting it happen,” head coach Will Muschamp said. “So obviously we’re letting it happen. We’re not doing a good enough job coaching.”

It’s the second time this season the Gamecocks allowed two 100-yard rushers in a game. The last duo to do it was Sony Michel and Nick Chubb for Georgia.

It’s also the fifth game this year the defense has given up over 200 yards total rushing. Mississippi State, Kentucky, Texas A&M and UGA also accomplished that.

“We just didn’t play Gamecock football today,” linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams said. “When we don’t play our style of defense, stuff like that happens. But we’re going to move on; we’re bowl eligible. We got our seniors to a bowl game. A win’s a win.”

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The redzone defense continues to be a bright spot for this Gamecock defense, giving up just three scores on four trips. The defense also pulled off a goal-line stand from their own 1-yard line to hold the Catamounts to no points.

“We dedicate days in the week to our red zone defense,” linebacker T.J. Holloman said. “We dedicate multiple periods of the day just to focus on stopping the run, stopping the pass and studying their key formations and what they like to do in the red zone. I feel like the extra time we put into it makes us successful.”

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The Gamecock defense will face a tougher test this week with Clemson and it’s Heisman contender Deshaun Watson, but Allen-Williams said the red zone defense will stay the same, pointing out it’s a point of pride for this team.

“It’s easier to defend a shorter field,” he said. “There’s not a lot you can do in the red zone, not a lot of space for guys to move around and work. (Defensive Coordinator Travaris Robinson) tells us all the time about having pride. When guys step inside the 20 yard line it’s just a pride you gotta have about not letting them in the box.”

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