Top five plays of 2013
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This week, Gamecock Central is counting down the top five plays of 2013 as we prepare for the Capitol One Bowl against Wisconsin on Jan. 1.
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Today, No. 5, Mike Davis' 53-yard touchdown run against Central Florida.
Trailing 10-0 on the road in Orlando to a Central Florida team that wouldn't lose another regular-season game, the Gamecocks needed a spark on offense after a first half marred by Connor Shaw's injury on a fumble on the game's first drive.
Enter Mike Davis.
After just five first-half carries that netted 17 yards, Davis exploded for 150 yards in the second half, none bigger than his 53-yard touchdown run around the left side that sparked the Gamecocks to 28 straight points and the win. On the day Davis finished with 167 yards on 26 carries and three touchdowns - just missing what would have been a school-record fourth when he fumbled at the UCF 3 yard line with 3:18 remaining in the game.
Starting at the USC 25, on first down Davis rushed for six yards to the 31, then Brandon Wilds added another five. Davis then ran for another 11 on first-and-10 from the 36, and on first down from the 47 he took the handoff and ran straight, then bounced outside to his left when he saw no hole inside. From there he hit the gas and burst past four UCF defenders almost untouched to the end zone.
The play showed Davis was a back who could rescue an ailing offense on the road and secure a victory, one that would only get sweeter as the season wore on and UCF played its way to a BCS bowl bid.
