# 2010 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

The 2010 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Steve Spurrier, who was in his sixth season at USC. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina and were members of the East Division of the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks finished the season 9–5, 5–3 in SEC play to win the East Division for the first and only time in program history.
The division championship was made possible by a relatively weakened SEC East and several Gamecocks having successful seasons. Returning quarterback Stephen Garcia had another top-5 season for the school in many statistical categories. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery had "one of the best SEC receiver seasons ever" as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. Running back Marcus Lattimore, in the only healthy season of his career, was named the National Freshman of the Year. The offense and defense were both statistically in the top half of the SEC.
Following the season-opening win, the Gamecocks entered the AP Top 25 and would not leave it again until September 2014. In the fourth home game, South Carolina upset defending national champion No. 1 Alabama, which was on a nineteen-game winning streak. This was the first and only victory over a top-ranked team in program history. One month later, South Carolina clinched the SEC East by defeating No. 24 Florida in the Swamp for the first time in program history. Spurrier was carried off the field by his players.
In the program's only appearance in the SEC Championship Game, the Gamecocks lost to No. 1 Auburn for the second time that season. Regardless, Spurrier was awarded his seventh and final SEC Coach of the Year Award. They were invited to the Chick-fil-A Bowl, where they were defeated by No. 23 Florida State. South Carolina finished the season ranked for the first time since 2001, and the nine-win season was only the third in program history.

## Preseason

On April 10, 2010, the White squad defeated the Garnet squad, 21–17, in the annual Garnet & Black Spring Game, in front of a crowd of 22,000.

## Schedule

The October 9 game against Alabama played host to ESPN's College GameDay, the program's 5th time hosting the popular ESPN show.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 7:30 pm | Southern Miss* | | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | ESPN | W 41–13 | 70,438 |
| September 11 | 12:00 pm | No. 22 Georgia | No. 24 | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC (rivalry) | ESPN2 | W 17–6 | 80,974 |
| September 18 | 7:00 pm | No. 24 (FCS) Furman* | No. 13 | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | ESPN3 | W 38–19 | 73,681 |
| September 25 | 7:45 pm | at No. 17 Auburn | No. 12 | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL | ESPN | L 27–35 | 87,451 |
| October 9 | 3:30 pm | No. 1 Alabama | No. 19 | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC (College GameDay) | CBS | W 35–21 | 82,993 |
| October 16 | 6:00 pm | at Kentucky | No. 10 | Commonwealth StadiumLexington, KY | ESPN2 | L 28–31 | 67,955 |
| October 23 | 7:00 pm | at Vanderbilt | No. 19 | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | SECRN | W 21–7 | 33,425 |
| October 30 | 12:21 pm | Tennessee | No. 17 | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC (rivalry) | SECN | W 38–24 | 79,336 |
| November 6 | 7:00 pm | No. 17 Arkansas | No. 18 | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | ESPN | L 20–41 | 75,136 |
| November 13 | 7:15 pm | at No. 24 Florida | No. 22 | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL | ESPN | W 36–14 | 90,885 |
| November 20 | 12:21 pm | Troy* | No. 17 | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | SECN | W 69–24 | 74,117 |
| November 27 | 7:00 pm | at Clemson* | No. 18 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC (rivalry) | ESPN2 | W 29–7 | 81,355 |
| December 4 | 4:00 pm | vs. No. 2 Auburn | No. 18 | Georgia DomeAtlanta, GA (SEC Championship Game) | CBS | L 17–56 | 75,802 |
| December 31 | 7:30 pm | vs. No. 23 Florida State* | No. 19 | Georgia DomeAtlanta, GA (Chick-fil-A Bowl) | ESPN | L 17–26 | 72,217 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Eastern time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### Southern Miss

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| Gamecocks | 7 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 41 |
Quarterback Stephen Garcia and freshman running back Marcus Lattimore each rushed for two touchdowns and USC head coach Steve Spurrier won his 18th straight season opener, 41-13 over Southern Miss. Sophomore wide receiver Alshon Jeffery also had 106 receiving yards and freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders had a 53-yard run off of a reverse. Freshman backup quarterback Connor Shaw also had a highlight, throwing his first touchdown pass as a Gamecock to wide receiver D.L. Moore.

### Georgia

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #22 Bulldogs | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| #24 Gamecocks | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore carried for 182 yards and two touchdowns, as #24 South Carolina outmatched #22 Georgia, 17-6, in the SEC opener for both teams. Quarterback Stephen Garcia was 12-17 for 165 yards, with seven of his passes caught by wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who finished with 103 yards. Lattimore had 103 yards rushing in the first half, and USC held a 228-73 edge in total yards after the first two quarters. Georgia's 6 points were the fewest allowed by Carolina to a Bulldog team since a 2-0 USC victory in 1904, and the Gamecock defense held the Bulldogs to 61 rushing yards. Head Coach Steve Spurrier won his 106th SEC game, tying him for second all-time in the conference with former Ole Miss coach Johnny Vaught.

### Furman

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Paladins | 0 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 19 |
| #13 Gamecocks | 14 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
Stephen Garcia went 13-20 for 150 yards with two touchdown passes, and Marcus Lattimore had 19 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown to lead the #13 Gamecocks to a 38-19 win over Furman. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore sealed the game with an 80-yard interception return for touchdown in the 4th quarter.

### Auburn

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #12 Gamecocks | 14 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
| #17 Tigers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 35 |

### Alabama

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #1 Crimson Tide | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 21 |
| #19 Gamecocks | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
USC toppled Alabama at home to notch their first defeat of a top-ranked team in school history.

### Kentucky

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #10 Gamecocks | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Wildcats | 0 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 31 |

### Vanderbilt

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #19 Gamecocks | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Commodores | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |

### Tennessee

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Volunteers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| #17 Gamecocks | 0 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 38 |

### Arkansas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #17 Razorbacks | 7 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 41 |
| #18 Gamecocks | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 20 |

### Florida

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #22 Gamecocks | 9 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 36 |
| #24 Gators | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
With the win, South Carolina clinched the SEC East and a spot in the SEC Championship for the first time in program history.

### Troy

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Trojans | 0 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
| #17 Gamecocks | 28 | 28 | 3 | 10 | 69 |

### at Clemson (rivalry)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 South Carolina | 9 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 29 |
| Clemson | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, South Carolina
* Date: Saturday, November 27, 2010
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: Clear
* TV: ESPN
| Statistics | SC | CLEM |
| First downs | 14 | 13 |
| Total yards | 66–322 | 62–251 |
| Rushing yards | 36–95 | 27–61 |
| Passing yards | 227 | 212 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 14–30–0 | 17–35–1 |
| Time of possession | 21:11 | 15:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Carolina | Passing | Stephen Garcia | 14/30, 227 yards, 2 TD |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Marcus Lattimore | 23 carries, 48 yards |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Alshon Jeffery | 5 receptions, 141 yards, TD |
| Clemson | Passing | Kyle Parker | 7/17, 117 yards, TD, INT |
| Clemson | Rushing | Jamie Harper | 16 carries, 58 yards |
| Clemson | Receiving | DeAndre Hopkins | 7 receptions, 124 yards, TD |

### 2010 SEC Championship vs. Auburn

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #2 Tigers | 21 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 56 |
| #18 Gamecocks | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |

### 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Florida State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #19 Gamecocks | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| #23 Seminoles | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 26 |

## Players
### Depth chart

Projected starters and primary backups for SEC Championship Game versus Auburn on December 4, 2010.
Defense :
* FS
* Akeem Auguste
* DeVonte Holloman
| WLB | MLB | SLB |
| ⋅ | Josh Dickerson | ⋅ |
| Quin Smith | Rodney Paulk | ⋅ |
* SS
* D. J. Swearinger
* DeVonte Holloman
* CB
* C.C. Whitlock
* Marty Markett
| DE | DT | DT | DE |
| Cliff Matthews | Ladi Ajiboye | Travian Robertson | Devin Taylor |
| Melvin Ingram | Kenny Davis | Aldrick Fordham | Byron McKnight |
* CB
* Stephon Gilmore
* Akeem Auguste
Offense :
* WR
* Alshon Jeffery
* D.L. Moore
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
| Kyle Nunn | Garrett Chisolm | T.J. Johnson | Rokevious Watkins | Hutch Eckerson |
| Jarriel King | Rokevious Watkins | Ronald Patrick | Terrence Campbell | Kyle Nunn |
* TE
* Patrick DiMarco
* Justice Cunningham
* WR
* Tori Gurley
* Ace Sanders
* QB
* Stephen Garcia
* Connor Shaw
* Key reserves
* RB Kenny Miles
* WR Jason Barnes
* WR Lamar Scruggs
* WR DeMario Bennett
* WR DeAngelo Smith
* DE Chaz Sutton
* DT Byron Jerideau
* TE Mike Triglia
* RB
* Marcus Lattimore
* Brian Maddox
* FB
* Patrick DiMarco
* Brian Maddox
* Special teams
* PK Spencer Lanning
* P Spencer Lanning
* KR Bryce Sherman
* PR Ace Sanders
* LS Charles Turner
* H Seth Strickland

### Awards

* Steve Spurrier - SEC Coach of the Year
* Stephen Garcia - Maxwell Award Watch List; Manning Award Watch List; Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, 10/10/10; SEC Offensive Player of the Week, 10/11/10; Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week, 10/11/10; Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week, 10/14/10
* Alshon Jeffery - Biletnikoff Award Finalist; Maxwell Award Watch List; Rivals.com National Player of the Week, 10/11/10; AFCA Coaches' All-America Team; AP & Coaches First-Team All-SEC; Walter Camp Second-Team All-American
* T.J. Johnson - SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, 9/6/10
* Spencer Lanning - Lou Groza Award Watch List, Ray Guy Award Nominee; SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, 11/15/10; SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, 11/29/10
* Marcus Lattimore - Maxwell Award Watch List; SEC Offensive Player of the Week & SEC Freshman of the Week, 9/13/10; SEC Freshman of the Week, 11/1/10; SEC Offensive Player of the Week, 11/15/10; SEC Freshman of the Week, 11/22/10; AP & Coaches First-Team All-SEC; AP & Coaches SEC Freshman of the Year; Walter Camp Second-Team All-American
* Devin Taylor - SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, 11/1/10; AP First-Team All-SEC; Coaches Second-Team All-SEC
* Garrett Chisolm - Campbell Trophy Semifinalist; Coaches Second-Team All-SEC
* Stephon Gilmore - Bednarik Award Watch List, Nagurski Trophy Watch List; Coaches First-Team All-SEC; AP Second-Team All-SEC
* Cliff Matthews - Hendricks Award Watch List, Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Lott Trophy Watch List; Coaches Second-Team All-SEC

### 2010 recruiting class

College recruiting information (2010) :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40$^‡$ | Commit date |
| Javon Bell DB | Jacksonville, FL | Ribault HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 4.5 | Feb 3, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 73 |||||||
| A.J. Cann OL | Bamberg, SC | Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | 5.1 | Jun 17, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Patrick Fish K | Lawndale, NC | Burns HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | - | Oct 4, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: - |||||||
| Cody Gibson OL | Tallahassee, FL | Lincoln HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 265 lb (120 kg) | 5.2 | Jul 7, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77 |||||||
| Toquavius Gilchrist LB | El Dorado, KS | Butler County CC | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 4.5 | Dec 15, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: - |||||||
| Sharrod Golightly DB | Decatur, GA | Southwest Dekalb HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.6 | Feb 1, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74 |||||||
| Brandon Golson LB | St. Matthews, SC | Calhoun County HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | - | Jun 11, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 80 |||||||
| Victor Hampton DB | Darlington, SC | Darlington HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 4.4 | Jan 9, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Byron Jerideau DT | Fort Scott, KS | Fort Scott CC | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 320 lb (150 kg) | 5.0 | Feb 1, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: - |||||||
| Nick Jones WR | Duncan, SC | Byrnes HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 4.45 | Nov 22, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77 |||||||
| Marcus Lattimore RB | Duncan, SC | Byrnes HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 4.5 | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 84 |||||||
| Du'Von Millsap OL | Buford, GA | Buford HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 320 lb (150 kg) | 5.0 | Oct 27, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76 |||||||
| Ronald Patrick OL | Cocoa, FL | Cocoa HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | - | Jun 21, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 72 |||||||
| Kelcy Quarles DT | Greenwood, SC | Greenwood HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | 4.7 | Nov 24, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Corey Robinson OL | Havelock, NC | Havelock HS | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | 5.1 | Jun 30, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76 |||||||
| Ace Sanders WR | Bradenton, FL | Manatee HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 4.4 | Jan 28, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75 |||||||
| Cadarious Sanders DB | LaGrange, GA | Troup County HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 4.6 | Jul 26, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75 |||||||
| Connor Shaw QB | Flowery Branch, GA | Flowery Branch HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 4.5 | Apr 11, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Corey Simmons DE | Norcross, GA | Greater Atlanta Christian School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 5.1 | Jan 27, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: - |||||||
| J.T. Surratt DT | Winston-Salem, NC | Parkland HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | - | Jun 18, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75 |||||||
| Dylan Thompson QB | Boiling Springs, SC | Boiling Springs HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 4.6 | Jun 15, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74 |||||||
| Brison Williams DB | Warner Robins, GA | Northside HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | - | Jun 21, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 74 |||||||
| Tramell Williams OL | Jacksonville, FL | Robert E. Lee HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | 4.9 | Jun 26, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75 |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 34 Rivals: 24 ESPN: 23 |||||||
| ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "South Carolina Signee List 2010". Rivals.com. "Scout.com Football Recruiting: South Carolina". Scout.com. "2010 Player Signees- South Carolina". ESPN.com. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. "2010 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. |||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | RV | 24 | 13 | 12 | 20 | 19 | 10 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 22 |
| Coaches | RV | 25 | 16 | 15 | 22 | 20 | 12 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 22 |
| Harris | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 11 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | Not released |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 21 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Not released |

## Coaching staff

* Steve Spurrier - Head Coach
* Ellis Johnson - Assistant Head Coach & Defense Assistant Coach
* Lorenzo Ward - Defensive Coordinator & Safeties
* Shane Beamer - Cornerbacks/Special Teams & Recruiting Coordinator
* Shawn Elliott - Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator
* Craig Fitzgerald - Strength & Conditioning
* Jay Graham - Running Backs
* Johnson Hunter - Tight Ends
* Brad Lawing - Defensive Line
* G. A. Mangus - Quarterbacks
* Steve Spurrier, Jr. - Wide Receivers