# 2020 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

The 2020 South Carolina Gamecocks football team (variously South Carolina, USC, SC, or The Gamecocks) represented the University of South Carolina in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season marked the Gamecocks' 127th overall season, and 29th as a member of the SEC East Division. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, and were led by head coach Will Muschamp until his firing on November 15. Mike Bobo, the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Carolina played a ten-game all-conference schedule in 2020. The Gamecocks did not play their archrival Clemson for the first time since 1908. Home games were extremely regulated, limited to approximately 15,000 season ticket holders and a small number of other spectators, all required to wear masks. The Gamecocks compiled a 2–8 record, their fourth losing season in six years. The team accepted a bid to the Gasparilla Bowl, as the NCAA had waived bowl eligibility requirements for the season. The Gamecocks were slated to play UAB, but had to withdraw on December 22 due to COVID-19 issues within the program.

## Preseason
### 2020 recruiting class

College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Jordan Burch DE | Columbia, SC | Hammond | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 91 ||||||
| MarShawn Lloyd RB | Hyattsville, MD | DeMatha | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 211 lb (96 kg) | May 27, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 85 ||||||
| Luke Doty QB | Myrtle Beach, SC | Myrtle Beach | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jul 31, 2018 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 84 ||||||
| Alex Huntley DT | Columbia, SC | Hammond | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 279 lb (127 kg) | Jun 8, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 81 ||||||
| Tonka Hemingway DT | Conway, SC | Conway | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 259 lb (117 kg) | Aug 15, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 82 ||||||
| Mohamed Kaba LB | Clinton, NC | Clinton | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 212 lb (96 kg) | May 9, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 81 ||||||
| Eric Shaw TE | Notasulga, AL | Reeltown | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Aug 15, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 80 ||||||
| Mike Wyman WR | Greensboro, NC | Dudley | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 188 lb (85 kg) | Apr 16, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 82 ||||||
| Rico Powers WR | Atlanta, GA | Hapeville Charter | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | Sep 17, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 80 ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 18 Rivals: 17 247Sports: 13 ESPN: 20 ||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2020 South Carolina Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. "2020 South Carolina Commits". Scout.com. "2020 commits". ESPN.com. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. "2020 South Carolina Gamecocks football team". 247sports.com. ||||||

### SEC Media Days

In the preseason media poll, South Carolina was predicted to finish in fifth place in the East Division.
Media poll (East Division) :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Florida | 624 (53) |
| 2 | Georgia | 613 (43) |
| 3 | Tennessee | 434 |
| 4 | Kentucky | 405 |
| 5 | South Carolina | 287 |
| 6 | Missouri | 224 |
| 7 | Vanderbilt | 101 |

## Schedule

South Carolina had games scheduled against Clemson, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, and Wofford, which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first season since 1908 that the Gamecocks did not play Clemson.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 26 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 16 Tennessee | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC (rivalry) | SECN | L 27–31 ‡ | 15,009 |
| October 3 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 3 Florida | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL | ESPN | L 24–38 | 15,120 |
| October 10 | 12:00 p.m. | at Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | SECN | W 41–7 | 1,288 |
| October 17 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 15 Auburn | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | ESPN | W 30–22 | 15,766 |
| October 24 | 7:00 p.m. | at LSU | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | ESPN | L 24–52 | 21,855 |
| November 7 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 7 Texas A&M | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | ESPN | L 3–48 | 16,253 |
| November 14 | 7:30 p.m. | at Ole Miss | Vaught–Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS | SECN | L 42–59 | 13,596 |
| November 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Missouri | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC (Mayor's Cup) | SECN Alt. | L 10–17 | 13,603 |
| November 28 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 9 Georgia | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC (rivalry) | SECN | L 16–45 | 16,444 |
| December 5 | 7:30 p.m. | at Kentucky | Kroger FieldLexington, KY | SECN | L 18–41 | 12,000 |
| Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings (after November 24) released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||
‡ As part of their penalty for NCAA violations, Tennessee has retroactively vacated its 2020 victory over South Carolina. However, the penalty to vacate victories does not result in a loss (or forfeiture) of the affected game or award a victory to the opponent, therefore South Carolina still considers the game a loss in their official records.

## Game summaries
### Tennessee

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 16 Volunteers | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
| Gamecocks | 7 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 27 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
* Date: September 26, 2020
* Game time: 7:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Wind:NNW 3 mph (4.8 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy
* Game attendance: 15,009
* Referee: Ken Williamson
* TV: SECN
* Pregame line: Tennessee –4 O/U 45
| Statistics | TENN | SC |
| First downs | 21 | 22 |
| Total yards | 394 | 379 |
| Rushes/yards | 33–133 | 35–89 |
| Passing yards | 261 | 290 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 20–32–0 | 25–39–1 |
| Time of possession | 25:10 | 34:50 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tennessee | Passing | Jarrett Guarantano | 19–31, 259 yards, 1 TD |
| Tennessee | Rushing | Ty Chandler | 13 rushes, 86 yards, 0 TD |
| Tennessee | Receiving | Josh Palmer | 6 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD |
| South Carolina | Passing | Collin Hill | 25–39, 290 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 13 rushes, 55 yards, 1 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Shi Smith | 10 catches, 140 yards, 1 TD |

### At Florida

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Gamecocks | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| No. 3 Gators | 14 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 38 |
at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, FL
* Date: October 3, 2020
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind:N 9 mph (14 km/h) • Weather: Partly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 15,120
* Referee: Lee Hedrick
* TV: ESPN
* Pregame line: Florida –15 O/U 56.5
| Statistics | SC | FLA |
| First downs | 25 | 18 |
| Total yards | 329 | 348 |
| Rushes/yards | 36–117 | 24–80 |
| Passing yards | 212 | 268 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 28–47–0 | 21–29–1 |
| Time of possession | 36:23 | 23:37 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Carolina | Passing | Collin Hill | 28–47, 212 yards, 2 TD |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 22 rushes, 100 yards, 1 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Shi Smith | 12 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD |
| Florida | Passing | Kyle Trask | 21–29, 268 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT |
| Florida | Rushing | Dameon Pierce | 9 rushes, 51 yards, 1 TD |
| Florida | Receiving | Kadarius Toney | 6 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD |

### At Vanderbilt

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Gamecocks | 3 | 7 | 17 | 14 | 41 |
| Commodores | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, TN
* Date: October 10, 2020
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind:N 9 mph (14 km/h) • Weather: Partly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 1,288
* Referee: Alex Moore
* TV: SECN
* Pregame line: South Carolina –14 O/U 40.5
| Statistics | SC | VAN |
| First downs | 18 | 15 |
| Total yards | 485 | 249 |
| Rushes/yards | 39–289 | 33–76 |
| Passing yards | 196 | 173 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16–24–0 | 18–27–1 |
| Time of possession | 31:27 | 28:33 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Carolina | Passing | Collin Hill | 16–24, 196 yards, 0 TD |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 21 rushes, 177 yards, 2 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Nick Muse | 5 catches, 85 yards, 0 TD |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Ken Seals | 17–24, 148 yards, 1 TD |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Keyon Henry–Brooks | 13 rushes, 75 yards, 0 TD |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Amir Abdur–Rahman | 2 catches, 46 yards, 0 TD |

### Auburn

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 15 Tigers | 9 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 22 |
| Gamecocks | 0 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 30 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
* Date: October 17, 2020
* Game time: 12:00 p.m.
* Game weather: • Temperature: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind:NE 10 mph (16 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
* Referee: Steve Marlowe
* TV: ESPN
* Pregame line: Auburn –2.5 O/U 53.5
| Statistics | AU | SC |
| First downs | 27 | 20 |
| Total yards | 481 | 297 |
| Rushes/yards | 36–289 | 43–183 |
| Passing yards | 272 | 144 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 24–47–3 | 15–24–1 |
| Time of possession | 28:43 | 31:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 24–47, 272 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT |
| Auburn | Rushing | Tank Bigsby | 16 rushes, 111 yards, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Receiving | Seth Williams | 4 catches, 74 yards, 0 TD |
| South Carolina | Passing | Collin Hill | 15–24, 144 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 25 rushes, 185 yards, 2 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Shi Smith | 8 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD |

### At LSU

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Gamecocks | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| Tigers | 10 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 52 |
at Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA
* Date: October 24, 2020
* Game time: 7:30pm
* Game attendance: 21,855
* TV: ESPN
| Statistics | SC | LSU |
| First downs | 17 | 29 |
| Total yards | 403 | 541 |
| Rushes/yards | 29-169 | 54-276 |
| Passing yards | 234 | 265 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 12-22-1 | 17–21–1 |
| Time of possession | 22:26 | 37:34 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Carolina | Passing | Collin Hill | 12–22, 234 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 12 carries, 126 yards, 2 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Keveon Mullins | 2 receptions, 101 yards |
| LSU | Passing | T. J. Finley | 17–21, 265 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| LSU | Rushing | Tyrion Davis-Price | 22 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD |
| LSU | Receiving | Terrace Marshall Jr. | 6 receptions, 88 yards, 2 TD |

### Texas A&M

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 7 Aggies | 7 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 48 |
| Gamecocks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
* Date: November 7, 2020
* Game time: EDT
* Game attendance: 16,253
* TV: ESPN
| Statistics | TA&M | SC |
| First downs | 26 | 9 |
| Total yards | 530 | 150 |
| Rushes/yards | 45/264 | 25/50 |
| Passing yards | 266 | 100 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17-27-0 | 12–28–2 |
| Time of possession | 38:21 | 21:39 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Texas A&M | Passing | Kellen Mond | 16–26, 224 yards, 4 TD |
| Texas A&M | Rushing | Isaiah Spiller | 18 carries, 131 yards |
| Texas A&M | Receiving | De’Von Achane | 2 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD |
| South Carolina | Passing | Collin Hill | 8-21, 66 yards, 2 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 13 carries, 39 yards |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Shi Smith | 7 receptions, 64 yards |

### At Ole Miss

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Gamecocks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rebels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS
* Date: November 14, 2020
* Game time: EDT
* Game weather: • Temperature:
* Pregame line:
| Statistics | SC | MS |
| First downs | 27 | 31 |
| Total yards | 548 | 708 |
| Rushes/yards | 39/318 | 48/195 |
| Passing yards | 230 | 513 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17-29-1 | 28-32-0 |
| Time of possession | 29:19 | 30:41 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Carolina | Passing | Collin Hill | 17–28, 230 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 25 carries, 243 yards, 5 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Shi Smith | 10 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD |
| Ole Miss | Passing | Matt Corral | 28–32, 513 yards, 4 TD |
| Ole Miss | Rushing | Jerrion Ealy | 17 carries, 84 yards, 2 TD |
| Ole Miss | Receiving | Elijah Moore | 13 receptions, 225 yards, 2 TD |

### Missouri

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Gamecocks | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
* Date: November 21, 2020
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: • Temperature:
* Game attendance: 13,603
* TV: SECN Alt.
* Pregame line:
| Statistics | MIZ | SC |
| First downs | 19 | 18 |
| Total yards | 301 | 283 |
| Rushes/yards | 34/98 | 36/114 |
| Passing yards | 203 | 169 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 21-33-1 | 20–33–1 |
| Time of possession | 28:34 | 31:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Missouri | Passing | Connor Bazelak | 21–33, 203 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Missouri | Rushing | Larry Rountree III | 21 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD |
| Missouri | Receiving | Keke Chism | 6 receptions, 57 yards |
| South Carolina | Passing | Luke Doty | 14–23, 130 yards, 1 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Luke Doty | 11 carries, 59 yards |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Nick Muse | 6 receptions, 67 yards |

### No. 9 Georgia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 9 Bulldogs | 21 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 45 |
| Gamecocks | 0 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
* Date: November 28, 2020
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: • Temperature:
* Game attendance: 16,444
* Pregame line:
| Statistics | UGA | SC |
| First downs | 24 | 16 |
| Total yards | 471 | 273 |
| Rushes/yards | 46/332 | 43/83 |
| Passing yards | 139 | 190 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 10-16-1 | 18-22-1 |
| Time of possession | 31:09 | 28:51 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia | Passing | JT Daniels | 10–16, 139 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Georgia | Rushing | James Cook | 6 carries, 104 yards, 2 TD |
| Georgia | Receiving | Tre' McKitty | 2 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD |
| South Carolina | Passing | Luke Doty | 18–22, 190 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 17 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Nick Muse | 8 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD |

### At Kentucky

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Gamecocks | 3 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 18 |
| Wildcats | 10 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 41 |
at Kroger Field • Lexington, KY
* Date: December 5, 2020
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 35 °F (2 °C) • Wind: 4 NW mph
* Game attendance: 12,000
* Referee: Marc Curles
* TV: SECN
* Pregame line: • Box Score
| Statistics | SC | UK |
| First downs | 21 | 24 |
| Total yards | 404 | 492 |
| Rushes/yards | 44/297 | 45/291 |
| Passing yards | 107 | 201 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 12-27-1 | 17–26–0 |
| Time of possession | 25:49 | 34:11 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Carolina | Passing | Luke Doty | 11–25, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 21 carries, 210 yards, 1 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Dakereon Joyner | 4 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD |
| Kentucky | Passing | Terry Wilson | 17–26, 201 yards |
| Kentucky | Rushing | Chris Rodriguez Jr. | 14 carries, 139 yards, 3 TD |
| Kentucky | Receiving | Justin Rigg | 3 receptions, 72 yards |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: — = Not ranked 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 | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Coaches | — | | RV | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | | | | | Not released |

## Players drafted into the NFL

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
| 1 | 8 | Gavin Bennett | OC | Carolina Panthers |
| 3 | 103 | Ernest Jones | ILB | Los Angeles Rams |
| 6 | 204 | Shi Smith | WR | Carolina Panthers |
| 6 | 227 | Israel Mukuamu | CB | Dallas Cowboys |