After Deebo Samuel announced that he wouldn’t be playing in the Belk Bowl, it looked like it would help even things out between the South Carolina Gamecocks and Virginia Cavaliers. Once the ball was kicked, it looked as though Samuel being there may not have helped all that much as the Hoos blanked the Cocks by a score of 28-0.
UVA jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead after posting two hefty touchdown drives of 77 and 90 yards. The only time the Gamecocks had a scoring opportunity in the first half, they missed a field goal.
The second half was more of the same. With 7:14 remaining in the third, UVA’s star receiver Olamide Zaccheaus reeled in his second touchdown catch of the day. Carolina looked to have some life a couple of drives later after a long completion from Jake Bentley to Shi Smith put the Cocks at the UVA eight yard line. But it was all for naught as they proceeded turn it over on downs after a run for a three yard loss and three incompletions. It was just that kind of day for Muschamp and Co.
South Carolina entered this game with an injury list the length of CVS a receipt. No one was expecting a cake walk against an athletic UVA team, but even with the injuries South Carolina looked unprepared for this game. They were dominated on both lines of scrimmage and finished with 43 rushing yards. Receivers were dropping passes and on the other side, UVA just looked like they wanted it more.
South Carolina is thankful for the offseason because it means they can finally heal up.