USC DROPS TO 6-4 ON SEASON AFTER 2ND STRAIGHT LOSS

The narrative of yet another late-season collapse is becoming an all-too-likely a possibility for this year’s University of South Carolina football team.

The Gamecocks fell to 6-4 on the season after dropping their second straight game Saturday, losing 33-16 at Arkansas. The Gamecocks have lost three of their last four games.

Things looked promising for USC into the second half, though.

The teams were tied at halftime. On the first play of the third quarter, USC quarterback Stephen Garcia hit his favorite target, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, for an 80 yard touchdown.

But kicker Spencer Lanning missed the extra point and it was all downhill from there for USC.

Arkansas scored two more touchdowns and tackled Jeffery in the end zone for a safety to go up 26-16. A fourth quarter touchdown solidified the win for Arkansas.

On paper, Garcia had yet another solid day. The sophomore quarterback was 20-34 and threw for 327 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

But when the Gamecocks needed him most, Garcia couldn’t connect.

Jeffery led the receiving corps with five receptions totaling 116 yards including the 80 yard touchdown.

The Gamecock backfield, however, was once again completely ineffective.

USC somehow managed to have a worse day on the ground than the 65 rushing yards they had against Tennessee last week. On Saturday, the Gamecocks recorded a whopping 53 yards rushing.

The Gamecocks, who are bowl eligible, will have to have impressive showings in their final two games of the season to make a decent bowl.

The good news: Both games are at home and there is a bye between them.

The bad news: The games are against No. 1 Florida and arch-rival Clemson, which has won four straight including an upset win of then-10th ranked Miami.

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