GAMECOCKS COME CLOSE TO TOPPLING TOP-RANKED GATORS IN COLUMBIA

For three quarters of football Saturday, it seemed as if the University of South Carolina could do the impossible: Knock off the unbeaten, No. 1 Florida Gators.

But, in the end, it was too good to be true.

The Gamecocks, trailing 17-14 at the start of the fourth quarter, drove down field to set up a third-and-three at the Gator 22 yard line. That’s when Florida defensive end Justin Trattou changed the game by intercepting USC quarterback Stephen Garcia and returning it 53 yards.

Not only did the Gamecocks lose a chance at a game-tying field goal, but they lost the momentum built by three quarters of solid football. Four plays later, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow rushed for a record-tying 53rd career touchdown to put the Gators up 24-14.

That score would hold as the beleaguered Gamecocks never recovered.

“That turnover took a lot of steam” out of USC, head coach Steve Spurrier said. “Give Florida credit. They played pretty well. I don’t know if by their standards they thought they played super.”

Garcia had one of his worst statistical games of the season, going 17-for32 for only 186 yards, one touchdown and two crucial interceptions.

The Gamecocks ground game continued to sputter as USC recorded a meager 61 yards rushing. Florida also USC’s top two receivers, Alshon Jeffery and Moe Brown, to a combined 78 yards.

Florida, which has already won the SEC East title, is now 10-0 on the year and has won 20 games in a row. The Gators finish the regular season with two non-conference games against Florida International and Florida State, before taking on Alabama in the SEC championship game on Dec. 5 in Atlanta.

USC has next week off and will host arch-rival Clemson on Nov. 28. The 6-5 Gamecocks will likely have to beat the Tigers, 7-3, if they want to have any hope at making it to a decent bowl game.

The Florida loss was the third straight for USC, and the fourth in five games. This is the fourth straight year that the Gamecocks have gotten off to a strong start only to falter down the stretch.

Photo: Getty Images