Disastrous Second Quarter Looms Large In Gamecocks 30-17 Loss To Texas A&M

South Carolina's Football team played well in certain stretches, but couldn't put it all together in a 30-17 loss to Texas A&M.

In a road game where South Carolina was able to win the first quarter, the floodgates eventually busted open in the second quarter, and the Gamecocks were unable to overcome it in the end, as Carolina dropped their ninth game in ten tries to the Texas A&M Aggies, losing 30-17.

On the first offensive drive of the second half, the Gamecocks reverted back to plays where Rattler didn't have to stand back in the pocket, calling for quick passes and a dose of inside runs from Mario Anderson Jr. Throw in a spectacular catch by Trey Knox on a 3rd down right near midfield, and South Carolina was able to kick a field goal and cut the Aggies' lead down to 10 points. Clayton White's unit then returned the favor by getting a three-and-out, but a misfire by Rattler and 3rd down drop by Legette would prevent the drive from being extended.

On the ensuing game drive, Texas A&M's offense came out and made it clear that they wanted to establish the run game on early downs, which allowed them to set up manageable third down passing situations for Max Johnson and got them inside the Gamecocks' ten-yard line. After getting a fortunate bounce with seemingly a missed touchdown call, Carolina's defense held strong and forced the Aggies to settle for a field goal.

Down 10 points once again and with the defense worn down from the previous drive, Rattler and the offense needed to mount a response, and they did, thanks to multiple ten-plus yard plays from Mario Anderson Jr. and Nyckoles Harbor, setting up a two-yard play-action touchdown pass to Joshua Simon. A bad effort play by O'Donnell Fortune on the following defensive possession, and the Aggies continued emphasis on pounding the rock, would get Texas A&M another field goal, once again making it a two-score game.

From this point onward, the game didn't ever shift back in the Gamecocks direction, as Carolina would fail to convert on multiple 4th downs offensively, and the defense just had too much of the onus of the game put on their shoulders. Carolina now will have to run the table in November if they wish to go bowling this postseason, as they drop to 2-6 on the year and will take on Jacksonville State in the Battle of The Gamecocks next weekend.

Join the community:

• Follow Andrew Lyon on Twitter: @ALyon_SC
• Follow Joseph Griffin on Twitter: @JosephGriffinJG
• Follow Fisher Brewer on Twitter: @USCTalk
• Follow Locked On Gamecocks on Youtube or wherever you get your podcasts

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @GamecocksDigest.