SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 2, 2013
South Carolina 34, Mississippi State 16: Quarterback Connor Shaw tied a career high by throwing for four touchdowns and running back Mike Davis added 128 yards on the ground as the Gamecocks cruised to victory over the visiting Bulldogs.
Shaw, who has battled both a knee sprain and a virus in the past two weeks, erased any doubts about his health, tallying 147 yards on 10-for-20 passing for South Carolina (7-2, 5-2 SEC). The Gamecocks defense made it relatively easy on Shaw, forcing a season-high five turnovers.
The Bulldogs had only turned the ball over six times all season entering Saturday, but quarterback Dak Prescott couldn't get comfortable against the Gamecocks pass rush, throwing three interceptions and fumbling once. Prescott did rush for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries for Mississippi State (4-4, 1-3).
Mississippi State put together an impressive nine-play, 60-yard touchdown drive on its first possession to grab an early lead, but Shaw found receiver Shaq Roland twice in the first quarter for touchdown tosses to give South Carolina a lead it never relinquished.
Davis racked up 82 of his rushing yards in the second half after he had special padding inserted during halftime to help nurse a bruised rib, and went over 1,000 yards for the season during the third quarter.
GAME NOTEBOOK: South Carolina won despite converting just 1 of 11 third downs. ... Davis became the second Gamecock to rush for over 100 yards seven times in a single season ... Shaw's four touchdowns give him 50 in his career, moving him into second place in school history behind Steve Taneyhill.