The 2013 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Gamecocks competed as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as part of its East Division. The team was led by head coach Steve Spurrier, in his ninth year, and played its home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.
Entering the season, the Gamecocks had lost a school-record thirteen players to the last two NFL drafts,[1] but returned several key players such as senior quarterback Connor Shaw,[2] defensive sensation Jadeveon Clowney,[3] wide receiver Bruce Ellington,[4] and running back Mike Davis.[5] South Carolina started highly ranked, like the previous two seasons, but lost an early contest on the road at No. 11 Georgia, the program's first loss to the Bulldogs since 2009.[6][7] The Gamecocks won their next four games but then stumbled again, losing on the road to unranked Tennessee, the program's first loss to an unranked team since 2011.[6] They subsequently fell to No. 20 in the country, their lowest ranking since 2010.[6][8]
However, South Carolina had its best finish to a season in program history.[9] On the road at undefeated No. 5 Missouri, the Gamecocks started 0–17.[10] An injured Connor Shaw subsequently came in to replace Dylan Thompson, and engineered a 17-point comeback in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime.[10] South Carolina won in double overtime after Missouri's kicker missed a field goal, giving the Gamecocks the first overtime victory in school history,[6][10][11] known since as the "Miracle at Mizzou".[12][13][14] The Gamecocks won the next three games at home against unranked teams, climbing back into the top ten.[6] In the highest-ranked Palmetto Bowl ever, South Carolina beat No. 6 Clemson at home, a school-record fifth consecutive victory against the Tigers.[6][15] Connor Shaw won his final home game, finishing 17–0 at Williams–Brice Stadium.[2] South Carolina was invited to play No. 19 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl to end the season.[6] The Gamecocks defeated the Badgers, with Shaw scoring all five of his team's touchdowns in the final game of his college career.[6][16] South Carolina finished with eleven wins, becoming only the twelfth team in college football history to win eleven games in three straight seasons.[17][18] The Gamecocks finished the season ranked No. 4, which remains the highest final ranking in school history.[19][20]
The 2013 Gamecocks had statistically the best offense in school history, averaging 34.1 points and a school-record 452.3 yards per game.[21][22] Connor Shaw was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award,[23] while Mike Davis had the fourth highest single-season rushing total in school history.[24]
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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August 29 | 6:00 pm | North Carolina* | No. 6 | | ESPN | W 27–10 | 81,572 |
September 7 | 4:30 pm | at No. 11 Georgia | No. 6 | | ESPN | L 30–41 | 92,746 |
September 14 | 7:00 pm | Vanderbilt | No. 12 | - Williams-Brice Stadium
- Columbia, SC
| ESPN | W 35–25 | 81,371 |
September 28 | 12:00 pm | at UCF* | No. 12 | | ABC | W 28–25 | 47,605 |
October 5 | 7:30 pm | Kentucky | No. 13 | - Williams-Brice Stadium
- Columbia, SC
| SECRN | W 35–28 | 82,313 |
October 12 | 12:21 pm | at Arkansas | No. 14 | | SECTV | W 52–7 | 66,302 |
October 19 | 12:00 pm | at Tennessee | No. 11 | | ESPN | L 21–23 | 95,736 |
October 26 | 7:00 pm | at No. 5 Missouri | No. 20 | | ESPN | W 27–24 2OT | 67,124 |
November 2 | 12:21 pm | Mississippi State | No. 14 | - Williams-Brice Stadium
- Columbia, SC
| SECTV | W 34–16 | 82,111 |
November 16 | 7:00 pm | Florida | No. 11 | - Williams-Brice Stadium
- Columbia, SC
| ESPN2 | W 19–14 | 83,853 |
November 23 | 1:00 pm | No. 11 (FCS) Coastal Carolina* | No. 12 | - Williams-Brice Stadium
- Columbia, SC
| PPV | W 70–10 | 81,411 |
November 30 | 7:00 pm | No. 6 Clemson* | No. 10 | | ESPN2 | W 31–17 | 84,174 |
January 1, 2014 | 1:00 pm | vs. No. 19 Wisconsin* | No. 8 | | ABC | W 34–24 | 56,629 |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Eastern time
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Players
Depth chart
Projected starters and primary backups versus Mississippi State on November 2, 2013.
Defense
|
FS
|
Chaz Elder
|
T.J. Gurley
|
|
WLB
|
MLB
|
SLB
|
⋅
|
Marquis Roberts
|
⋅
|
Kaiwan Lewis
|
Skai Moore
|
⋅
|
|
SS
|
Brison Williams
|
Kadetrix Marcus
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB
|
Jimmy Legree
|
Rico McWilliams
|
|
Offense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key reserves
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WR Pharoh Cooper
|
WR Shamier Jeffery
|
WR K.J. Brent
|
WR Kane Whitehurst
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TE Mason Zandi
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DE Mason Harris
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LB Jonathan Walton
|
LB Cedrick Cooper
|
|
|
|
FB
|
Connor McLaurin
|
Jordan Diaz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards
- A.J. Cann – SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, 9/30/13[26]
- Mike Davis – AgSouth Athlete of the Week, 9/30/13[27]
- Elliott Fry – SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, 10/28/13;[28] SEC Freshman of the Week, 11/18/13[29]
- Victor Hampton – SEC Defensive Player of the Week, 11/4/13[30]
- Kelcy Quarles – SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, 10/28/13[28]
- Connor Shaw – AgSouth Athlete of the Week, 9/16/13;[31] AgSouth Athlete of the Week, 10/28/13;[32] Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week, 10/28/13;[28] SEC Offensive Player of the Week, 10/28/13[28]
- Clayton Stadnik – SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, 9/16/13[33]
Game summaries
North Carolina
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Tar Heels
|
0
|
7
|
3
|
0 |
10 |
#6 Gamecocks
|
17
|
3
|
7
|
0 |
27 |
Georgia
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
#6 Gamecocks
|
3
|
21
|
0
|
6 |
30 |
#11 Bulldogs
|
10
|
14
|
10
|
7 |
41 |
Vanderbilt
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Commodores
|
0
|
10
|
0
|
15 |
25 |
#12 Gamecocks
|
21
|
7
|
7
|
0 |
35 |
UCF
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
#12 Gamecocks
|
0
|
0
|
14
|
14 |
28 |
Knights
|
7
|
3
|
0
|
15 |
25 |
Kentucky
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Wildcats
|
0
|
7
|
0
|
21 |
28 |
#13 Gamecocks
|
14
|
10
|
3
|
8 |
35 |
Arkansas
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
#14 Gamecocks
|
10
|
14
|
14
|
14 |
52 |
Razorbacks
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
0 |
7 |
Tennessee
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
#11 Gamecocks
|
0
|
7
|
14
|
0 |
21 |
Volunteers
|
3
|
14
|
0
|
6 |
23 |
Missouri
|
|
|
|
| | |
Total |
#20 Gamecocks
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
17 | 7 | 3 |
27 |
#5 Tigers
|
7
|
7
|
3
|
0 | 7 | 0 |
24 |
Mississippi State
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Bulldogs
|
7
|
3
|
0
|
6 |
16 |
#14 Gamecocks
|
14
|
3
|
17
|
0 |
34 |
Florida
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Gators
|
7
|
7
|
0
|
0 |
14 |
#11 Gamecocks
|
3
|
3
|
7
|
6 |
19 |
Coastal Carolina
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Chanticleers
|
0
|
7
|
0
|
3 |
10 |
#12 Gamecocks
|
28
|
14
|
21
|
7 |
70 |
Clemson
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
#6 Tigers
|
7
|
3
|
7
|
0 |
17 |
#10 Gamecocks
|
7
|
10
|
0
|
14 |
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
#19 Badgers
|
0
|
14
|
3
|
7 |
24 |
#8 Gamecocks
|
7
|
6
|
7
|
14 |
34 |
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking | Week |
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
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AP | 6 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
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Coaches | 7 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
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Harris | Not released | 11 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | Not released |
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BCS | Not released | 21 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | Not released |
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Coaching staff
References
- ^ "DraftHistory.com". www.drafthistory.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "Connor Shaw". University of South Carolina Athletics. June 22, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "Jadeveon Clowney". University of South Carolina Athletics. June 22, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Bennett, Charles. "South Carolina Football: Bruce Ellington's Head Finally Overrules His Heart". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Football: Looking back at the Gamecocks career of Mike Davis". South Bound & Down. July 27, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "2013 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "Winsipedia - Georgia Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Gamecocks Poll History". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "5 best seasons in South Carolina history". Saturday Down South. May 11, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c "South Carolina 27-24 Missouri (Oct 26, 2013) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Kendall, Josh (October 26, 2013). "Shaw, Shank, Redemption: Gamecocks rally for win". The State. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ Kendall, Josh (September 23, 2014). "'Miracle at Mizzou': The night Connor Shaw rescued the Gamecocks". The State. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ^ Cloninger, David (October 1, 2018). "'The Miracle at Mizzou:' Gamecocks recall one of greatest comebacks in SC football history". The Post and Courier. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ Kendall, Josh (October 29, 2013). "Gamecocks' history sprinkled with comeback victories". The State. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Winsipedia - Clemson Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina 34-24 Wisconsin (Jan 1, 2014) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Gamecocks College Football History, Stats, Records". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "Who's better: 1984 South Carolina or 2013 South Carolina?". Saturday Down South. July 16, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ "5 best seasons in South Carolina history". Saturday Down South. May 11, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "South Carolina Gamecocks AP Poll History". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Shawn Elliott". University of South Carolina Athletics. February 16, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Football's GOAT Series: Top-10 greatest offenses of all-time". Garnet and Cocky. May 19, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ "Connor Shaw". University of South Carolina Athletics. June 22, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Kevin Long, the Gamecocks' first 1,000-yard rusher, has died". Yahoo Sports. September 11, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "2013 South Carolina football schedule". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Cann Selected as SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. September 30, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "Mike Davis Named AgSouth Athlete of the Week". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. September 30, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Weekly Honors Pour in for Gamecocks". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. October 28, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "Fry Named SEC Freshman of the Week". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. November 18, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "Hampton Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. November 4, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "Connor Shaw Named AgSouth Athlete of the Week". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. September 16, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "Connor Shaw Named AgSouth Athlete of the Week". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. October 28, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "Clayton Stadnik Earns SEC Accolades". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. September 16, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
- ^ "Bio: Steve Spurrier". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: Lorenzo Ward". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: Deke Adams". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: Kirk Botkin". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: Grady Brown". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: Shawn Elliott". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: G.A. Mangus". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: Joe Robinson". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: Everette Sands". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Bio: Steve Spurrier, Jr". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
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