Reversal of Fortune For USC
posted by Scott Hood on Tuesday, October 16, 2007
1. The Gamecocks were dominated on the stat sheet but still managed to win by a touchdown;
2. The UNC fans applauded their team as the players walked off the field following a loss.
When you glance at the statistics from Saturday’s game, you wonder how the Gamecocks won. UNC had seven more first downs (22-15), 116 more total yards, dominated the time of possession (34:04 to 25:56), and enjoyed a much higher percentage on third down conversions.
For USC, it was a welcome change from the past when USC has dominated opponents statistically but end up losing the game.
One of the best examples is last year’s game against Tennessee, when USC had six more first downs (23-17), 70 more offensive yards (325-395), ran 13 more plays than the Volunteers and controlled the ball about three more minutes.
Yet, Tennessee won, 31-24.
The difference? A long punt return and the Vols were perfect in the red zone. In addition, UT had an interception return for a touchdown, while scoring a TD when the ball deflected off a pair of USC defenders.
In short, Tennessee made the plays and USC didn’t. That’s why the Gamecocks lost.
Looking for another example? Try last year’s Auburn-USC game. Again, USC won the statistical battle but lost the game by a touchdown.
USC had eight more first downs (24-16), 42 more offensive yards, ran 15 more plays than the Tigers, and held the ball for over 30 minutes.
Auburn won, 24-17.
The Tigers were victorious because they made the plays in key situations, knocking down a pass in the end zone on the game’s final play and turning an unexpected onside kick into a touchdown.
The same thing happened in the first half of Saturday’s game. USC put together a pair of TD drives in the first quarter and then ran the 2-minute drill to perfection to score a TD with 15 seconds left in the half.
Five UNC drives ended in USC territory without points in a number of different ways – missed field goal, interception, punt, interception and downs.
So, while the USC defense gave up a pair of touchdowns in the final 16 minutes of the second half, it also made enough plays when it had to win the game.
All three of the aforementioned contests prove one point: the team that compiles the best numbers or plays the best often doesn’t win.
Rather, most games come down to several key moments that help tip the scale in favor of one team or the other.
I have been to every USC road game since the beginning of the 2005 season, and many others before then. It’s definitely the first time I’ve seen the home teams fans give the players a standing ovation after losing to the Gamecocks.
In my opinion, that’s a sign the Tar Heel fans expected to lose the game by a wide margin. When is the last time USC played a road game and the opposing fans inside the stadium expected to lose the game?
Don’t say Vanderbilt. I was there last year, and several occasions previously. Commodore fans have always expected to beat USC.
Last year’s meeting between USC and Vandy in Nashville came the week after Vanderbilt’s huge road upset over Georgia, so the Commodore fans arrived at the stadium stoked for another big win. It didn’t happen.
Of course, it might be different for Tennessee and Florida, but when it comes to the Gamecocks, Vandy fans expect to win. Same thing with Kentucky fans. I don’t think a single Wildcats fan cheered their team after UK fells short after nearly pulling off a miraculous rally. In fact, many left the stadium disappointed.
After watching what happened on Saturday, I’m convinced things are finally changing for the better for USC.
Call it a reversal of fortune.
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There are two things I have taken from the North Carolina game that bode well for South Carolina’s future:
1. The Gamecocks were dominated on the stat sheet but still managed to win by a touchdown;
2. The UNC fans applauded their team as the players walked off the field following a loss.
When you glance at the statistics from Saturday’s game, you wonder how the Gamecocks won. UNC had seven more first downs (22-15), 116 more total yards, dominated the time of possession (34:04 to 25:56), and enjoyed a much higher percentage on third down conversions.
For USC, it was a welcome change from the past when USC has dominated opponents statistically but end up losing the game.
One of the best examples is last year’s game against Tennessee, when USC had six more first downs (23-17), 70 more offensive yards (325-395), ran 13 more plays than the Volunteers and controlled the ball about three more minutes.
Yet, Tennessee won, 31-24.
The difference? A long punt return and the Vols were perfect in the red zone. In addition, UT had an interception return for a touchdown, while scoring a TD when the ball deflected off a pair of USC defenders.
In short, Tennessee made the plays and USC didn’t. That’s why the Gamecocks lost.
Looking for another example? Try last year’s Auburn-USC game. Again, USC won the statistical battle but lost the game by a touchdown.
USC had eight more first downs (24-16), 42 more offensive yards, ran 15 more plays than the Tigers, and held the ball for over 30 minutes.
Auburn won, 24-17.
The Tigers were victorious because they made the plays in key situations, knocking down a pass in the end zone on the game’s final play and turning an unexpected onside kick into a touchdown.
The same thing happened in the first half of Saturday’s game. USC put together a pair of TD drives in the first quarter and then ran the 2-minute drill to perfection to score a TD with 15 seconds left in the half.
Five UNC drives ended in USC territory without points in a number of different ways – missed field goal, interception, punt, interception and downs.
So, while the USC defense gave up a pair of touchdowns in the final 16 minutes of the second half, it also made enough plays when it had to win the game.
All three of the aforementioned contests prove one point: the team that compiles the best numbers or plays the best often doesn’t win.
Rather, most games come down to several key moments that help tip the scale in favor of one team or the other.
I have been to every USC road game since the beginning of the 2005 season, and many others before then. It’s definitely the first time I’ve seen the home teams fans give the players a standing ovation after losing to the Gamecocks.
In my opinion, that’s a sign the Tar Heel fans expected to lose the game by a wide margin. When is the last time USC played a road game and the opposing fans inside the stadium expected to lose the game?
Don’t say Vanderbilt. I was there last year, and several occasions previously. Commodore fans have always expected to beat USC.
Last year’s meeting between USC and Vandy in Nashville came the week after Vanderbilt’s huge road upset over Georgia, so the Commodore fans arrived at the stadium stoked for another big win. It didn’t happen.
Of course, it might be different for Tennessee and Florida, but when it comes to the Gamecocks, Vandy fans expect to win. Same thing with Kentucky fans. I don’t think a single Wildcats fan cheered their team after UK fells short after nearly pulling off a miraculous rally. In fact, many left the stadium disappointed.
After watching what happened on Saturday, I’m convinced things are finally changing for the better for USC.
Call it a reversal of fortune.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.