Greetings from Atlanta. Join me tonight for updates throughout the Chick-fil-A Bowl game that matches South Carolina against Florida State. Scroll to the bottom for latest update.
The Gamecocks and Seminoles are both coming off losses in their conference championship games, and a win tonight would make spring drills a bit sweeter for their fans. And the winner gets its 10th win of the season, which is a bigger deal for South Carolina than Florida State since the Gamecocks only have one (1984) in school history.
South Carolina was blown out by Auburn in its only previous visit to Georgia Dome, which came earlier this month.
Florida State isn't Auburn, but Gamecocks won't be overlooking the Seminoles.
Kickoff is about 40 minutes away, so join me for updates.
----
Gamecocks win coin toss and will receive. And the FSU tomahawk chant has begun. You would think this would be more of a home game for South Carolina, but it looks to be about 50-50.
Gamecocks will win if they keep turnovers to one or zero and Marcus Lattimore rushes for 100 yards or better.
When is the last time South Carolina returned a kickoff for a touchdown? Answer to come.
-----
Matthew Thomas, against Virginia, is trivia answer.
Two South Carolina possessions and two turnovers. That doesn't bode well for Gamecocks.
First came on a vicious hit to Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore has a cut to his mouth and his return is uncertain.
After holding FSU to a field goal, South Carolina was moving ball before Stephen Garcia underthrew his receiver and it was picked off.
-------
Florida State 6, South Carolina 0, end of first quarter.
Ugly start for Gamecocks. Three turnovers and fourth possession ended in a Garcia sack.
Lattimore needs to return, and soon.
South Carolina can't fall too far behind. Keeping FSU to field goals is fine, but at some point they'll need to score.
-------
HALFTIME. Florida State 13, South Carolina 3
It's a minor miracle that South Carolina is still in this game.
Four turnovers, no Marcus Lattimore and plenty of wasted opportunities.
Steve Spurrier will have to pull some coaching magic at halftime if the Gamecocks want to hit the 10-win plateau.
QB Stephen Garcia has to wonder he will be yanked in favor of freshman Connor Shaw.
Garcia did lead South Carolina downfield on its final drive of the half, nine plays for 57 yards, and it culminated in a 40-yard FG by Spencer Lanning as time expired.
-----
Official word on Lattimore is that he was taken to hospital and had sutures put in mouth.
And Florida State QB Christian Ponder is out with a concussion.
FSU went down on first possession of second half and kicked field goal to up lead to 16-3.
South Carolina countered with a nice drive, but Alshon Jeffery coughed it up after a catch. That's five turnovers -- two fumbles, three INTs -- for the Gamecocks.
---------
Gamecocks made a nice comeback with two touchdowns, but it's probably out of reach now. Florida State 26, South Carolina 17 with 5:27 to play.
Defense did all it could to keep them in the game for a long time, but gave out on that last drive.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
