COLUMBIA --- South Carolina's rushing attack was a major cause for concern entering this season.

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Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina

South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore scored two rushing TDs and led the Gamecocks with 54 yards rushing.

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The Gamecocks ranked last in the Southeastern Conference, and 91st in the nation, with an average of 121 rushing yards per game in 2009.

Steve Spurrier might have found the solution with Marcus Lattimore.

The heralded freshman from Byrnes (S.C.) High School scored his first two touchdowns in the first half of Thursday night's game, and he also looked impressive in other facets of the game.

On his first score, Lattimore scrambled in from three yards out. On his second score, Lattimore made a cut back to his left and rushed up the middle to score standing up. He finished with a team-high 54 yards rushing, 36 in the first half, as the Gamecocks rolled up 237 yards on the ground.

Lattimore also hauled in two passes for 22 yards.

In his high school career, Lattimore rushed for 6,375 yards and 104 touchdowns. He earned several accolades, including Mr. Football in South Carolina, and chose South Carolina over Auburn, Penn State and Oregon.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS: Players from the Aiken-Augusta area are scarce on this year's South Carolina roster, but there are two local players: Dalton Wilson of Williston-Elko and Josh Newton of South Aiken.

Wilson is listed as a fullback but sees most of his action on special teams. He redshirted in 2008 and earned a letter in 2009 for his play on special teams. He sat out the spring after undergoing hernia surgery.

Newton is a sophomore placekicker. He is a walk-on who joined the Gamecocks in 2010. He played at South Aiken under former coach Robert Wrightenberry .

LONG PLAY: Ace Sanders ' 53-yard run on a reverse was the longest run by a South Carolina player in nearly four years.

The reverse set up Lattimore's first touchdown of the night and put the Gamecocks ahead 17-3.

Bobby Wallace 's 88-yard run against Middle Tennessee State in 2006 was the previous long run.

NICE DEBUT: Freshman quarterback Connor Shaw 's first play went for a first down.

He then added a 24-yard run for another first down, and he could have had a touchdown pass if he hadn't underthrown to Lattimore as time ran out in the first half.

Shaw, from Flowery Branch, Ga., is expected to see plenty of playing time this year. He entered the game on the Gamecocks' final possession of the first half.