TUSCALOOSA, Ala. --- Mark Ingram rushed for a career-high 246 yards and a game-clinching touchdown, powering No. 2 Alabama to a 20-6 victory over No. 22 South Carolina on Saturday night.
Ingram's tackle-breaking, defender-dragging runs and a punishing defense helped the Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) overcome four turnovers -- doubling their season total.
Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks (5-2, 2-2) had never beaten a team ranked higher than No. 3 and were hoping for their second win over a top-five team this season.
Ingram didn't let it happen. He was practically a one-man show on the decisive drive. He took the direct snap for five consecutive runs -- including a 24-yarder and 22-yarder -- and then took a pitch in from 4 yards out with 4:54 left. Ingram covered all 68 yards on the drive.
His previous career-high was 172 yards set last week against Mississippi, which also didn't manage a touchdown against the Tide.
The game's only other touchdown came from the defense that sacked Stephen Garcia five times and kept him firing blanks into the end zone at the end of promising drives.
Safety Mark Barron stepped in front of Garcia's first pass attempt in the middle of the field and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown.
Garcia wound up 20 of 46 for 214 yards after completing just 4 of 18 passes in the first half. South Carolina managed just 64 yards rushing.
Alabama's Greg McElroy also was shaky against the nation's No. 6 pass defense. His first pass -- and two of his initial four -- were picked off after he had gone 135 consecutive passes without an interception.
He wound up completing half of his 20 attempts for just 92 yards. Ingram made up for it on his 24 rushes and also caught two passes for 23 yards.
Leigh Tiffin kicked field goals of 25 and 35 yards for the Tide, which had 10 penalties for 113 yards.
Comments
The 'Cocks played an excellent defensive game and an improving offensive game, except for Ingram. They had NOTHING for Ingram. 'Bama is a good team without Ingram, but an excellent team with him. It was a fun game to watch. The 'Cocks still have a ways to go to be able to compete with the big boys.
Carolina's defense held Bama's offense in check for most of the game. It was a good game and closer than the score indicates.
So is this another moral victory for the "Cooks"?
i usually poo-poo the notion of "closer than the score indicates," but in this case it's true - if you discount 4 uncharacteristic Bama turnovers, lackluster Bama special teams, Bama missing their best cover/return man, and no Bama passing game to speak of for the 2nd straight game - that SC was in the game for 4 quarters. makes ya wonder what woulda happened if garcia hadn't thrown the pick 6 to start the game...RTR!
All I need to say is....Hey Cocks...Hey Cocks....We just beat the hell outa you, Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer, GIVE EM HELL ALABAMA......ROLL TIDE ROLL.........Amen
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