SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 20, 2012
No. 4 Florida 44, No. 8 South Carolina 11: Jeff Driskel threw a career-high four touchdown passes as the host Gators remained unbeaten with a blowout of the turnover-riddled Gamecocks.
Driskel threw for only 93 yards but matched his entire season total for scoring passes as Florida (7-0, 6-0 SEC) turned three first-half fumbles into touchdowns before taking control in the second half to hand South Carolina (6-2, 4-2) its second straight defeat.
The Gators, who were No. 2 in this past week's initial BCS poll, led 21-6 at halftime despite registering only 29 total yards, but broke the game open by scoring on all first three third-quarter possessions for a commanding 37-8 lead over the Gamecocks and former Florida coach Steve Spurrier.
Driskel had more touchdown passes (three) - including a pair to Jordan Reed - than his team had first downs (two) in the first half as Florida scored on drives on 3, 29 and 1 yard following three fumbles by South Carolina.
Omarius Hines scored on a 6-yard run on the Gators' opening possession of the second half and Florida extended the lead on Caleb Sturgis' 42-yard field goal and Driskel's 6-yard scoring pass to Frankie Hammond.
Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw was 9-of-20 for 72 yards before he was replaced by Dylan Thompson to start the second half.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Florida's Sharrif Floyd blocked a 45-yard field goal attempt in the first half but the Gators also had a 41-yard touchdown catch by Hines negated by a chop-block penalty. ... Gamecocks star RB Marcus Lattimore did not start because of an injury and carried only three times for 13 yards. ... The Gators have been dominant in the second half this season, outscoring opponents 121-28.