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No. 12 South Carolina avoids upset, downs UCF

Sep 28, 2013 - 8:59 PM Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Mike Davis rushed for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the 12th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks roared back to down UCF 28-25 after a dismal first half.

UCF (3-1) took an early 10-0 lead, but conceded 28 straight points in the second half to give South Carolina (3-1) the lead.

Dylan Thompson took over at quarterback for Connor Shaw, who suffered a right shoulder sprain on South Carolina's first drive of the game. Thompson rushed for a touchdown and completed 15-of-32 passes for 261 yards with an interception.

Bruce Ellington led the receiving corps with 88 yards on four receptions.

Blake Bortles threw for 358 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Rannell Hall caught two touchdowns with 142 yards.

Storm Johnson dove into the end zone from a yard out to give UCF an early 7-0 lead. Johnson's run capped off a 75-yard drive that included a 19-yard run from Bortles.

Shaw hurt his shoulder when he landed awkwardly following a fumble. Terrance Plummer hit Shaw to force the fumble while Brandon Alexander recovered it. UCF took over at their own 36.

After an 18-yard completion to Jeff Godfrey, UCF moved up 15 more yards due to a personal foul on Brison Williams. Shawn Moffit drove a field goal through the uprights from 27 yards out to give UCF a 10-0 edge.

South Carolina punter Tyler Hull mismanaged a high snap and only punted the ball four yards to give UCF good field position with under five minutes left in the second quarter. Three plays later, Victor Hampton jumped in front of a receiver to pick off Bortles.

Thompson hit a wide open Ellington for 22 yards to UCF's 28-yard line with 26 seconds left in the half. After two incompletions, a 15-yard penalty took the Gamecocks out of field goal position. Thompson was picked off by Sean Maag to end the half.

Mike Davis broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown run to start off the second half.

On the next Gamecocks' drive, running back Brandon Wilds fumbled after getting tripped up. Clayton Geathers recovered the fumble on South Carolina's 47-yard line. Wilds suffered a left elbow sprain on the play.

Thompson then lobbed the football 38 yards down the field to Damiere Byrd to place the Gamecocks at the UCF 4. After two runs from Davis, Thompson ran the ball into the end zone to give South Carolina the lead.

Next series, UCF tried a trick play but South Carolina sniffed it out and forced another interception. Bortles tossed the ball back to Godfrey, who lobbed the ball across the field setting up an easy pick for Jimmy Legree.

Ellington's 19-yard reception drove South Carolina to the UCF 20. Davis eluded several tackles and carried a UCF defender on his back into the end zone to give the Gamecocks a 21-10 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Bortles fumbled the ball after getting hit on the next drive. The ball popped loose and a diving Gerald Dixon came up with the ball. After four straight touches, Davis ran the ball in from 13 yards out to extend the lead to 28-10.

Hall caught a pass over the middle and took the ball up the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown. J.J. Worton caught the ball in the back of the end zone for a successful two-point conversion cutting the South Carolina lead down to ten points.

After forcing a punt, Worton returned the ball 35 yards to give the Knights good field position at South Carolina's 35-yard line, but Bortles underthrew a receiver and was picked off by T.J. Hollorman.

Turnovers proved to be costly again. Thompson connected with Jerell Adams for 45 yards before Davis fumbled the ball after a hard hit from Michael Easton at UCF's five-yard line. Breshard Perrimen hauled in a catch over the middle for 79 yards to set up a seven-yard touchdown catch by Hall.

UCF attempted the onside kick, but Ellington recovered it to help end the game.

Game Notes

South Carolina extended its streak to 18 straight regular-season wins against non-conference opponents ... South Carolina leads the all-time series 4-0 ... Each team had four turnovers.