The 2012 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Gamecocks were led by eighth-year head coach Steve Spurrier and played their home games at Williams–Brice Stadium . They were a member of the East Division of the Southeastern Conference . The season finished with 11–2, 6–2 in SEC to finish in third place in the East Division.
South Carolina started the season 6–0, capped off by a blowout win over No. 5 Georgia at home.[ 1] last season and were subsequently ranked No. 3 in the country.[ 1] [ 2] 1984 ,[ 3] [ 2] [ 3] LSU and No. 3 Florida ) sent South Carolina plummeting in the rankings and out of national championship contention.[ 1] archrival No. 12 Clemson .[ 1] Outback Bowl , where the Gamecocks defeated No. 19 Michigan 33–28 by a game-winning touchdown with eleven seconds remaining in the game.[ 4] [ 5]
Sophomore defensive end Jadeveon Clowney emerged as the best defensive player in college football.[ 6] sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss, both school records.[ 7] Ted Hendricks Award and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.[ 8] [ 9] unanimous All-American , only the second in program history.[ 7] ESPY Award for best play of the sporting year for his Outback Bowl tackle on Michigan running back Vincent Smith ,[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
Due to their talent, win total, iconic moments, only losses coming against top-10 teams, wins over three ranked teams, dominant win over a top-5 team, and thirteenth-ranked defense, the 2012 Gamecocks have often been considered the greatest team in program history.[ 14] [ 15] [ 16]
On April 14, 2012, the Black squad defeated the Garnet squad, 38–24, in the annual Garnet & Black Spring Game, in front of a crowd of 34,513. Quarterback Connor Shaw finished the day 6–7 for 128 yards and two touchdowns for the Black team, while Garnet QB Dylan Thompson was 15–20 for 168 yards and a rushing touchdown.[ 17]
The October 6 game against Georgia played host to ESPN's College GameDay , the school's sixth time hosting the popular ESPN show.[ 18]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance August 30 7:00 pm at Vanderbilt No. 9 ESPN W 17–1338,393 September 8 12:21 pm East Carolina * No. 9 SECN W 48–1077,006 September 15 7:00 pm UAB * No. 8 Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC SECRN W 49–677,963 September 22 3:30 pm Missouri No. 7 Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC CBS W 31–1080,836 September 29 7:00 pm at Kentucky No. 6 ESPN2 W 38–1749,810 October 6 7:00 pm No. 5 Georgia No. 6 ESPN W 35–785,199‡ October 13 8:00 pm at No. 9 LSU No. 3 ESPN L 21–23 ‡92,734 October 20 3:30 pm at No. 3 Florida No. 9 CBS L 11–4490,833 October 27 12:00 pm Tennessee No. 17 Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC (rivalry ) ESPN W 38–3580,250 November 10 12:00 pm Arkansas No. 12 Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC CBS W 38–2078,772 November 17 1:00 pm Wofford * No. 12 Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC PPV W 24–779,982 November 24 7:00 pm at No. 12 Clemson * No. 13 ESPN W 27–1784,513 January 1 1:00 pm vs. No. 19 Michigan * No. 11 ESPN W 33–2854,527
[ 19]
‡ New Williams–Brice Stadium Attendance Record ‡ As part of their penalty for NCAA violations, LSU has retroactively vacated its 2012 victory over South Carolina. However, the penalty to vacate victories does not result in a loss (or forfeiture) of the affected game or award a victory to the opponent, therefore South Carolina still considers the game a loss in their official records.[ 20]
1
2 3 4 Total
• #9 South Carolina
7
3 0 7
17
Vanderbilt
0
10 3 0
13
Date: August 30Location: Nashville, TennesseeGame start: 6:01 pm Elapsed time: 3:15Game attendance: 38,393Game weather: 86, Partly CloudyReferee: Matt AustinTV announcers (ESPN): Rece Davis (play-by-play), David Pollack and Jesse Palmer (color), Samantha Steele (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
East Carolina
0
0 3 7
10
• #9 South Carolina
14
7 14 13
48
Date: September 8Location: Columbia, South CarolinaGame start: 12:21 pm Elapsed time: 3:19Game attendance: 77,006Game weather: 88, SunnyReferee: Wayne WinklerTV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
UAB
3
3 0 0
6
• #8 South Carolina
7
14 14 14
49
Date: September 15Location: Columbia, South CarolinaGame start: 7:08 pm Elapsed time: 3:22Game attendance: 77,963Game weather: 84, FairReferee: Ken WilliamsonTelevision network: FSN
1
2 3 4 Total
Missouri
0
3 0 7
10
• #7 South Carolina
0
21 7 3
31
Date: September 22Location: Columbia, South CarolinaGame start: 3:39 pm Elapsed time: 3:02Game attendance: 80,836Game weather: 88, FairReferee: Matt LoefflerTV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Tracy Wolfson (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
• #6 South Carolina
0
7 14 17
38
Kentucky
3
14 0 0
17
Date: September 29Location: Lexington, KentuckyGame start: 7:10 pm Elapsed time: 3:08Game attendance: 49,810Game weather: 70, FairReferee: Tom RitterTV announcers (ESPN2): Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (color), Jeannine Edwards (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
#5 Georgia
0
0 0 7
7
• #6 South Carolina
21
0 7 7
35
Date: October 6Location: Columbia, South CarolinaGame start: 7:10 pm Elapsed time: 3:13Game attendance: 85,199Game weather: 78, ClearReferee: Matt AustinTV announcers (ESPN): Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (color), Heather Cox (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
#3 South Carolina
0
7 7 7
21
• #9 LSU
3
0 7 13
23
Date: October 13Location: Baton Rouge, LouisianaGame start: 7:06 pm Elapsed time: 3:27Game attendance: 92,734Game weather: 79 DegreesReferee: Hubert OwensTV announcers (ESPN): Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (color), Heather Cox (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
#9 South Carolina
3
3 2 3
11
• #3 Florida
7
14 16 7
44
Date: October 20Location: Gainesville, FloridaGame start: 3:39 pm Elapsed time: 3:22Game attendance: 90,833Game weather: 79, SunnyReferee: Matt LoefflerTV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Tracy Wolfson (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
Tennessee
7
7 7 14
35
• #17 South Carolina
7
21 7 3
38
Date: October 27Location: Columbia, South CarolinaGame start: 12:01 pm Elapsed time: 3:34Game attendance: 80,250TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color), Jenn Brown (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
Arkansas
0
10 3 7
20
• #12 South Carolina
7
14 17 0
38
Date: November 10Location: Columbia, South CarolinaGame start: 12:10 pm Elapsed time: 3:26Game attendance: 78,772TV announcers (CBS): Tim Brando (play-by-play), Steve Beuerlein (color), Marty Snider (sideline)
1
2 3 4 Total
Wofford
0
7 0 0
7
• #12 South Carolina
0
7 0 17
24
Date: November 17Location: Columbia, South CarolinaGame start: 1:05 pm Elapsed time: 2:44Game attendance: 79,982Television network: PPV
Game Twelve– No. 12 South Carolina Gamecocks (9-2) at No. 11 Clemson Tigers (10-1) – Game summary
Quarter
Total
No. 12 South Carolina 7
3
10 7 27
No. 11 Clemson
14
0
3 0 17
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, South Carolina
Date : Saturday, November 24, 2012Game time : 7:00 p.m. EST Game weather : Temperature: • Wind: • Weather: ClearGame attendance : 82,000TV : ESPN
Game information
First quarter (5:27) CLEM – Tajh Boyd 3-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick) (Drive: 16 plays, 85 yards, 6:14; Clemson 7-0 )
(1:46) SC – Bruce Ellington 13-yard pass from Dylan Thompson (Adam Yates kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 3:41; Tied 7-7 )
(1:22) CLEM – DeAndre Hopkins 43-yard pass from Tajh Boyd (Chandler Catanzaro kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:24; Clemson 14-7 ) Second quarter (2:40) SC – Adam Yates 27-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 6:14; Clemson 14-10 ) Third quarter (11:48) SC – Ace Sanders 34-yard pass from Dylan Thompson (Adam Yates kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 3:12; South Carolina 17-14 )
(6:56) SC – Adam Yates 43-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:08; South Carolina 20-14 )
(5:07) CLEM – Chandler Catanzaro 37-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 1:49; South Carolina 20-17 ) Fourth quarter (4:17) SC – Bruce Ellington 6-yard pass from Dylan Thompson (Adam Yates kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 7:39; South Carolina 27-17 )
Statistics
SC
CLEM
First downs
26
18
Total yards
86–444
59–328
Rushing yards
45–134
35–145
Passing yards
310
183
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
23–41–1
11–24–2
Time of possession
39:34
20:02
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Carolina Passing
Dylan Thompson
23/41, 310 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing
Kenny Miles
16 carries, 45 yards
Receiving
Ace Sanders
6 receptions, 119 yards, TD
Clemson Passing
Tajh Boyd
11/24, 183 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Andre Ellington 15 carries, 72 yards
Receiving
Jaron Brown 3 receptions, 68 yards
1
2 3 4 Total
• #11 South Carolina
14
7 0 12
33
#19 Michigan
3
10 9 6
28
Date: January 1, 2013Location: Tampa, FloridaGame start: 1:00 pm Elapsed time: 3:45Game attendance: 54,527Referee: Jeff Maconaghy (Big East)TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Jon Gruden (color), Shannon Spake (sideline)
Projected starters and primary backups versus Clemson on November 24, 2012.
Defense
WLB
MLB
SLB
⋅
Reginald Bowens
⋅
Quin Smith
Damario Jeffery
⋅
SS
Brison Williams
Jared Shaw
Offense
Key reserves
RB Mike Davis
WR D.L. Moore
WR DeAngelo Smith
WR Shaq Roland
WR K.J. Brent
TE Jerell Adams
DE Gerald Dixon
LB Cedrick Cooper
FB
Qua Gilchrist
Connor McLaurin
Jadeveon Clowney – SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, 9/17/12;[ 21] [ 22] [ 23] T.J. Johnson - SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, 10/8/12[ 24]
Marcus Lattimore – SEC Offensive Player of the Week, 9/3/12[ 25] Ace Sanders - SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week, 9/24/12,[ 26] [ 24] Connor Shaw - SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, 9/24/12,[ 26] [ 27] D. J. Swearinger - Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, 11/11/12[ 28]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP 9 9 8 7 6 6 3 9 17 11 12 12 13 11 11 8 Coaches 9 9 9 8 6 6 3 8 16 11 11 11 12 10 10 7 Harris Not released 3 7 16 11 11 11 12 10 10 Not released BCS Not released 7 13 8 8 9 12 10 10 Not released
Steve Spurrier – Head coach[ 29] Lorenzo Ward – Defensive coordinator[ 30]
Kirk Botkin - Linebackers, spurs coach[ 31] Grady Brown - Secondary coach, assistant special teams coordinator[ 32]
Shawn Elliott – Co-offensive coordinator, offensive line coach[ 33] Brad Lawing – Defensive line coach[ 34]
G. A. Mangus – Quarterbacks coach[ 35] Joe Robinson - Special teams coordinator, tight ends coach[ 36]
Everette Sands - Running backs coach[ 37]
Steve Spurrier Jr. – Recruiting coordinator, wide receivers coach[ 38]
^ a b c d "2012 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results" . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . Retrieved September 30, 2024 .^ a b Gillespie, Bob (October 9, 2012). "1984 team, 2012 Gamecocks have a lot in common" . The State . Retrieved September 30, 2024 . ^ a b "South Carolina Gamecocks Poll History" . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . Retrieved September 30, 2024 .^ "South Carolina 33-28 Michigan (Jan 1, 2013) Game Recap" . ESPN . Retrieved September 30, 2024 .^ "South Carolina Gamecocks College Football History, Stats, Records" . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . Retrieved September 30, 2024 .^ "Ask 5: Is Clowney top defensive prospect in last decade?" . NFL.com . Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ a b "Jadeveon Clowney" . University of South Carolina Athletics . June 22, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2024 .^ "South Carolina's Clowney wins Hendricks Award" . wltx.com . December 5, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ "Low: Clowney has lived up to the hype" . ESPN.com . December 31, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ "The Hit lives on: Clowney wins ESPY for play of the year" . The State . July 17, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ "Jadeveon Clowney wins ESPY for 'Best Play' . wistv.com . July 18, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ Kirshner, Alex (January 8, 2020). "84 plays that defined 2010s college football" . Banner Society . Retrieved October 2, 2024 . ^ "The top 10 defensive college football plays of all time - ESPN Video" . ESPN.com . October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ "Ranking the top 10 Gamecock teams of all time" . The State . January 9, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ "South Carolina Football's GOAT Series: Top-10 greatest Gamecock football seasons of all-time" . Garnet and Cocky . May 12, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ "5 best seasons in South Carolina history" . Saturday Down South . May 11, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2024 .^ Black Defeats Garnet in Spring Game ^ ESPN's GameDay is Coming To Our City ^ SEC 2012 TV Schedule Archived July 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , Matt Sarz Sports, retrieved April 12, 2012^ Low, Chris (June 16, 2009). "What does vacating wins really mean?" . ESPN.com . Retrieved March 7, 2012 . ^ Clowney Named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week ^ Clowney Honored by SEC ^ Clowney Honored by SEC ^ a b Johnson and Sanders Honored by SEC ^ "Lattimore Named SEC Offensive Player of the Week" . Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012 .^ a b Shaw and Sanders Receive SEC Honors ^ Shaw Named SEC Offensive Player of the Week ^ Swearinger Named National Defensive Player of the Week ^ "Bio: Steve Spurrier" . Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2012 .^ "Bio: Lorenzo Ward" . Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2012 .^ Bio: Kirk Botkin ^ Bio: Grady Brown ^ Bio: Shawn Elliott ^ "Bio: Brad Lawing" . Archived from the original on December 25, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2012 .^ "Bio: G.A. Mangus" . Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2012 .^ Bio: Joe Robinson ^ Bio: Everette Sands ^ "Bio: Steve Spurrier, Jr" . Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2012 .
