The 2024 college football season brought another chapter to the storied rivalry between the Wofford Terriers and the South Carolina Gamecocks, with their November 23 matchup at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, ending in a decisive 56-12 victory for the Gamecocks. This game, part of the NCAA regular season, showcased a stark contrast in team dynamics, with the No. 19-ranked Gamecocks (8-3, 5-3 SEC) overpowering the FCS-level Terriers (5-7, 3-5 SoCon). The focus of this article is to delve into the player statistics from this game, highlighting key performances, team strategies, and individual contributions that shaped the outcome. By examining the numbers behind the plays, we gain insight into how South Carolina’s offensive and defensive prowess overwhelmed Wofford, while also acknowledging the Terriers’ moments of resilience. This human-written, informative article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the game’s player stats, offering fans and analysts a detailed perspective on this lopsided contest.
South Carolina’s Offensive Dominance
The Gamecocks’ offense was firing on all cylinders, led by redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers, whose performance was a standout feature of the game. Sellers completed 23 of his 27 pass attempts, amassing 307 passing yards and throwing three touchdowns with only one interception. His completion percentage of 85.2% underscored his precision and growing command of the offense, making him one of the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) most promising young quarterbacks. Sellers targeted nine different receivers, demonstrating South Carolina’s depth at the wide receiver position. Among them, Dalevon Campbell led the way with five receptions for 120 yards, including a critical 58-yard catch that set up a touchdown in the second quarter. Nyck Harbor also made an impact, hauling in a 26-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, while Gage Larvadain added a 13-yard touchdown reception late in the same period. On the ground, Sellers contributed 53 rushing yards on 13 carries, averaging just over 4 yards per attempt, showcasing his dual-threat capability. Senior running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders complemented Sellers’ aerial attack with 72 yards on 15 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown run that opened the scoring for South Carolina in the first quarter. This balanced offensive approach—combining a potent passing game with a steady rushing attack—allowed the Gamecocks to sustain long drives, such as a 17-play, 90-yard march that consumed nearly nine minutes of clock time. The Gamecocks’ ability to distribute the ball effectively and maintain offensive rhythm was a key factor in their 56-point output, with contributions from both starters and backups, including Robby Ashford and Jawarn Howell, who added rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
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Wofford’s Offensive Struggles
In contrast, Wofford’s offense struggled to find its footing against South Carolina’s formidable defense. The Terriers, led by quarterback Amari Odom, managed 219 passing yards—a respectable total for an FCS team facing an SEC opponent—but their overall offensive output was limited. Odom completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Djete in the second quarter, briefly pulling Wofford within five points at 14-9. However, the Terriers’ two-point conversion attempt was intercepted by South Carolina’s Debo Williams, halting their momentum. Wofford’s rushing game, typically a strength for FCS teams employing a triple-option scheme, was stifled, managing only 105.7 yards per game on average this season, one of the lowest in the FCS. Against South Carolina, their ground attack was similarly ineffective, with no individual rusher standing out in the box score. The Terriers’ early success, including a field goal on their opening drive and an interception of Sellers, hinted at potential for an upset, but their offense faltered after the first quarter. Wofford’s 12 points came from two field goals by Devery Cagle (one in the first quarter and a 28-yarder in the fourth) and the aforementioned touchdown. The Terriers’ inability to sustain drives was evident in their third-down conversion rate, which plummeted as the game progressed, and their total offensive yards of 297.5 per game ranked among the lowest in the FCS. Odom’s performance, while showing flashes of promise, was hampered by South Carolina’s defensive pressure, including a sack by Alex Huntley in the third quarter, which forced Wofford into long-yardage situations they couldn’t overcome.
Defensive Standouts and Key Moments
South Carolina’s defense, ranked 16th nationally in total yards allowed (309.3 per game), played a pivotal role in containing Wofford’s offense. Senior EDGE Kyle Kennard was a disruptive force, recording his 11th sack of the season in the first quarter, which ended a Wofford drive and shifted momentum back to the Gamecocks. Debo Williams’ interception of Wofford’s two-point attempt in the second quarter was another critical play, preserving South Carolina’s lead at a moment when the Terriers threatened to close the gap. The Gamecocks’ defense struggled uncharacteristically at times, allowing 219 passing yards and eight plays of over 15 yards, but their ability to force quick three-and-outs and capitalize on Wofford’s mistakes—such as a muffed punt in the fourth quarter—ensured the game remained out of reach. South Carolina’s 19 forced turnovers on the season (16th in the FBS) and +4 turnover margin (35th in the FBS) were evident in their opportunistic play, including the early interception recovery. On the Wofford side, their defense, ranked 25th in the FCS for passing yards allowed (184.7 per game), managed to intercept Sellers early but couldn’t sustain pressure. The Terriers’ defense allowed 387.2 total yards to South Carolina, with 213.7 coming through the air, highlighting their struggle to contain the Gamecocks’ multifaceted attack. A false start penalty that negated a potential Wofford touchdown in the second quarter further compounded their defensive woes, forcing them to settle for a punt and cede control of the game.
Statistical Context and Historical Perspective
The 56-12 final score reflects South Carolina’s dominance, but the stats also tell a story of Wofford’s resilience in moments. Historically, South Carolina leads the all-time series 20-4, with 17 consecutive wins since Wofford’s last victory in 1917. The Gamecocks’ average points per game against Wofford (28.6) and their 100% win probability in recent matchups underscore the talent and resource gap between the FBS and FCS programs. In this game, South Carolina’s 42.5-point favoritism (per FanDuel) and Massey Ratings’ prediction of a 45-0 blowout were nearly spot-on, though Wofford’s 12 points exceeded expectations. The Gamecocks’ penalties (eight for 67 yards) were a minor blemish, as they’ve worked to clean up discipline issues from earlier in the season. Wofford’s offensive output, while limited, showed improvement from their season average of 16.7 points per game (15th-worst in the FCS), suggesting they found some openings against a top-tier defense. The game’s statistical highlights, such as Sellers’ 307 passing yards and Campbell’s 120 receiving yards, align with South Carolina’s season-long trend of explosive plays, averaging 7 yards per play in their last three games. For Wofford, their 219 passing yards were a bright spot, but their 105.7 rushing yards per game and 22.1 points allowed defensively (32nd in the FCS) highlight areas for growth as they aim to rebound from a fifth consecutive losing season.
Implications for Both Teams
For South Carolina, the win solidified their momentum heading into a high-stakes Palmetto Bowl against No. 16 Clemson, with both teams ranked for the first time since 2013. The Gamecocks’ 8-3 record and fifth straight win tied coach Shane Beamer with Steve Spurrier for the most wins (28) in a coach’s first four seasons at South Carolina, a testament to the program’s resurgence. Sellers’ performance further cemented his status as a cornerstone of the program, with his 307-yard, three-touchdown outing drawing comparisons to SEC greats. The depth shown by backups like Ashford and Howell, combined with contributions from seniors like Sanders, positions South Carolina well for a potential College Football Playoff push, especially with chaos in the rankings aiding their case. For Wofford, the loss capped a 5-7 season, marking another challenging year under coach Shawn Watson. Despite flashes of competitiveness, such as their early 3-0 lead and Odom’s touchdown pass, the Terriers face an uphill battle to recapture the consistency of the Mike Ayers era. The program’s 7-15 record over the past two seasons and quarterback injuries have hindered progress, but their ability to generate 219 passing yards against a top-25 defense offers a building block for 2025. Both teams now turn their focus to the offseason, with South Carolina eyeing a bowl game and Wofford aiming to rebuild for Southern Conference contention.
Conclusion
The Wofford Terriers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks football match on November 23, 2024, was a showcase of individual brilliance and team disparities, with player stats painting a vivid picture of the Gamecocks’ dominance. LaNorris Sellers’ 307 passing yards and three touchdowns, paired with Raheim Sanders’ steady rushing, powered South Carolina’s offense, while Kyle Kennard and Debo Williams anchored a defense that, despite lapses, held Wofford to 12 points. The Terriers, led by Amari Odom’s 219 passing yards and Dylan Djete’s touchdown, showed moments of promise but couldn’t match South Carolina’s depth and execution. This game, part of a 20-4 historical series, underscored the gap between FCS and FBS programs while highlighting key performers who shaped the 56-12 outcome. As South Carolina builds toward a potential playoff berth and Wofford looks to regroup, the player stats from this matchup offer valuable insights into their respective trajectories, making it a compelling study for football enthusiasts and analysts alike.
