Texas A&M runs South Carolina’s defense ragged all night in 52-28 opener

When asked Sunday about his 85-foot-high likeness bannered outside Williams-Brice Stadium, South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier wondered if the mural might get egged.

“And that could happen,” he said.

Thursday might test that. The Gamecocks, preseason ranked No. 9, were dreadful all night on defense and were clobbered by No. 21 Texas A&M 52-28 in a nationally televised season opener.

The loss ended an 18-game home winning streak for South Carolina – the longest such active streak in the country. More importantly, it threw the Gamecocks into a 0-1 hole in the SEC. This was the first football game televised live on the new SEC Network.

With tens of thousands of South Carolina fans already departed, the Aggies finished off the game with the last of numerous long drives. They mercifully ended it at South Carolina’s 2 as time expired.

Quarterback Kenny Hill finished 44-of-60 passing, accounting for 511 of the Aggies’ 680 total yards. He threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Aggies led 31-14 at halftime off a series of deliberate drives. The ongoing theme: South Carolina’s inability to put any pressure on Hill.

By halftime Hill had completed 27-of-35 passes for 299 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Hill took over for former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, now a rookie with the Cleveland Browns.

Hill might not be as spectacular as Manziel, but he was patient and precise in picking out receivers. Ten Aggies caught first-half passes, none longer than 22 yards.

The Gamecocks lost some major talent along the defensive line after last season – most notably Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick to the Houston Texans, but also Kelcy Quarles and Chaz Sutton. It was apparent from this game’s outset that the Gamecocks now have issues with their defensive front seven.

South Carolina got to Hill just once in the first half when Rock Hill’s Gordon G. Dixon sacked him for a 6-yard loss. That led to the Aggies’ only punt of the first half.

The Aggies had first-half scoring drives of 67, 75 and 80 yards, each one lasting nine or more plays. The Gamecocks helped Texas A&M along the way.

For instance a pass-interference penalty against freshman cornerback Al Harris Jr., in the end zone set up the Aggies for a 2-yard touchdown run by Tra Carson with about two minutes left in the half.

That made for the Aggies’ 17-point edge.

South Carolina’s two first-half touchdowns were of the big-gulp variety: Long passes by quarterback Dylan Thompson. In the first quarter, after Texas A&M led 10-0, Thompson found Nick Jones down the middle for a 69-yard touchdown.

Then in the second quarter, trailing 17-7, Thompson found Damiere Byrd for a 46-yard score. It was clear Texas A&M was in a blown coverage on the play, as Byrd caught the pass undefended on his way to the end zone.

South Carolina had another scoring opportunity late in the first half, driving to Texas A&M’s 25. Thompson seemingly had Jones for another touchdown pass, but Aggies defensive back Armani Watts broke up the pass at the goal line with a thundering hit on Jones.

Thompson took an 11-yard sack on the next play and was called for intentional grounding. The Gamecocks sent out Elliott Fry for a 54-yard field-goal attempt that sailed wide with five seconds left before halftime.

The Gamecocks next will host East Carolina on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. before an SEC East match-up with Georgia on Sept. 13.

This story was originally published August 28, 2014 at 9:49 PM.