You couldn’t ask for a better start on the road when you’re in South Carolina. The Gamecocks came in with a clear defensive game plan and have executed it to perfection so far in this game.

South Carolina’s stout defense would force three turnovers on the first three Oklahoma Sooners drives, returning two turnovers for touchdowns. The defensive line has remained dominant and forced the Sooners into serious mistakes. Below is how the sequence played out.

South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori caused the game’s first turnover by undercutting a route after Kyle Kennard Michael Hawkins Jr. had forced Oklahoma to make a bad throw. On the next drive, Demetrius Knight Jr. came up with a sack and forced a fumble that was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Tonka Hemingway. Subsequently, Hawkins Jr. hit as he threw on the third drive and the ball was cleared and returned for a touchdown by Nick Emmanwori.

Heading into the second quarter, Shane Beamer told ESPN’s Alyssa Lang that the team’s plan was not just to win the turnover battle, but to “dominate the turnover battle.” So far in the first half, the Gamecocks are winning that battle 3-0.

Demetrius Knight Jr. having a career day in the first half. So far, he has forced two fumbles, one of which he recovered and returned for a Hemingway touchdown, and a fourth down conversion.

The Gamecocks finished the first half with five sacks. The defense was able to limit the Sooners offense to the following sequence on 9 drives in the first half: interception, fumble, interception, punt, punt, downs, punt, field goal, punt.

Offensively, the Gamecocks found rhythm in both the run and pass. Sellers was able to escape the pocket by making big runs and hitting open shots downfield. Although it was a slow start, the South Carolina offense finished the half strong. After electing to delay the opening kickoff, the Gamecocks get the ball first in the second half.

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