Saturday October 20, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The last time South Carolina played at Florida, the Gamecocks celebrated a division title.

Coach Steve Spurrier got doused and carried to midfield. Players hooted and hollered on the sideline, in the locker room and on the flight home.

The Gators remember it vividly.

"That’s a feeling you’ll never forget," safety Josh Evans said.

No doubt, third-ranked Florida (6-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) will use that 36-14 loss as motivation when the ninth-ranked Gamecocks (6-1, 4-1) return to The Swamp on Saturday.

"It’s definitely revenge," Evans said. "It would mean a lot to this team and definitely the roll we’re on this year trying to stay undefeated."

No titles are on the line in this one, but the winner will take command in the Eastern Division. Making it to Atlanta for the SEC championship game is the top goal for both teams, and Saturday’s loser will need help getting there.

South Carolina is coming off its worst game of the season.

Marcus Lattimore was held to 35 yards rushing, Connor Shaw threw two interceptions and the Gamecocks allowed 258 yards rushing in a 23-21 loss at LSU. The Tigers outgained South Carolina 406-211, recorded four sacks and converted 11 of 19 times on third down.

Lattimore, who ran 40 times for a career-high 212 yards and three touchdowns two years ago in Gainesville, has a bruised hip that kept him out of practice

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this week and will keep him out of the starting lineup Saturday. Standout defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has a foot problem that has limited him in practice. Defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles won’t play because of a shoulder injury, and defensive linemen Byron Jerideau and J.T. Surratt have been slowed by sprained ankles.

And a flu bug has worked its way through the team, affecting receivers Ace Sanders and Bruce Ellington.

Florida’s offensive line has been key to the team’s ground attack.

Senior Mike Gillislee is averaging a little more than 102 yards rushing a game. Two weeks ago against LSU, he ran 34 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel is averaging 54 yards a game on the ground and has scored four times. Last week at Vanderbilt, Driskel set a school record for rushing by a quarterback with 177 yards. He had touchdown runs of 13, 37 and 70 yards.

The Gators have the same game plan, even if it’s backup Kenny Miles carrying the ball instead of Lattimore.

Without Lattimore last season, the Gamecocks ran for 215 yards in a 17-12 win against Florida.

Brandon Wilds had 120 yards rushing, and Shaw added 88 yards and two scores on the ground.

South Carolina and Georgia were popular, preseason picks to win the East. Florida has been much more of a surprise in Muschamp’s second season.