Saturday was another disappointing outing in the Bayou for the University of South Carolina.

Defending national champion LSU rolled to a 52-24 victory over the Gamecocks. 

In keeping South Carolina winless in Baton Rouge since 1994 and scoring the most points against a Will Muschamp team in SEC play, the Tigers produced touchdowns in all 3 phases of the game. Freshman quarterback TJ Finney threw for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns in his 1st career start and the rushing game produced 276 yards and 3 scores.

The Tigers’ defense collected 5 sacks and produced an interception return for a touchdown and Trey Palmer had the 1st kickoff return for a touchdown at Death Valley since 1981 to break open the game.  

LSU (2-2) used a run-dominated 16-play scoring drive to open the game. Finney attempted only 3 passes on the drive before crossing the endzone on a 1-yard keeper on his 3rd attempt.

South Carolina (2-2) quickly answered with 2 running plays. After a 30-yard run by Shi Smith on a reserve to the right, Harris took the handoff on the left side and rushed 45 yards for a score to tie the game. 

LSU reclaimed the lead on its next drive with a 27-yard field goal by Cade York. In the 2nd quarter, Finney found a wide open Terrace Marshall Jr. for a 7-yard touchdown to cap a 9-play, 66-yard scoring to make it 17-7 with 11:14 left in the 2nd quarter.

After Parker White missed a 54-yard field goal attempt, Finney threw a 36-yard reception to Jaray Jenkins to the South Carolina 29. Finney’s next pass was intercepted by Isreal Mukuamu who returned the football 51 yards into LSU territory. 

South Carolina settled for a 45-yard field goal by White with 5:28 left in the 2nd quarter. 

Finney and Marshall hooked up again on the next series. This time, Marshall took the short pass from Finney, then managed to stay upright and sprint downfield for a 51-yard touchdown to make it 24-10 with 3:43 left in the 1st half.

Exactly 1 minute later, LSU freshman cornerback Eli Ricks stepped in front of Collin Hill's pass intended for newly-reinstated wide receiver Jalen Brooks at the South Carolina 44 and raced untouched for the touchdown.

Trailing 31-10 at halftime, the Gamecocks had a promising scoring drive to open the 2nd half.  Harris broke free for a 49-yard run to set up a 1-yard run to bring them to within 31-17. He finished with 126 yards on 12 carries and 2 TDs.

The Tigers answered back on the ensuing kickoff. After initially bobbling the football, Trey Palmer gained possession and used his speed to find an opening and dash through the Gamecock special teams for a 95-yard touchdown. 

South Carolina opened its next series with a 63-yard reception by Keveon Mullins. A sack of Hill had the Gamecocks settle for a White, but his 45-yard attempt bounced off the right goalpost for his 3rd miss of the night.

LSU put the game out of reach with a scoring drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Tyrion Davis-Price with 4:12 left in the 3rd quarter.

John Emery Jr. added a 2-yard plunge with 9:44 left to give LSU its biggest lead of the game. 

The Gamecocks put together a final scoring drive as Hill found Josh Vann for a 5-yard touchdown with 7:39 remaining. Hill finished with 234 passing yards. 

South Carolina will have a bye week before returning to action Nov. 7 at home against Texas A&M.