Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. ó Brian Maddox scored three touchdowns and Jarvis Giles ran 11 times for 113 yards to help South Carolina to a 38-16 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night.
The Gamecocks (2-1) scored on three straight possessions in the second half to turn an uncomfortably close game at half into a rare blowout.
While Giles averaged 10.3 yards a carry and got his first career touchdown, fellow freshman Kenny Miles looked just as impressive, running for 56 yards on five carries in one first quarter series before sitting out the rest of the game with a shoulder injury.
Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith was 21-for-31 for 198 yards.
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier is 37-0 in his career against teams not currently in the Bowl Championship Series. South Carolina has just five days to get ready for No. 5 Mississippi.
One thing Spurrier will likely address is kickoff coverage. The Gamecocks allowed an average of 26 yards on each return, a week after allowing 36 yards on kickoffs.
The Owls (0-2) trailed just 17-16 at halftime, but turned over the ball twice on their first three drives after halftime. Stephon Gilmore picked off Rusty Smith’s pass, and Eric Norwood sacked Smith to force a fumble.
The Gamecocks took advantage of the short field both times.
Gilmore later recovered a fumble as South Carolina forced three turnovers in the second half and stopped Florida Atlantic on a fourth down at the Gamecocks’ five.