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THUMBS UP
Reverse PAT
USC stole the momentum of Nebraska’s first touchdown when senior tackle Travian Robertson blocked the Cornhuskers’ extra-point attempt and junior cornerback Stephon Gilmore — who also had an interception later in the game — returned it for two points to make the score 6-2 instead of 7-0.
Alshon Jeffery
The junior receiver won the MVP award despite being ejected late in the third quarter for fighting. He set the career school record for 100-yard receiving games with 12 by catching four passes for 148 yards, including the 51-yard desperation pass to end the first half that gave the Gamecocks a lead they would not relinquish.
The defense
After Nebraska scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, the USC defensive unit kept the Cornhuskers off the scoreboard the rest of the day thanks in part to a season-best six sacks. The Gamecocks limited them to 64 total yards in the second half and 253 on the day. The defensive stop on Nebraska’s first series of the second half — when the Cornhuskers reached the USC 8 yard line but did not score — proved to be decisive.
Kenny Miles
The junior tailback played well in his first start of the season by gaining 67 yards on 15 carries. More importantly, he scored the two fourth-quarter touchdowns — on a 9-yard reception and a 3-yard run — that allowed the Gamecocks to put the game away. Those were his first two touchdowns of the season.
THUMBS DOWN
The fight
Jeffery’s ejection was the only down note of the day. The scuffle with Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, who also was told to leave, kept Jeffery from having a shot at breaking the SEC record for career reception yardage.
Neil White
