The 3-2-1: Three key plays, two game balls, one burning question from South Carolina's win over Akron

Three Key Plays

South Carolina led 29-7 going into the fourth, and the game still felt a little dicey. Ashford took care of that with a 36-yard touchdown scamper. He faked the handoff, all the defenders followed the running back, and Ashford zipped around the left side for a 36-yard touchdown. That ended whatever remote hopes Akron had for a comeback and the Gamecocks pulled the starters.

Two Game Balls Robby Ashford Ashford quietly put together a pretty impressive stat line: 15-21 for 243 yards, 16 rushes for 133 yards, and three total touchdowns. It wasn't always the prettiest game for Ashford, but he was plenty effective and avoided turnovers.

Dalevon Campbell Campbell had a 27-yard reception to open the fourth quarter. That set up Ashford's 36-yard touchdown run, but Campbell gets a game ball for chasing down a punt in the third quarter. He managed to knock the football out of bounds at the one instead of it bouncing into the end zone for a touchback. It may not have made a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but hustle plays like that deserve to be recognized.