COLUMBIA, S.C. — Marshawn Lloyd ran for a career-high 169 yards and three touchdowns as South Carolina scored on its first eight possessions to put away Charlotte 56-20 on Saturday night.
The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Gamecocks (2-2) and was a welcome performance for an offense stuck near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference this season.
Lloyd had scoring runs of 25, 14 and 7 yards, the first two that left fans’ jaws dropped and Charlotte defenders in disbelief.
On the first, Lloyd cleanly hurdled safety Wayne Jones in the open field on the way to the end zone. On his second, Lloyd was stood up for what looked like a short gain before breaking free to put South Carolina ahead 28-14.
Lloyd had some help on the last, converting after Gamecocks linebacker Brad Johnson intercepted Charlotte’s Chris Reynolds deep in 49ers territory. Lloyd calmly found the end zone a final time and finished with South Carolina’s most rushing yards since Kevin Harris gained 182 against UNC in its 38-21 Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory last New Year’s Eve.
Charlotte (1-4) entered with the country’s 30th best passing attack at 289 yards a game and one of the worst rushing defenses (129 out of 131) in the NCAA at 243 yards allowed per game. Both were evident at South Carolina.
The Gamecocks picked up 161 yards on the ground to score on all four of their first half possessions. But the 49ers were largely on target behind Reynolds, converting their first seven third downs and throwing for 132 yards to keep things close at the half, 20-14.
South Carolina finished with a season-best 545 yards of offense.
The Gamecocks’ run of points each series ended when backup quarterback Luke Doty was intercepted by Jones — yes, the one who was hurdled by Lloyd — with 8:22 left in the game.
The 49ers lost both Power Five games they’ve played this season, falling at Maryland 56-21 before the South Carolina blowout. Charlotte does leave with $1.4 million in guarantees for playing at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The 49ers return home to face UTEP on Saturday night.
