No. 17 Gamecocks have huge first half in victory over Troy

South Carolina needed less than a half to put to rest any worries that it would follow it's latest big win with another unbelievable letdown.
Marcus Lattimore had three touchdowns and 102 yards rushing by halftime to lead the 17th-ranked Gamecocks to a 69-24 victory, its biggest point total under Steve Spurrier and the most it has scored in 15 years.
"We knew we had to come out and play and we did that," Lattimore said.
A month ago, the Gamecocks were the talk of college football after stunning then top-ranked Alabama 35-21. They were the sport's main topic a week later, too, when they blew a 28-10 halftime lead to lose at Kentucky.
Before Saturday's game many at Williams-Brice Stadium wondered, would the SEC East champions lay another egg against Troy?
"Yeah, that's what we talked about all week," Lattimore said. "Just show our fans we can play two games straight because we didn't do that last time."
There's likely little chance of letdowns ahead for South Carolina, who face bitter rival Clemson next Saturday and then No. 2 Auburn in the SEC title game on Dec. 4.
"I feel like our guys will be ready to give it their best shot. That's all we can ask of them," Spurrier said. "It's a lot more fun when there's a lot on the line."
The Gamecocks (8-3) clinched a spot in the title game with last week's 36-14 victory at Florida, the program's first win in Gainesville, Fla., in 13 tries.