Florida showed South Carolina just where it stands on the SEC food chain. The Gators chomped, chewed and spit the Gamecocks out, prevailing 56-6 Saturday.

It was a humbling loss for South Carolina, which was playing its best football of the season heading into the game.

"A loss is a loss, whether it's by one point or 50 points," coach Steve Spurrier said. "Sometimes getting your butt beat real good is better than a one-pointer or two-pointer. We'll find out when we play Clemson in a few weeks whether we can regroup or not."

Florida pounced on South Carolina early, scoring a defensive touchdown and recovering a botched throwback on a kickoff return at the Gamecocks 1-yard line.

Before South Carolina could even look up, it was 28-0 Gators with more than 11 minutes to play in the first half.

"We got clobbered," Spurrier said. "I don't know what we could have done differently except try to keep things close."

After missing postseason play last year, the Gamecocks (7-4, 4-4) are assured of a bowl berth this season. But they did little to impress the bowl representatives who were on hand Saturday.

Luckily, South Carolina will have one more chance to enhance its bowl resume in two weeks, when it concludes the regular season against its instate rival.

SEASON RECAP

South Carolina 34, N.C. State 0: Under new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, the Gamecocks limited the Wolfpack to 138 yards in pitching a shutout. First-time starter Tommy Beecher threw four interceptions and left near the end of the third quarter after taking a big hit. Replacement Chris Smelley led three touchdown drives to blow the game open.

Vanderbilt 24, South Carolina 17: The Gamecocks gave up 21 second-half points and fell to the Commodores for the second straight year. QB Chris Smelley threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns, but also was picked off twice. Star receiver Kenny McKinley missed the final three quarters with a pulled hamstring.

Georgia 14, South Carolina 7: The Gamecocks controlled Georgia's high-powered offense, but two fourth-quarter turnovers spoiled their chance to upset the nation's No. 2 team. Mike Davis fumbled while diving for the end zone, and Chris Smelley was picked off on the Gamecocks' final drive. With Kenny McKinley injured, Moe Brown set career highs with seven catches for 130 yards.

South Carolina 23, Wofford 13: Chris Smelley threw one touchdown and two interceptions and the Gamecocks hung on to beat I-AA Wofford. The desultory home win wasn't secure until Smelley hit Dion LeCorn for a 17-yard score with 1:58 left. The Gamecocks again missed the services of star wideout Kenny McKinley.

South Carolina 26, UAB 13: Redshirt freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia got his first substantial playing time, and he used his mobility to lift the moribund Gamecocks offense. Ryan Succop nailed four field goals, and Garcia kept drives alive by running for 86 yards on 18 carries. The defense held the Blazers to just 207 total yards.

South Carolina 31, Ole Miss 24: Sophomore Chris Smelley threw for a career-high 327 yards and three touchdowns as the Gamecocks (4-2, 1-2) earned a much-needed SEC win in Oxford. After being shredded in the first half, South Carolina's defense buckled down and allowed only a field goal the rest of the way. Cornerback Carlos Thomas' interception with a minute left sealed the victory.

South Carolina 24, Kentucky 17: Redshirt freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia came off the bench to lead two scoring drives, capping the second with the game-winning touchdown pass to Weslye Saunders midway through the fourth quarter. Garcia's heroics enabled the Gamecocks (5-2, 2-2) to overcome four missed field goals by Ryan Succop and four first-half turnovers. It was South Carolina's ninth straight win over the Wildcats.

LSU 24, South Carolina 17: The Gamecocks could not protect quarterback Stephen Garcia, who was making his first start, and as a result they could not protect the lead. No. 13 LSU overcame a 17-10 halftime deficit as the Tigers sacked Garcia six times and picked him off with just under four minutes left. The Gamecocks' defense played well for most of the game, but wore down late as the offense could not sustain drives.

South Carolina 27, Tennessee 6: Stephen Garcia threw two touchdown passes before leaving with a knee injury, and the Volunteers were held under 10 points for the third time this season. The Gamecocks (6-3, 3-3) are bowl eligible for the fourth straight year under Steve Spurrier. South Carolina turned three Tennessee turnovers into 17 points as the Gamecocks beat the Vols in Columbia for the first time since 1992.

South Carolina 34, Arkansas 21: The Gamecocks won their fourth SEC game in the last five tries as coach Steve Spurrier deftly alternated quarterbacks Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia. Smelley hit Jared Cook for a 66-yard touchdown, and Garcia ran for a 14-yard score. The Gamecocks sacked Casey Dick six times and intercepted him three times.

Florida 56, South Carolina 6: The Gamecocks entered the Swamp on a roll after four straight wins. They left humbled after a thorough beating from the Gators. Florida jumped out a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter and was never threatened.

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