Stephen Garcia might have thrown for three touchdowns, but the true difference for the Gamecocks offense was finally finding a running game.

South Carolina ran for 223 yards against No. 15 Clemson, tied for the second most in Steve Spurrier’s five years with the Gamecocks.

“Coach told us coming into today that we were going to run the ball. He said it could be 30, 40 times, but we had to do it,” Gamecocks receiver Moe Brown said.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney called it the difference in the game, saying no one has run inside like that on his team this season. Only Georgia Tech’s option attack has run for more against Clemson.

Tailback Kenny Miles ran for 114 yards — the best outing for South Carolina this season and only the third 100-yard rusher allowed by Clemson.

The Gamecocks also unveiled their wildcat attack for the first time this season. Freshman cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who played quarterback last season in high school, took snaps and led South Carolina on a touchdown drive.

By halftime Saturday, South Carolina had 131 yards rushing, more than the Gamecocks had in entire games against Bowl Championship Series teams this season.

Garcia said the team wanted to honor the seniors on the offensive line by dominating the ground game in their final home game.

“We just wanted to make a statement,” Garcia said. “Send the seniors out right.”

SICK SPILLER: Clemson C.J. Spiller missed significant playing time Saturday, but it wasn’t his painful turf toe this time.

Spiller said he woke up around 4 a.m. with a stomach bug and felt nauseated throughout the game. The adrenalin of the game didn’t help, even after he returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown after the first kickoff was called back on a South Carolina offsides penalty.

“That first kickoff return, when they called it back, I could taste it,” Spiller said. “I just sucked it up and stayed in there.”

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney kept checking on Spiller throughout the first quarter.