GAMECOCKS WIN AS TIGERS MISS
LAST SECOND FIELD GOAL.
South Carolina 31, Clemson 28
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina and Steve Spurrier finally found a way to beat a ranked opponent and end a four-game losing streak to a state rival.
Mike Davis rushed for two second-half touchdowns and Ryan Succop hit a go-ahead 35-yard field goal as the Gamecocks defeated No. 24 Clemson 31-28 on Saturday.
The Gamecocks (7-5) trailed 28-14 after C.J. Spiller's second touchdown run early in the third quarter and looked like they were about to fall again to Clemson (8-4), as they have so many times in this 104-game series. South Carolina also had dropped its five previous games against ranked Southeastern Conference foes this year.
This time, though, the Gamecocks rallied behind quarterback Blake Mitchell, who shook off three earlier interceptions to lead three scoring drives.
Clemson had a final chance, driving to South Carolina's 22. But Jad Dean missed a 39-yard field goal left with 13 seconds remaining that would have tied the game. Instead, the Gamecocks celebrated their first victory at Death Valley since 1996.
The Tigers opened the year 7-1 and got as high as No. 10 in the polls. But they finished by dropping three of their final four games.
The Gamecocks gained 492 yards, surpassing the previous season high of 332 yards Clemson gave up in a loss to Virginia Tech. Cory Boyd rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown for South Carolina. Sidney Rice caught 8 passes for 103 yards.
Mitchell, who was 23-of-36 for 268 yards, has been solid since returning to his starting job at halftime of a 26-20 loss to Arkansas three weeks ago. But he had three interceptions, two which led to Clemson touchdowns in the first half.
Then, after the Tigers stopped South Carolina on fourth-and-2 on the Gamecocks' first possession of the third quarter, Spiller's second scoring run upped the lead to two touchdowns.
That's when Mitchell dug in.
He completed throws of 9 yards to Freddie Brown, 18 yards to Rice and 18 to Davis to reach Clemson's 1. Davis finished off the series with his first TD.
The Gamecocks recovered tight end Thomas Hunter's fumble moments later at Clemson's 34. Davis capped the three-play drive, leaping over the goal line to complete his 9-yard run.
South Carolina appeared to take the lead less than a minute later when defensive lineman Nathan Pepper picked off Will Proctor and had clear sailing to the end zone. But Pepper, a sophomore, began celebrating before crossing the line and tailback James Davis swept the ball away through the end zone.
The Gamecocks got a favorable replay review on the game-winning drive. One of Mitchell's throws was ruled a lateral and Clemson's C.J. Gaddis pounced on it for a turnover. Replays, though, showed it was an incomplete forward pass and South Carolina marched on.
Three plays later, Succop give South Carolina the lead for the first time with 7:51 to go.
Spiller had an 80-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter, his sixth scoring play of 50 yards or better this season. He ran for 155 yards, coming out on the Tigers' final drive with a sprained ankle.
SPURRIER IS THE ANTI-CURSE
The Chicken Curse reared up its head up several times during the Clemson game.
Nathan Pepper thought he had a sure touchdown only to have James Davis knock
the ball away for a touchback in the 3rd quarter. Also, right before
half-time, the Gamecocks were knocking on Clemson's 10-yard line when
Mitchell's pass was deflected by Gaines Adams right into Jock McKissic's arms
who raced 82 yards for a Tigers touchdown leaving the Gamecocks in
disbelief.
However, Spurrier, the Anti-Curse, and the Gamecocks offense never gave up and
kept pounding the Tigers defense thru the air and on the ground burying the
Chicken Curse in Clemson's back yard. The Gamecocks rolled up 492 yards
against the Tigers, 160 yards more than the previous season high of 332 yards
gave up by the Clemson defense this season against Virginia Tech.
PREVIOUS ARTICLES:
Gamecocks
Bury Commodores 31-13
Gamecocks Hold Off Wildcats 24-17
Gamecocks
Falls short 24-17
Gamecocks Spank Owls 45-6
Gamecocks Hold Off Terriers 27-20
Gamecocks Without Mitchell
The Big Game?
Gamecocks 15 Bulldogs 0
South Carolina Gamecocks VS Mississippi State Bulldogs
