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GARCIA AND GAMECOCKS HOLD OFF COMMODORES 14-10

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Stephen Garcia threw two touchdown passes and South Carolina (No. 24 BCS, No. 23 AP) ended Vanderbilt's two-game series win streak -- barely -- with a 14-10 victory Saturday night.

The Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) played as flat as they did the past two years against Vanderbilt (2-6, 0-5). Only thanks to Garcia and his young receivers, this time it didn't cost them the win.

Garcia connected with freshman Alshon Jeffery on a 43-yard TD pass with 12:51 remaining for the winning score. Earlier, freshman D.L. Moore caught a 35-yard touchdown from Garcia.

The Commodores got the ball one last time with 4 minutes left and drove to South Carolina's 25. However, quarterback Larry Smith was called for intentional grounding on 3rd down, then did not get close to the necessary yardage on fourth-and-32.

Steve Spurrier probably won't put this game among his team's top offensive efforts. Still, the head ball coach at least got to walk off a winner unlike the past two games in the series.

Ryan Fowler's 21-yard field goal in the third quarter put the Commodores ahead 10-7 and for a while, it looked like a mix of stellar defense and special teams play would keep them out front.

South Carolina had only one first down on its first three possessions of the third quarter. Vanderbilt punter Brett Upson kept the Gamecocks pinned with boots of 57 yards and 64 yards. Two of his punts were downed at the Gamecock 1.

But after South Carolina's go-ahead touchdown, Vanderbilt's struggling offense could not rebound.

If not for a couple of "wins" on official reviews, the uninspired Gamecocks might have left the field at halftime trailing instead of tied 7-7.

Tailback Kenny Miles appeared to fumble on South Carolina's fourth snap with Vanderbilt's Patrick Benoist grabbing it deep in Gamecocks territory.

But the officials in the replay booth said Miles was down before the ball got away and South Carolina's drive continued.

The Gamecocks finally broke through on Garcia's touchdown pass to Moore, who juggled the ball and didn't look like he had full possession until his right foot stepped on the inbounds line.

Another official review -- and another call for the Gamecocks, who took a 7-0 lead.

That didn't last long, however, as freshman Warren Norman went 99 yards for a touchdown on South Carolina's kickoff to tie things.

Norman became the first-ever Commodore -- Vanderbilt began playing football in 1890 -- with two kickoff return TDs in a season.

There's no telling where Vanderbilt would've been without Norman's run back. The team managed just 112 yards of offense in the opening half. They best series came when they drove 65 yards to South Carolina's 8.

But Fowler missed a 25-yard field goal try.

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