STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Alshon Jeffrey
caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Connor Shaw with 3:50 left in the
fourth quarter and No. 15 South Carolina rallied to beat Mississippi
State 14-12 on Saturday.
In his third career start, Shaw struggled for much of the afternoon. But
the South Carolina (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) sophomore threw a
perfect pass to Jeffrey, who stretched his 6-foot-4 frame over two
Mississippi State (3-4, 0-4) defenders to give the Gamecocks a 14-10
lead.
Shaw completed 20 of 28 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and two
interceptions.
South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore came into the game averaging an
SEC-best 129.8 rushing yards per game, but managed only 39 yards and a
touchdown against the hard-hitting Bulldogs. He left the game in the
fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury that could make the
Gamecocks' victory a lot less sweet.
Mississippi State was driving late in the game, but Tyler Russell's pass
was intercepted by D.J. Swearinger with 1:45 remaining. From that point,
the Gamecocks were able to run out the clock, with Shaw running out the
back of the end zone on the final play for a Mississippi State safety.
The low scoring was caused by a mix of dominating defense and missed
opportunities on offense.
South Carolina and Mississippi State started inexperienced quarterbacks,
and it showed for much of the afternoon.
The Gamecocks played their first game without senior Stephen Garcia,
whose suspension-riddled career ended abruptly after coach Steve
Spurrier dismissed him from the team earlier in the week. Shaw replaced
Garcia last week before the dismissal, throwing four touchdowns against
Kentucky in a dominating win.
Mississippi State's defense proved a much more difficult challenge.
But he came up big when it mattered, throwing the ball where only
Jeffrey could catch it. The Gamecocks' leading receiver had been quiet
up until that point and finished with five catches for 24 yards.
South Carolina has won six straight against the Bulldogs. Mississippi
State coach Dan Mullen falls to 2-11 against ranked teams in his
three-year tenure.
Mississippi State sophomore Tyler Russell earned his first start at
quarterback, replacing struggling senior Chris Relf. The sophomore threw
a 19-yard touchdown to Chris Smith late in the first quarter to give the
Bulldogs a 7-0 lead. He had some good moments, but struggled with his
accuracy against a swarming South Carolina defense, completing 11 of 29
passes for 165 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
He led the Bulldogs down the field late in the fourth quarter, but his
pass was picked off by Swearinger, a safety who flew across the field.
Swearinger led South Carolina with 12 tackles.
Mississippi State outgained South Carolina 296-289. Vick Ballard rushed
for 67 yards on 20 carries. LaDarius Perkins added 46 rushing yards on
nine carries.
