Gamecocks Hold on to Defeat Dawgs

For the first time since 1996, the Bulldogs have dropped two in a row to start the season.

After last week’s disappointing performance against Boise State, UGA hoped to open SEC play with a win. Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina team ruined those plans with a 45-42 victory at Sanford Stadium.

UGA got on the board first with a 37-yard field goal by Blair Walsh. Walsh added another three in the first quarter to give the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead over the Gamecocks.

South Carolina answered early in the second when Alshon Jefferey scored on a 34-yard pass from Stephen Garcia. Jay Wooten’s extra point placed the Gamecocks ahead 7-6.

A few minutes later, Georgia regained the lead on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Murray to Rantavious Wooten. Walsh’s extra point was good, putting the Dawgs up 13-7. Before the half drew to a close, the lead switched again when a 68-yard touchdown run by Melvin Ingram allowed the Gamecocks to head into the locker room at halftime with a 14-13 lead.

The Dawgs struck first in the third with Murray’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Crowell. Walsh’s extra point was good, putting UGA ahead 20-14.

With 2:39 remaining in the quarter, Garcia ran the ball eight yards to pick up another six for the Gamecocks. After the extra point, South Carolina went up 21-20 for the fifth lead change of the game. The Gamecocks tacked on another six after a 25-yard interception return by Antonio Allen. Wooten was good for another extra point and South Carolina led 28-20 at the end of three.

The Dawgs came out fighting in the fourth, tying the game with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Michael Bennett followed by a two-point conversion. A little over four minutes later, South Carolina broke the tie with a 49-yard field goal by Wooten.

With 6:38 left on the clock, the Bulldogs pulled out in front after Crowell’s 16-yard touchdown run. With the extra point, UGA led 35-31.

The Bulldog faithful had the opportunity to enjoy the lead for about three minutes before South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore rushed into the end zone from three yards out for the seventh and final lead change of the game. Wooten stayed perfect for the day to make the score 38-35 with 3:28 left to play. 

A few seconds later, the Gamecocks picked up another seven after a costly fumble by UGA. Melvin Ingram ran the ball in for six and Wooten kicked the extra point to make the score 45-35 Gamecocks with 3:12 remaining.

UGA fans were leaving the stadium in droves when Murray completed a 33-yard pass to Tavarres King to pull the Bulldogs within three after Walsh’s extra point. The effort was too little, too late though as South Carolina improved to 2-0 making the .

Next week, UGA hosts Coastal Carolina while South Carolina will travel to Columbia to take on Navy.