Five key plays

A closer look at five key plays and moments from the Gamecocks' road victory over Vanderbilt on Thursday night.

1. Deebo Samuel's muffed punt

After the Gamecock defense opened the game with a three-and-out, Samuel muffed the punt. The defense held again, but the muff gave the Commodores a short field and they were able to kick a field goal. With offense at a premium, the gifted points were crucial.

2. Brandon McIlwain's fumble

McIlwain gave South Carolina a much needed offensive spark in the second quarter, but it didn't lead to any points. On his second drive, McIlwain took advantage of a short field to get South Carolina inside the red zone. But he fumbled at the end of a five-yard run on third and four. The turnover cost South Carolina a chance for, at worst, a chip-shot field goal.

3. Perry Orth finds Bryan Edwards

On the first drive of the second half, the Gamecocks faced a third and 12. Converting seemed like an impossible task for the ineffective offense. But Orth found Bryan Edwards for a gain of 16. The throw and catch gave South Carolina confidence and opened up the Vanderbilt defense. A 30-yard strike to Samuel later on the drive set up an Elliott Fry field goal to final put points on the scoreboard.

4. Edwards Part II

On the first play of the Gamecocks' first drive of the fourth quarter, Orth hit Edwards for 12 yards on a slant. The gain jump-started the drive, and allowed the Gamecocks to go uptempo for one of the few times in the game. The result was a game-tying nine play, 84-yard drive that took only 3:53 off the clock.

5. Elliott Fry

A 16-yard reception by Edwards and 17-yard run by A.J. Turner set up Fry's career-long 55-yard field goal. Fry's kick was straight down the middle and had plenty of leg. It was a storybook start to Fry's senior season.

ALSO SEE: Discuss the win on The Insiders Forum with other Gamecock fans | Josh Low's analysis of USC's offense, defense, and special teams