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Recap: Fry's clutch 55-yard field goal gives Muschamp dramatic win in debut

Freshman QB Brandon McIlwain debuted for the Gamecocks Thursday night

The Will Muschamp Era at South Carolina opened in Music City Thursday night as the Gamecocks faced Vanderbilt in the 2016 lidlifter for both teams. The contest was viewed as critical for both teams’ bowl hopes.

USC: 0- 0-3-10 = 13

Vandy 3-7-0-0 = 10

FIRST QUARTER: Muschamp showed a lot of trust in redshirt Fr. RB A.J. Turner in the early going as he touched the ball three times on the first four plays, including a 12-yard completion on third-and-10. However, three penalties doomed the drive and the Gamecocks punted after making one first down. Vanderbilt’s Ralph Webb gained just eight yards on three carries for an encouraging start by the Gamecocks defense. But Deebo Samuel fumbled the punt and Vanderbilt recovered at the USC 30. The USC defense held firm after Vandy penetrated the red zone and the ‘Dores settled for a 36-yard field goal with 6:09 left in first quarter. Webb had just nine yards on his first four carries. After USC went 3-and-out, Vanderbilt drove from its 33 into the red zone for the second time in the final minutes of the first quarter. Webb started finding some running room, ending the first quarter with 39 yards on eight carries. USC had 23 yards in total offense on 9 plays as Vanderbilt dominated TOP (11:11-3:49).

END FIRST QTR: Vanderbilt 3, South Carolina 0.


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SECOND QUARTER: Vanderbilt scored on a short TD run by Khari Blasingam on the third play of the second quarter to take a 10-0 lead with 14:28 left. Heralded freshman QB Brandon McIlwain made his Gamecock debut on USC’s first possession of the second quarter. He ran for eight yards on his play before scrambling to his right to avoid pressure and firing an 11-yard pass on third down to Hayden Hurst for a first down at the VU 46. However, the second set of downs produced two incompletions and a short run as the Gamecocks punted. The USC defense rose up and forced a 3-and-out. The punt was shanked to the left for 21 yards, giving the Gamecocks excellent field position at the VU 36. McIlwain’s first two plays were completions out in the flat to Bryan Edwards, moving the ball to the VU 24. McIlwain made a play with his feet, but then fumbled the ball away as Vandy recovered at the VU 17. Second turnover for the Gamecocks. Wade Freebeck stayed in the game at QB, but the ‘Dores again punted. The final 10 minutes of the second quarter was highlighted (or lowlighted, depending on your perspective) by the Gamecocks failing to take advantage of advantageous field position. USC’s final three possessions started at the VU 36, SC 47 and VU 36. McIlwain led every possession. The last two possessions ended with punts. The Gamecocks amassed 88 total yards on 28 plays in the first half. McIlwain was 5-11 passing for 35 yards and led the Gamecocks in rushing with 29 net yards on seven carries, accounting for 64 yards. Vanderbilt dominated Top (18:43-11:17), but managed just six first downs against the stubborn Gamecocks defense.

HALFTIME: Vanderbilt 10, Gamecocks 0.

THIRD QUARTER: The Gamecocks defense continued their outstanding play by forcing 3-and-out on Vanderbilt’s opening possession of the second half. The teams traded 3-and-outs as the Gamecocks took over at their 22 with 11:03 left in third quarter. The offense finally exhibited signs of life as Orth completed a pair of clutch third down strikes to Edwards (16 yards on 3rd-and-11) and Deebo Samuel (30 yards on 3rd-and-7) as the Gamecocks moved to the VU 30. But the drive stalled and Elliott Fry booted a 48-yard field goal with 6:16 left in the third quarter for USC’s first points of the season. Needing a stop, the Gamecocks defense was carved up by Blasingam on consecutive 13-yard runs as the Commodores moved into USC territory. Again the USC defense stiffened and forced Vandy’s seventh punt of the game. Bryan Edwards made the best catch of the game on a 33-yard grab along the sidelines in front of the USC bench, but the Gamecocks eventually punted. Sean Kelley’s 43-yard punt forced Vandy to start at its 9-yard line.

END THIRD QTR: Vanderbilt 10, Gamecocks 3.

Chris Lammons upends a Vandy ball carrier

FOURTH QUARTER: Vanderbilt drove as far as the SC 48 before punting. When the Gamecocks got the ball back, the Bryan Edwards Show continued as the freshman caught two passes for 12 and nine yards. Orth continued to stay hot by completing passes to K.C. Crosby (nice grab with Vandy defender draped all over him) and Turner (wheel route). Turner’s 20-yard run to the VU 8 positioned the Gamecocks to tie the game. They did exactly that on first down with a fly sweep by Samuel into the left corner of the end zone. Suddenly, the score was tied, 10-10. Vanderbilt drove to the SC 26, but missed a 43-yard field goal attempt. The Gamecocks took over with 3:44 left. Orth continued to sparkle, completing a pass to Edwards for 16 yards. Three straight rushes by Turner gained 21 yards to the VU 36, putting the Gamecocks within Fry’s field goal range. On 3rd-and-6 with 1:24 left, Orth was tackled for a 1-yard loss. That brought on Fry for a 55-yard field goal with 35 seconds left. He boomed the kick through the uprights with plenty to spare, giving the Gamecocks their first lead of the game. Vanderbilt’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete. Gamecocks win!

FINAL: GAMECOCK 13, Vanderbilt 10.

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