Recap: Gamecocks one step closer to bowl eligibility, beat Mizzou 31-21

After stunning Tennessee last weekend, South Carolina hosted Missouri Saturday afternoon at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mizzou had yet to win a SEC game this season. How did the Gamecocks fare?

FINAL: South Carolina 31, Missouri 21

MIZ: 0-14-7-0 = 21

USC: 7-14-7-7 = 31

SCORING SUMMARY

1Q – USC, Deebo Samuel 6-yard run (PAT good), 7:25 (7-0)

2Q – MIZ, Damarea Crockett 29-yard run (PAT good), 12:55 (7-7)

2Q – USC, Rico Dowdle 17-yard pass from Bentley (PAT Good), 8:39 (14-7)

2Q – MIZ, Ish Witter 25-yard run (PAT Good), 6:01 (14-14)

2Q – USC, K.C. Crosby 6-yard pass from Bentley (PAT Good), 2:59 (21-14)

3Q – MIZ, Kendall Blanton 9-yard pass from Lock (PAT good), 12:34 (21-21)

3Q – USC, Rico Dowdle 20-yard run (PAT Good), 3:24 (28-21)

4Q – USC, Elliot Fry 24-yard field goal, 7:35 (31-21)

FIRST QUARTER: The Gamecocks went 3-and-out on their first possession. The Missouri returner fumbled the ball, but picked it up and gained five yards on the return. The Tigers picked up one first down and crossed midfield on its first drive, but punted and USC took over its 18. On USC’s second possession, Missouri LB Cale Garett was ejected for targeting on Bentley. However, the Gamecocks punted the ball away when a short pass to Samuel fell two yards short of a first down. Moments later, the Gamecocks defense came up with the first big play of the game when Steven Montac forced a fumble and Chris Lammons fell on the football at the 20. It was USC’s 18th takeaway of the season. The USC offense needed just four plays to score a touchdown. Three carries by Dowdle led to a jet sweep by Samuel around the right side for the 6-yard touchdown with 7:25 left in the 1Q. Bryson Allen-Williams sacked Lock for a 13-yard loss on second down to kill the possession. USC went backwards on their next possession and punted. Mizzou drove into Gamecock territory and gamble don 4th down at the SC 37. Lock had a receiver open for a moment on the left side before Jamarcus King dove in to knock the ball away for another huge defensive play. USC faced fourth down at midfield when the first quarter ended. Two penalties hurt USC on the drive, holding on Bryan Edwards and false start.

END FIRST QTR: South Carolina 7, Missouri 0.

SECOND QUARTER: After the Gamecocks punted on the first play of the second quarter, Missouri needed just seven plays to drive 90 yards for the game-tying TD. The final 2 plays of the drive were a 27-yard slant pass and 29-yard TD run through the middle by Damarea Crockett with 12:55 left in the 2Q. The Gamecocks offense needed to get something going for their first possession of the second quarter. Passes for 14 yards + 29 yards to Hayden Hurst and Bryan Edwards did exactly that. One second down from the MU 19, Bentley attempted a fade pass into the left corner for Crosby, who leaped and appeared to get to get one foot down for the touchdown. The officials ruled initially incomplete, and the call was upheld on review. Second later, Bentley floated a pass into the right corner. The ball deflected off the helmet of the Mizzou defender into the arms of Dowdle for the first receiving touchdown of his career. Gamecocks led, 14-7, with 8:39 left in the second quarter. Cornerback Chris Lammons was ejected for targeting on Mizzou’s ensuing possession, resulting in his ejection for the second straight week. Five plays later, in a virtual replay of Missouri’s first score, Ish Witter ran 25 yards through the middle for the Tigers’ second TD of the game, tying the score at 14-14 with 6:01 left in the 2Q. The Gamecocks responded with three straight big plays – a third down run by Bentley, 12-yard pass to Samuel + 34-yard pass to freshman Chavis Dawkins to the MU 2. On third and goal, Bentley hit Crosby for a touchdown in the middle of the end zone to give USC a 21-14 lead with 2:59 left in the second quarter. Bentley had a narrow window and he fired a laser beam to Crosby, who caught his 4th TD pass of the season. Jonathan Walton and DJ Wonnum combined for a third down sack to end Mizzou’s next possession. USC took over at its 27 and David Williams picked up a key first down on third-and-7 by running for 12 yards. The Gamecocks drained the clock and headed to the locker room with a 7-point lead.

HALFTIME: South Carolina 21, Missouri 14.

THIRD QUARTER: Missouri wasted little time evening the score after taking the second half kickoff. Flashing the up-tempo offense, the Tigers drove 72 yards in just seven plays, scoring on a 9-yard TD pass from Lock to backup TE Kendall Blanton. Deebo Samuel made a leaping 28-yard reception on third down, but the huge play produced no points as Fry missed a 46-yard FG attempt with 9:18 left in third quarter. Missouri drove past midfield and converted a fourth down on a short run. Next snap, Lock lofted a pass down the right side, but Rashad Fenton had great coverage and intercepted the ball at the 2-yard line. After Dowdle ran for 18 yards, Deebo Samuel took over the game with a pair of sensational receptions for 22 and 25 yards, putting him over 100 receiving yards for the afternoon. The 9-play, 98-yard drive ended when Dowdle powered through the middle for a 20-yard TD run, giving USC a 28-21 lead with 3:24 left in third quarter. It was Dowdle’s second TD of the game and his fourth rushing TD of the season. The teams exchanged punts as the third quarter ended. Samuel had 9 receptions for 125 yards with a quarter of football left. Dowdle had 84 yards rushing. Bentley was 22-28 passing for 254 yards.

END THIRD QTR: South Carolina 28, Missouri 21

FOURTH QUARTER: Mizzou drove as far as the SC 26 early in the fourth quarter, the defense stopped the Tigers before they could penetrate the red zone. Missouri attempted a 44-yard field goal, but the kick sailed wide left to preserve USC’s 28-21 lead. Dowdle eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark with back-to-back-to-back runs of 23, 11 and 14 yards to move the ball inside the UM 30. Dowdle was stopped for no gain on third and 1 to bring out Fry for a chip shot 24-yard field goal to give the Gamecocks a 31-21 lead with 7:35 left. Mizzou sped down the field, converting a 3rd-and-20 with a 33-yard pass to the SC 15. Targeting was called on Chris Moody, but the call was reversed. TJ Holloman dropped Crockett for a 3-yard loss on second down and an incomplete pass on third down brought out the FG team. The attempt from 31 yards out was NO GOOD. Holding a 31-21 lead, the Gamecocks took over at its 20 with 4:49 left. Facing fourth-and-inches at the 29-3/4 yard line, the Gamecocks elected to punt. Sean Kelly boomed a 53-yard punt that was fair caught at the UM 22. The Tigers were flagged for block in the back, pushing the ball back to the 12. Missouri moved out to midfield with a 19-yard completion. The Tigers moved inside the 35-yard line with 1:11 left. But Chris Moody intercepted an overthrown pass with seconds remaining to keep the final score at 31-21.