The Gamecocks put up the last 13 points of the game to help SC win the first game of coach Will Muschamp’s career at the helm of Carolina and start Vanderbilt’s season off with a 13-10 loss in SEC conference play. The Carolina Crowers opened the season by pecking holes in the Vandy Commodore fleet and sinking them 13-10 while the Jaguars of South Alabama ran past the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter sending the doggies to a 21-20 defeat.
Advertisement
SC only returned nine starters from a 3-9 team, but perhaps Coach Muschamp can infuse some renewed enthusiasm into this program. He got it: a win. The year was 1998 and after opening the season with a pair of strong wins, including a 42-0 conference win at home over Vanderbilt, the Bulldogs entered their first SEC road game of the year at Columbia on the heels of a disappointing 42-23 decision to Oklahoma State.
The challenge this time around for Muschamp and his staff is keeping his team’s edge heading into a more daunting contest.
SC is 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in its last seven games against Mississippi State. And yes, the Gamecocks entered this season without its biggest offensive and defensive playmakers from a year ago receiver Pharoh Cooper now in the National Football League and linebacker Skai Moore injured.
The Gamecocks will have to continue to stick together to have a chance to win.
SC broke onto the scoreboard midway through the third quarter when Fry hit a 48-yard field goal to cut Vandy’s lead to 10-3.
“We worked through third down and red zone this morning”, Muschamp said. “I know I can play”.
So, sit tight, act like you’re doing some work, and plug into your (we hope) favorite Gamecocks podcast as we talk baked goods, Yelp reviews in Starkville, and why Georgia’s guaranteed to go 3-9 this year.
The first game may have clarified the lingering issue at quarterback, too.
Senior quarterback Perry Orth has reclaimed the starting job from freshman Brandon McIlwain, while redshirt freshman A.J. Turner appears to have wrapped up the primary ball-carrying duties. Orth played the entire second half, completing 11 of 14 for 140 yards in the final two quarters in South Carolina’s rally.
“It felt good making plays, but it didn’t boost my confidence”, Orth said. “But Coach has been preaching that we want this one as bad as we wanted the first one and about as bad as (Mississippi State) wants this one. We’re going to go out there and prepare like we did in the offseason and last week and hopefully come out with the W”.
Muschamp said McIlwain remains very much a part of his plans.
The Gamecocks also were inside the Vanderbilt 20-yard line as quarterback Perry Orth took a knee to end the game.
“Both these guys will help us succeed”, Muschamp said.
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen had no specific area to pinpoint for the South Alabama loss.
Advertisement
The Bulldogs scored early and often and would never look back as they cruised to an easy 38-0 victory, the most one sided win by either team in the series. You’ve got to be able to see the fruits of your labor. “The young guys, especially, they need that as much as anything”.
