Sept. 24, 2005

GAME NOTES — SOUTH CAROLINA VS. TROY– 9/24/05

The first quarter fumble recovery by sophomore Chris Hampton was the first of his career. It was also the first opponents’ fumble recovered by South Carolina this season.

After failing to recover an opponents’ fumble in the first three games South Carolina recovered four Troy fumbles. The Gamecocks also had one interception for five total turnovers. The Gamecocks did not turn the football over against Troy.

The 35 yard touchdown reception by Syvelle Newton in the first quarter was the second scoring reception this season by Newton. It climaxed an 89 yard Gamecock drive in four plays, one minute and 49 seconds.

The first quarter interception by Fred Bennett at the Gamecock three yard line was Bennett’s second interception of the season. It was the sixth career interception for Bennett, a junior.

The first quarter 13 yard reception by redshirt junior tight end Carson Askins was the first pass reception of his career.

The first quarter touchdown reception by freshman Sidney Rice marked the third consecutive game in which Rice has caught a touchdown pass. The Rice TD climaxed a 97 yard drive in 12 plays.

Two first quarter scoring passes by Blake Mitchell were the sixth and seventh TD passes that Mitchell has thrown this season. Mitchell left the game late in the third quarter with a sprained left ankle. X-rays were negative. Before the injury he had completed 11 of 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Outside linebacker Mike West achieved his first career sack late in the first quarter. West is a junior college transfer.

Redshirt sophomore Ryan Brown achieved his first career sack in the second quarter.

Freshman Dakota Walker, playing in his first game, recovered a Troy fumble in the second quarter. After the Walker recovery redshirt freshman quarterback Antonio Heffner scored his first career touchdown from the one yard line. Walker registered his first career sack on the last play of the game.

Leodis McKelvin returned a kickoff 100 yards for a Troy touchdown. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown by Troy since moving to Division 1A. It tied the official NCAA record for longest touchdown return, as well as the longest ever kickoff return against South Carolina. The last previous kickoff return for a TD against South Carolina was 44 yards on an onside kick by Bret Smith of Tennessee last year.

Carlos Thomas returned the kickoff after Troy’s second quarter touchdown 79 yards to the Troy 21 yard line.

The 32 yard second quarter field goal by Josh Brown was the third this season in three tries for Brown. For his career Brown has 13 field goals in 18 attempts.

Sophomore Ko Simpson recovered a Troy fumble in the third quarter, his fourth career recovery and first of this season.

Brandon Isaac returned a Troy fumble 11 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. It was the first fumble recovery for Isaac, a junior college transfer, and South Carolina’s first fumble recovery for a touchdown since Ko Simpson returned one 57 yards last year against Arkansas.

The nine yard third quarter touchdown run by Daccus Turman was his first of the year and 11th rushing touchdown of his career. Turman’s last previous rushing touchdown came last year against Arkansas.

Redshirt senior Michael Flint caught a 43 yard fourth quarter pass for his first career touchdown. The pass was the first career TD pass thrown by quarterback Antonio Heffner.

Heffner, in his first extensive action this season, completed six of nine for 91 yards and one touchdown. He rushed seven times for 45 yards and one touchdown.

South Carolina scored 40 points or more for the first time since Nov. 1, 2003 when the Gamecocks lost to Mississippi 40-43. The last time South Carolina topped 40 points in a win was 42-21 against Temple Sept. 21, 2002.

The announced attendance of 79,125 increased the three game home attendance for 2005 to 244,846, an average of 81,615 per game.

Tim Frisby, South Carolina’s 40 year old Army veteran sophomore wide receiver caught a nine yard pass in the fourth quarter, his first career reception.

South Carolina controlled the football for 31:47, the first time the Gamecocks have won the time of possession battle since last year’s Florida game, the 10th game of 2004.

Freshman tailback Mike Davis rushed 19 times for 79 yards, a 4.1 average, his best rushing game to date.

South Carolina scored at least one touchdown in each of the four quarters against Troy. The Gamecock line was 14-10-14-7–45.