Aug. 30, 2003
With the win, USC Head Coach Lou Holtz passed Woody Hayes to move to No. 8 on the all-time coaching career victories list with 239. The team, led by the captains, presented Holtz with a game ball following the game in the lockerroom.
Freshman Demetris Summers returned the opening kickoff 25 yards from the goal line, the first time he handled the football as a Gamecock. On the next play, his first rushing attempt, Summers gained 10 yards. His third touch was a 17 yard punt return. Summers had a second punt return of 10 yards in the fourth quarter. For the game he had three rushes for 23 yards.
Freshman Syvelle Newton’s first carry as a Gamecock was a 32 yard gain on a reverse in the fourth quarter
Marcus Lawrence, who joined the Gamecocks this season from Butler County Community College, recovered a Louisiana Lafayette fumble in the first quarter of his first game as a Gamecock. Lawrence also had a nine yard quarterback sack in the fourth quarter.
South Carolina’s first 2003 touchdown came on an eight yard pass from Dondrial Pinkins to Troy Williamson with 10:51 remaining in the first quarter. It was the fifth career TD pass for Pinkins. It was also the fifth career TD reception for Williamson.
Transfer senior Darel Slay recovered a fumble at the USC two yard line to halt a first quarter ULL threat. The fumble was caused by Junior Rodriques Wilson.
The attendance of 82,227 was the fourth largest opening game crowd in Williams-Brice Stadium history. Larger first game crowds were 83,717 vs. New Mexico State last year, 83,019 vs. Boise State in 2001 and 82,605 vs. East Carolina in 1999.
The second quarter interception by Deandre Eiland was the eighth of his career. Eiland had four interceptions in 2000, two in 2001 and one in 2002.
The 89 yard return of a blocked field goal for a touchdown by Patrick Lamy of Louisiana Lafayette on the final play of the first half may have been the longest ever return of a blocked kick against the Gamecocks. The last blocked kick returned for a touchdown against South Carolina was a nine yard return of a blocked punt by Florida in 1996.
The third quarter seven yard scoring run by sophomore Kenny Irons was his second career touchdown. Iron scored last year on a 30 yard pass reception against Mississippi State.
Mikal Goodman caught six passes for 66 yards, a career high. The three catches for 39 yards by tight end Hart Turner were also a career high. Four catches by Troy Williamson equaled his career high accomplished three times last year.
