Sept. 6, 2003
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FOOTBALL GAME NOTES — SOUTH CAROLINA VS. VIRGINIA — SEPT. 6, 2003
The first quarter 42 yard field goal by Daniel Weaver was his first attempt of the 2003 season. It was one yard shy of his career long of 43 yards. Weaver missed a 41 yard attempt in the third quarter. He has made five of nine from more than 40 yards in his career. Overall Weaver has made 25 field goals in 37 attempts.
The first quarter interception by Lance Laury was the first of his career. Laury is a redshirt sophomore. The third quarter interception by Jeremiah Garrison was the second of his career. Garrison had an interception against Georgia in 2001.
The attendance of 80,150 was the second consecutive crowd in excess of 80,000 this season. Two South Carolina home dates have drawn 162,377 fans, an average of 81,885 per game.
The 99 yard second quarter scoring pass from Dondrail Pinkins to Troy Williamson is a South Carolina school record. The longest previous was 97 yards from Todd Ellis to Robert Brooks against East Carolina in 1988. The 99 yard reception tied the Southeastern Conference record set in 1977 by Chris Collingsworth to Derrick Gaffney of Florida against Rice. It also tied the NCAA record, the 14th time a 99 yard pass play has been completed in NCAA history. Virginia head coach Al Groh was a member of the South Carolina staff in 1988 when the Gamecocks set the previous long completion record of 97 yards.
The Troy Williamson 99 yard reception and run was his second touchdown of the 2003 season. He caught an eight yard pass for South Carolina’s first touchdown in the 14-7 win over Louisiana Lafayette. Williamson caught four touchdown passes last year and has six career TD receptions.
The third quarter fumble recovery at the Virginia 11 yard line by Moe Thompson was the third of Thompson’s career and first this season. The recovery set up a six yard touchdown run by Daccus Turman, the third rushing touchdown of his career and fourth TD overall. Thompson was credited with seven tackles, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in the game.
Daccus Turman rushed for more than 100 yards for the first time in his career. He finished with 18 carries for 123 yards. Turman’s best previous game was 49 yards last year against Louisiana State. It was the first South Carolina triple digit individual rushing game since Corey Jenkins netted 101 yards last year against Georgia.
The six yard run that gave South Carolina a 24-7 fourth quarter lead was the first touchdown of the season by Dondrail Pinkins and his fifth career TD. He scored twice for the Gamecocks in both 2001 and 2002. The Pinkins score completed an 80 yard drive in 13 plays.
The last South Carolina defeat of a nationally ranked team was a 31-28 win over Ohio State in the 2002 Outback Bowl. The last time South Carolina defeated a ranked team at home was a 21-10 win over 12th ranked Georgia in 2000.
Mike Rathe and Bennett Swygert saw their first action at quarterback for the Gamecocks. Swygert scored on a six yard roll out keeper play on the first play after he entered the game to increase the Gamecock lead to 31-7. The TD capped a 12 play 48 yard drive. Rathe is a junior transfer from junior college and Swygert is a redshirt freshman who was injured last year. Rathe rushed twice for five yards. Neither Rathe nor Swygert attempted a pass.
South Carolina’s two true freshman tailbacks combined to rush for 67 yards against Virginia. Demetris Summers gained 42 yards on 11 carries and Cory Boyd had 25 yards on six attempts, mostly in the final touchdown drive. hn
