Aug. 29, 2008

Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery

With the win, South Carolina snapped a five-game losing streak, the program’s longest drought since losing the final five games of the 2002 campaign.

The Gamecocks snapped a four-game losing streak to the Wolfpack. Their last win over NC State was a 23-7 decision in Raleigh on Oct. 29, 1988.

South Carolina scored its ninth-straight season-opening win, giving them a perfect record in season openers since the turn of the century.

The Gamecocks posted their first shutout since Aug. 31, 2006, when they won at Mississippi State 15-0. Tonight’s win was the program’s first shutout of an ACC opponent since a 48-0 win over N.C. State on Oct. 31, 1987.

With 31 points in the second half, the Gamecocks had their highest output in a half since Oct. 8, 2005, when they scored 34 points in the second of a 44-16 win over Kentucky.

The South Carolina defense kept NC State out of the red zone in the game. In fact, the Wolfpack got no closer than the Gamecocks’ 32-yard line. Holding the Wolfpack to just 49 passing yards, the defense turned in the best pass defense in Coach Spurrier’s tenure.

Senior running back Mike Davis posted his fourth career 100-yard game with 101 yards on 14 carries tonight. His 50-yard run in the fourth quarter was the longest of his career, topping his previous high of 37 yards against Arkansas in 2005.

With his 10-yard reception in the first quarter, senior Kenny McKinley tied the school record with his 34th-consecutive game with a reception. Collecting six catches tonight, he now needs just 11 more to break Sterling Sharpe’s school-record of 169 career receptions.

Senior cornerback Carlos Thomas picked up his fourth career interception in the third quarter. It was his first pick since the 2006 season.

Senior Mike Davis’ one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the 17th rushing touchdown of his career, moving him into a tie with Duce Staley for 10th in South Carolina history.

With 10 points tonight (two field goals, four PATs), senior kicker Ryan Succop moved into ninth place in Carolina history with 171 career points.

Junior linebacker Eric Norwood recovered a fumble in the second quarter, his first fumble recovery since picking up two against Kentucky on Oct. 4, 2007, also a Thursday night game on ESPN.

Senior cornerback Stoney Woodson collected his fifth career interception in the fourth quarter.

Junior tailback Taylor Rank scored his first career touchdown with three-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Junior quarterback Tommy Beecher made his first career start as did sophomore running back Patrick DiMarco.