Sept. 4, 2008

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — No. 24 South Carolina’s fourth quarter comeback effort Thursday against Vanderbilt fell short and the Gamecocks fell 24-17.

South Carolina (1-1) extended its streak of quarters without yielding a point to five by keeping Vanderbilt (2-0) scoreless in the first. The Commodores’ third quarter touchdown on a Chris Nickson pass to Brandon Barden marked the first time an opponent reached the end zone against the Gamecocks this season.

Vanderbilt had little offense in the first half and was outgained 133-50 by the Gamecocks.

Quarterback Chris Smelley threw for two scores: a 19-yard strike to Kenny McKinley in the first quarter and another five-yarder to Freddie Brown. The latter brought South Carolina within a touchdown in the game’s final five minutes, but could not produce the equalizer on the team’s last possession.

South Carolina was in Vanderbilt territory looking to break a 10-10 tie when officials threw a flag as Smelley tried to find Moe Brown for a long pass. But they ruled the ball uncatchable instead of flagging Vandy for pass interference.

The Gamecocks return home for their first home SEC game Sept. 13 against Georgia.