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Appalachian State Beats Gamecocks 20-15
Football  . 

Appalachian State Beats Gamecocks 20-15

by By PETE IACOBELLI | AP Sports Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Zac Thomas ran for a touchdown and Nicholas Ross scored on a 20-yard interception return as Appalachian State beat its second Power Five program of the season – and first from the Southeastern Conference – with a 20-15 victory over South Carolina on Saturday night.

The Mountaineers (8-1) were ranked No. 20 and undefeated with a chance to play in the Cotton Bowl before last week’s 24-21 home loss to Georgia Southern. They bounced back in the best way possible, holding off a late rally by South Carolina and adding this Power Five takedown to their 34-31 victory at North Carolina on Sept. 21.

Bryan Edwards had a 23-yard touchdown catch to draw the Gamecocks (4-6) within five with three minutes left. The Gamecocks drove to the App State 9 with 11 seconds left. But after a South Carolina holding penalty, Hilinski’s pass to the end zone was long in Appalachian State’s latest landmark victory.

As the Mountaineers did after stunning fourth-ranked Michigan in 2007 and the Tar Heels back in September, they rushed the field in celebration.

“This team is something special,” Mountaineers tight end Collin Reed said. “We’ve been building for a long time.”

South Carolina’s chances of making a bowl took a serious hit. The Gamecocks now must win at Texas A&M (something they’ve never done) and No. 4 Clemson in their final two games to make their fourth postseason trip under coach Will Muschamp.

Things turned right before halftime when Hilinski’s hard throw over the middle bounced off Xavier Legette’s hands and was intercepted by safety Nicholas Ross and returned 20 yards for a touchdown to put Appalachian State ahead for good 13-6.

Hilinski, the Gamecocks freshman, had not thrown a pick in his past five games until Ross got the deflected ball and took it in for the score.

Appalachian State defense took away what was expected to be the Gamecocks biggest edge in the run game. Season starter Rico Dowdle, who had missed the previous two games with an ankle sprain, had zero yards on 10 first-half carries in his return.

The Gamecocks came in averaging 184 yards a game on the ground but gained just 21 on 27 carries. South Carolina played without leading rusher Tavien Feaster, who sustained a groin injury last week.

“When we don’t have the ability to run the ball, we’re going to struggle,” South Carolina coach Will Muschamp said.

Edwards finished with nine catches for 90 yards, the senior surpassing Alshon Jeffery for the school’s all-time receiving yardage mark.

GAME CHANGER

Zac Thomas’ 1-yard run for a touchdown with 7:10 left in the third gave the Mountaineers a 20-9 lead. Carolina came back to cut it to five (20-15) on Bryan Edwards’ 23-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Hilinski and got the ball to the App 19 in the final drive, but couldn’t get the go-ahead score.

KEY STAT

113 – Carolina outgained Appalachian State 346-202 but the Mountaineers had 117 yards on kickoffs, leading to a pair of scoring drives. App State also had a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown by Nicholas Ross.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks finish up their conference schedule next Saturday (Nov. 16) as Carolina visits Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST (6:30 p.m. CST) and the game will be televised on SEC Network.