South Carolina Rallies to Beat East Carolina 20-17 on FG

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Parker White kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired as South Carolina rallied from 14 down to beat East Carolina 20-17 on Saturday, earning its first road win under first-year coach Shane Beamer.

Damani Staley had a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown just before halftime to give the Gamecocks a needed spark after trailing 14-0 in a mistake-filled opening half. Former graduate assistant Zeb Noland also had a game-tying touchdown pass to Dakereon Joyner in the back of the end zone late in the third quarter.

In the end, the Gamecocks (2-0) did enough to give themselves a shot, then rode the legs of Juju McDowell – who gained 45 yards on six carries on South Carolina’s final 10-play drive – to set up White’s winner that had the Gamecocks spilling onto the field from the sideline to celebrate.

South Carolina won despite committing three turnovers in its first five drives, including a goal-line fumble that went through the end zone for a turnover in the first half.

Tyler Snead hit on a 75-yard trick-play touchdown pass to Jsi Hatfield on the game’s first offensive snap for the Pirates (0-2), while Holton Ahlers also ran for a short touchdown for the 14-0 lead. But East Carolina struggled to generate consistent offense, with Ahlers completing 11 of 24 passes for just 77 yards and two interceptions.

The Pirates were hosting a Southeastern Conference team for the first time since South Carolina’s last visit here in 1997.

GAME CHANGER

The Gamecock defense stopped East Carolina on a 3rd-and-5 to force a punt, giving the Gamecocks the ball for its game-winning drive. Jaylan Foster and David Spaulding made the tackle to hold ECU’s Tyler Sneed to just a one-yard gain.

KEY STAT

54 – The Gamecocks ended the game on a 10-play, 54-yard drive that ended with Parker White’s sixth career game-winning field goal. JuJu McDowell had 45 yards rushing on that final drive.

UP NEXT

Carolina opens Southeastern Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 18 as the Gamecocks visit Athens, Ga., for a 7 p.m. kickoff against Georgia. The game will be televised on ESPN.