Carolina withstands Wofford

Carolina needs late defensive stand to stop inspired Terriers

Published on 09/17/06

USC 27, Wofford 20

COLUMBIA — It was only Division I-AA Wofford, but the Terriers provided South Carolina with more drama than the Gamecocks were looking for.

Wofford scored 10 fourth-quarter points to put a scare into the Gamecocks, who held on for a 27-20 victory Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium.

"It was sort of one of our typical games around here since I've been here," said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. "It looks like we've got a chance to blow somebody out and it doesn't happen. They get back in the game. They easily could have beaten us."

The Terriers were 12 yards away

Gamecocks withstand Wofford

from a game-tying touchdown, but on fourth-and-7, South Carolina's Dakota Walker tipped an option pitch up in the air and Cody Wells grabbed it and returned it to the 42-yard line with six seconds to play.

"Dakota made a great play, and I was just in the right place at the right time," Wells said.

South Carolina (2-1) appeared comfortably in front 27-10 with less than 10 minutes to play in the game when things began to go badly for the Gamecocks.

Wofford's Justin Franklin intercepted a Syvelle Newton pass and returned it 24 yards to set up a 28-yard field goal by Nick Robinson.

On South Carolina's next possession, Wofford (1-2) almost blocked a Ryan Succop punt on fourth down and Succop passed incomplete to set up the Terriers on the Gamecock 25-yard line.

On the first play from there, Wofford quarterback Josh Collier passed to Andy Strickland for a 25-yard touchdown and South Carolina's lead was 27-20 with 4:43 to play.

"We couldn't block their guys," Spurrier said. "They're pretty dadgum good up front. And then we make some really stupid plays around here. We really do. I can't explain it."

Disappointed with his team's effort in last week's 18-0 loss to Georgia, Spurrier made seven changes to the starting lineup on offense and three on defense.

One change that likely will remain in place is Newton at quarterback. Newton started at quarterback for the Gamecocks in place of Blake Mitchell, who was suspended for one game after being involved in a bar fight earlier in the week.

Newton completed 12 of 18 passes for 196 yards with one interception and no touchdowns. He also rushed 13 times for 67 yards.

The Gamecocks led 24-10 at halftime, but managed only a 22-yard field goal by Succop in the second half.

Newton looked on his way to a big night, based on his first-half performance.

South Carolina got three rushing touchdowns by Cory Boyd, but the combination of Newton to Sidney Rice also was critical to the Gamecocks' success.

Rice caught four passes for 110 yards in the first half, including receptions of 45 and 46 yards, with both catches setting up scores.

Boyd scored on a 1-yard run, a 10-yard run and a 40-yard run.

The Gamecocks also got a 42-yard field goal from Succop.

"When a lot of small teams play against bigger opponents, they play harder than they will probably ever play again and that's what I feel they did tonight," Newton said of Wofford. "We just had a bad second half. We couldn't get down the field."

Wofford's first-half touchdown came on a 1-yard run by Kevious Johnson, who had 109 yards rushing in the first half, including a 62-yarder.

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