South Carolina Survives a Scare Against Old Dominion

© Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

The South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0) survived a nailbiter in Columbia on Aug. 31 against Old Dominion (0-1), beating the Monarchs 23-19.

Game Summary

Right off the bat, the Gamecock defense came out strong, with Kyle Kennard forcing a fumble on the second play of the game on a sack that Debo Williams would recover to set up the offense in prime field position on their first drive. The Gamecocks would capitalize on the goal-to-go field position to start the drive by scoring a touchdown, with Raheim Sanders getting the 1-yard rush for the score.

Old Dominion would quickly respond, however, with Grant Wilson throwing a 72-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Paige on the second play of the drive to tie the game. In the second offensive drive for the Gamecocks, Lanorris Sellers would use his legs to move the ball down the field, including a 23-yard run, but South Carolina would be held to a 40-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead. To start the second quarter Sellers would fumble deep in South Carolina territory to set up the Monarchs with prime field position, but on the next play Wilson gave the ball right back to the Gamecocks with an interception in the end zone.

The game would then be delayed due to lightning for 45 minutes. After a strong defensive drive for the Gamecocks that forced a Monarch punt from their own 10, South Carolina would not be able to fully capitalize on starting the drive in Old Dominion territory, being forced to settle for a field goal after an ineligible receiver downfield penalty negated a touchdown pass. The half would end with the Gamecocks leading 13-7. Sellers only passed for 24 yards in the first half.

The second half started with the Gamecocks taking up half of the third quarter on a 16-play, 60-yard drive, but once again were forced to settle for a 33-yard field goal to extend the lead to 16-7. The Monarchs would answer back with a touchdown on the next drive, capped off by a 36-yard Wilson scramble for a touchdown on a fourth-and-7. The extra point would be blocked, keeping the lead at three.

On the next drive, the Gamecocks drove to the Old Dominion 30 but miss the field goal, giving the Monarchs the chance to take their first lead of the afternoon. While they were not able to take the lead with a touchdown, the Monarchs would tie the game with a 40-yard field goal to end the third quarter.

Following another stop by their defense, the Monarchs would drive down the field, but be forced to settle for a field goal once again—this time a 33-yarder to take a 19-16 lead, their first of the game. When it looked like the momentum had swung completely in the direction of the Monarchs, DeAndre Jules became a hero in Columbia, recovering a fumbled ball by Wilson to give the Gamecocks the ball in goal-to-go territory.

Two plays later and the Gamecocks had retaken the lead, with Sellers rushing it in from 3 yards out for the touchdown. An interception by Jalon Kilgore on a tipped ball would seal the win for the Gamecocks.

Turning Point

The turning point of the game was the fumble recovery by Jules, turning what was looking like a huge upset for the Monarchs into a Gamecock win.

What It Means

While the Gamecocks did survive, this game should not have been as close as it was. Sellers struggled in his first start, only throwing for 114 yards and losing a fumble. While the offense struggled, and Old Dominion was able to move the ball on the Gamecock defense, they were able to get 4 turnovers, which was one of the keys coming into the game. If the defense is able to get as many turnovers and have as many bend, but don't break possessions as they did in this one then they can keep South Carolina in games to allow the offense to figure out their issues.

On the flip side, for the Monarchs, they can hold their heads up high in defeat. In spite of the loss, they kept it close with an up-and-coming Southeastern Conference team throughout the game. The key for them moving forward will be limiting the turnovers. If they can have better ball security, both in the run and pass game, they will be fine moving forward into the rest of the season.