Darius Rucker scores touchdown in South Carolina spring game (+ video)

Standing all alone in the back corner of the end zone in the first quarter of the Garnet and Black spring game, Darius Rucker waited for the pass from Connor Mitch.

The country singing star had one thing on his mind: “It was so funny because when the ball was coming, all I was thinking was, ‘Catch it, catch it.’ ”

Rucker had received many texts before the game from his buddies, who implored him not to drop the pass.

After all, Rucker, who first gained fame as the singer for Hootie and the Blowfish, was previously known for dropping a pass from Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino in the “Only Wanna Be With You” video. But 20 years later, he redeemed himself by easily hauling in Mitch’s throw with no defender near him.

USC coach Steve Spurrier came away impressed. “He caught it cleanly, didn’t he?”

Spurrier said it was simply a matter of making a call to Rucker, who recently released a new CD called “Southern Style,” to get him to participate.

“I said, ‘Have you ever caught a touchdown at Williams-Brice?’ He said, ‘No. I’d love to.’ I said, ‘I can make it happen for you,’ ” Spurrier said.

The two have a mutual admiration for each other’s accomplishments.

“He loves South Carolina. He wears that Gamecock hat everywhere he goes, every show he does,” Spurrier said. “He’s a wonderful ambassador for our university and all the sports programs.”

Rucker couldn’t deny it.

“I’m always a Gamecock through and through,” he said.

This story was originally published April 11, 2015 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Darius Rucker scores touchdown in South Carolina spring game (+ video)."