USC Gamecocks Football

How the points were scored in South Carolina’s 35-28 win over NC State

South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown during of the first half of their game against North Carolina State at Bank of America stadium in Charlotte.
South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown during of the first half of their game against North Carolina State at Bank of America stadium in Charlotte. tdominick@thestate.com

First Quarter

South Carolina 7, NC State 0

Scoring play: Deebo Samuel returned the opening kickoff for 97 yards.

Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00

Key play: Samuel tied the USC record for kickoff return touchdowns with two. He had one last season.

South Carolina 7, NC State 7

Scoring play: Quarterback Ryan Finley’s 6-yard rush

Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 5:51

Key play: Finley completed a 15-yard pass to running back Nyheim Hines on fourth and two.

South Carolina 14, NC State 7

Scoring play: Jake Bentley’s 34-yard pass to Rico Dowdle, who bobbled the ball before securing it and rushing into the end zone.

Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:58

Key play: Shi Smith made his first collegiate catch for 10 yards to move USC to its 37-yard line.

South Carolina 14, NC State 14

Scoring play: Nyheim Hines’ 2-yard rush

Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:07

Key play: Finley pulled off a trick play, resulting in a 29-yard completion to Cole Cook.

Second quarter

South Carolina 21, NC State 14

Scoring play: Bentley’s six-yard pass to Samuel

Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 3:18

Key play: Bentley escaped a sack and rushed 13 yards for a first down on third and 12.

South Carolina 21, NC State 21

Scoring play: Finley’s 4-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers

Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 1:38

Key play: Kelvin Harmon caught a 24-yard pass from Finley for a first down, despite holding from the USC defense.

Third quarter

South Carolina 28, NC State 21

Scoring play: Samuel’s one-handed, 39-yard catch

Drive: 3 plays, 51 yards, 1:25

Key play: Chris Lammons started the drive with a 26-yard punt return to put USC at its 49-yard line.

South Carolina 35, NC State 21

Scoring play: Dowdle’s 7-yard rush

Drive: 2 plays, 13 yards, 1:16

Key play: Bentley completed an 11-yard pass to Samuel to set up the touchdown.

Fourth quarter

South Carolina 35, N.C. State 28

Scoring play: Finley’s 1-yard pass to Jalen Samuels on fourth-and-goal

Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 3:33

Key play: Hines’ 19-yard rush to USC’s 21-yard line for a first down.

This story was originally published September 2, 2017 at 7:14 PM with the headline "How the points were scored in South Carolina’s 35-28 win over NC State."

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