South Carolina vs Ole Miss updates: Gamecocks lose offensive slugfest to Rebels
The State’s Ben Breiner is inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for Saturday’s South Carolina football game against Ole Miss. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network. The Gamecocks are playing a 10-game, SEC-only schedule during the coronavirus-delayed season.
Final: Ole Miss 59, South Carolina 42
Matt Corral threw for 513 yards, four touchdowns as the Rebels handed the Gamecocks another embarassing defeat in Southeastern Conference play. The Rebels gained 708 yards in the game and USC wasted a five-touchdown performance from running back Kevin Harris.
Moore TD: Ole Miss 59, South Carolina 42
After the Gamecocks couldn’t get anything going on offense and turned the ball over on downs, Ole Miss officially put the game away late, converting its fourth fourth-down attempt of the night with a 25-yard toss to Moore, who had more than 200 yards receiving on the game.
Ealy: TD Ole Miss 52, South Carolina 42
The Rebels got a crucial stop late, then made the Gamecocks pay with an eight-play, 80-yard scoring drive aided by a pass interference call against Jaycee Horn. Ealy was the one to punch the ball into the end zone, his third score on the night and second rushing
Moore TD: Ole Miss 45, South Carolina 42
The touchdowns continue to come fast and furious in this one - Ole Miss had the ball for all of one play before Matt Corral found Elijah Moore wide open on a busted coverage for a 91-yard touchdown toss that was about as easy as the Rebels could have wanted.
Harris TD: South Carolina 42, Ole Miss 38
Facing a critical third down to start the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks got a 22-yard burst from backup running back Deshaun Fenwick. From there, they methodically marched down the field, and Kevin Harris pushed his record-breaking night even further with a 12-yard touchdown run, his fifth score of the night.
Ealy TD: Ole Miss 38, South Carolina 35
The Rebels lost the lead for the first time all game, then came right back and seized it on a 12-yard rush from Jerrion Ealy, set up by a 57-yard bomb from Matt Corral to Braylon Sanders.
Harris TD: South Carolina 35, Ole Miss 31
After forcing their first punt of the game, the Gamecocks got their first lead in two plays as sophomore Kevin Harris broke off 32- and 44-yard runs to break the school record for rushing touchdowns in a game with four and 211 yards rushing.
Harris TD: Ole Miss 31, South Carolina 28
Sophomore Kevin Harris tied his career high with his third touchdown run of the day, a 1-yard rush to the outside that capped a methodical 10-play, 75-yard drive. He’s at 135 yards on the game.
Conner TD: Ole Miss 31, South Carolina 21
The Rebels got the ball to start the second half and converted two fourth downs on the ensuring drive, one with 10 yards to gain, and got a pass interference call in the end zone to set up a 2-yard rushing score from Snoop Conner.
Logan FG: Ole Miss 24, South Carolina 21
After the Gamecocks failed to capitalize on an Ole Miss fumble in the red zone, the Rebels got the ball back and were the beneficiaries of a missed sack call and a pass interference flag, followed by a review that put one second back on the clock before halftime, allowing Luke Logan to kick a field goal to end the second quarter.
Harris TD: South Carolina 21, Ole Miss 21
Deshaun Fenwick ripped off a 33-yard run, Shi Smith caught a 36-yard pass down the field to set up South Carolina inside the five-yard line, and it took four runs from there to push the ball across the goal line - sophomore Kevin Harris got his second score of the game, tied for his season high. Harris also has 103 yards rushing in the first half.
Ealy TD: Ole Miss 21, South Carolina 14
The Rebels marched down the field in 11 plays, overcoming three penalty flags and a first-and-goal from the 27-yard line to go back ahead - running back Jerrion Ealy got the score on a 15-yard pass from Matt Corral.
Harris TD: South Carolina 14, Ole Miss 14
The Gamecocks got back to the ground game after Hill’s interception, and sophomore running back Kevin Harris rewarded them with a 46-yard burst downfield for the touchdown.
Mukuamu, Robinson injured
South Carolina defensive backs Jammie Robinson Israel Mukuamu left the game with an injuries early in the second quarter. Robinson was hurt on a blindside block by a Ole Miss player. Robinson returned later in the quarter.
It was unclear what Mukuamu’s injury was. He was replaced by Shilo Sanders.
Corral TD: Ole Miss 14, South Carolina 7
A Collin Hill interception set up the Rebels with a short field, and QB Matt Corral and wide receiver Elijah Moore connected to convert a long fourth down, setting up Corral to rush in from three yards out.
Drummond TD: Ole Miss 7, South Carolina 7
Ole Miss responded to South Carolina’s strong opening drive with a march of its own, pounding the ball down the field against USC’s overmatched defense and reaching the end zone on a quick little 3-yard pass from Matt Corral to Dontario Drummond.
Smith TD: South Carolina 7, Ole Miss 0
Sophomore running back Kevin Harris and senior wide receiver Shi Smith got all the touches on USC’s opening drive, powering the Gamecocks down the field and reaching the end zone with a superb one-handed grab by Smith from 11 yards out. SEC Network announcers called it a “catch of the year candidate” of Smith’s TD.
Gamecocks missing six on defense
South Carolina is missing six defensive players Saturday including starting defensive end Aaron Sterling, who has missed a few games. Freshman Alex Huntley also was out after playing his first game of season last week. Other Gamecocks previously announced as out included Sherrod Greene, Brad Johnson, Jahmar Brown and Spencer Eason-Riddle.
Moore starts at left tackle
Will Muschamp said on his radio pre-game interview that redshirt freshman Jakai Moore would be bigger factor on offensive line and Moore started at left tackle on the Gamecocks’ first drive.
Hill remains starting QB
Grad transfer quarterback Collin Hill remains the starter today at Ole Miss.
Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp confirmed during his pre-game radio interview with Todd Ellis that Hill will get another shot as USC’s starter.
The State confirmed the news of the decision Friday through a source. WACH Fox sports anchor Mike Uva first reported that Hill would start, citing “a source close with the program” who said USC’s quarterbacks were informed Friday.
Fans were hoping for a change after couple of struggling performances by the Gamecocks but Hill remains the guy.
Hill started the first six games of this season for the 2-4 Gamecocks, but coach Will Muschamp declared the job was open after the offense struggled in the losses to LSU and Texas A&M. The Gamecocks were outscored 100-27 in those games.
Final betting line favors Rebels
The initial betting line by VegasInsider.com had the Gamecocks as seven-point underdogs but that continued to grow and grew to as many as 11 points. An hour before kickoff, Ole Miss was a 10-point favorite.
This story was originally published November 14, 2020 at 6:42 PM.
