Live from Bank of America Stadium: South Carolina beats UNC for Duke’s Mayo Bowl win
The State’s Ben Portnoy, Michael Lananna and Augusta Stone were at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for Thursday’s South Carolina football game against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl (11:30 a.m., ESPN). Below are the updates from the game.
Gamecocks finish with a 17-point victory
South Carolina ended the game with a 33-yard Parker White field goal, leaving 0:40 left in the game. South Carolina extended its lead to 38-21 over North Carolina and left Charlotte with a Duke’s Mayo Bowl win.
South Carolina strengthens lead midway through fourth quarter
After forcing a UNC punt following four consecutive Tar Heel scoring drives, the Gamecocks built upon their lead with a 22-yard field goal attempt, improving their lead over North Carolina to 35-21 with 7:44 to go in the game.
UNC cuts South Carolina’s lead to 11 with 8-point drive
The Tar Heels scored a 37-yard touchdown thanks to a Sam Howell-Garrett Walston connection and converted for two points, cutting South Carolina’s lead to 32-21 with 7:24 to go in the third quarter.
Joyner leads another TD drive for the Gamecocks
Dakereon Joyner led the way to another Gamecocks touchdown in the third quarter. Joyner completed two passes of 20 yards or more to set up a short Kevin Harris rushing touchdown, extending USC’s lead to 32-13 over the Tar Heels with 9:53 to go in the third quarter.
Gamecocks stymie another UNC drive to a field goal
The Tar Heels made it downfield once again off long Sam Howell passes, but the Gamecocks were able to keep UNC from reaching the end zone. North Carolina made a 36-yard field goal attempt to bring the score to a 25-13 South Carolina advantage with just 0:44 left before halftime.
Juju McDowell TD extends South Carolina lead before the half
The Gamecocks’ freshman running back emerged with an explosive 35-yard touchdown rush to extend USC’s lead as the Tar Heels began to bring the score closer. South Carolina leads North Carolina 25-10 with 2:27 to go in the first half.
UNC scores field goal after Gamecocks’ first punt
South Carolina’s offense left the field for the first time without scoring points and gave the Tar Heels a possession just as they were building momentum. UNC quarterback Sam Howell completed two long passes as the Tar Heels drove down field, but a 10-yard sack pushed them back for a long third down that resulted in a field goal opportunity. South Carolina maintains its narrowing lead, 18-10 with 5:44 left in the first half.
Tar Heels score TD to open second quarter
North Carolina scored on an explosive play of its own early in the second quarter. UNC running back British Brooks took a 63-yard rush to the end zone to narrow the Gamecocks’ early lead, bringing the game to an 18-7 South Carolina advantage with 13:11 to go in the second quarter.
Parker White becomes Gamecocks’ leading scorer, South Carolina extends first-quarter lead
Senior kicker Parker White became South Carolina’s all-time leader in points with a 30-yard field goal made in the first quarter. White passed Elliott Fry’s record and extended the Gamecocks’ lead to 18-0 over UNC with 0:27 to go in the first quarter.
Jaheim Bell with another long TD reception
Jaheim Bell hauled in another touchdown catch over 60 yards to extend South Carolina’s lead over UNC midway through the first quarter. Zeb Noland passed the 66-yard touchdown, and punter Kai Kroeger tossed a successful two-point conversion attempt to Nick Muse to bring the Gamecocks’ lead to 15-0 with 7:45 to go in the first quarter.
Dakereon Joyner TD pass gives Gamecocks early lead
South Carolina opted for wide receiver Dakereon Joyner to get the starting quarterback nod, trading snaps with Zeb Noland. Joyner tossed a 69-yard touchdown pass to Jaheim Bell to give South Carolina an early 7-0 lead over North Carolina with 10:15 to go in the first quarter.
Starting DB, assistant coach absent, RB won’t play
South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith and running backs coach Montario Hardesty were not seen on the field with the team in warmups. Smith was not available for “undisclosed reasons” while the defensive backfield grappled with absences. Running back MarShawn Lloyd, who practiced with a non-contact jersey earlier in the week, did not dress out for the game. Here’s a list of all the Gamecocks who are absent.
Uniform report vs. North Carolina
South Carolina will suit up in garnet jerseys, white pants and white helmets as the designated home team for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl game against UNC.
Watch the South Carolina game today
Who: North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5 ACC) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6, 3-5 SEC)
When: 11:30 a.m. Thursday
Where: Bank of America Stadium (74,867) in Charlotte, N.C.
TV: ESPN
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 10:27 AM.
