Gamecocks get season opening win over Georgia State
South Carolina kicks off the 2022 football season with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday against Georgia State. Following along with updates from The State’s Ben Portnoy, Michael Lananna, Jeremiah Holloway and Lou Bezjak, who are all inside Williams-Brice Stadium to bring you coverage from the game.
Another blocked punt and score for South Carolina
USC’s special teams unit came to play. For the second time Saturday, USC blocked a GSU punt and ran it back for the touchdown. This time it happened in the fourth quarter, with tight end Traevon Kenion blocking the punt and receiver Ahmarean Brown running it 10 yards for the score.
Blocked punt gives USC two-score lead
The momentum continues to build for USC. After a strong defensive stop, the Gamecocks special teams unit blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown — the first time the Gamecocks have accomplished the feat since 2000. Running back Rashad Amos blocked the punt and defensive back D.Q. Smith ran it back 26 yards for the score. A two-point conversion by USC gives the Gamecocks a 28-14 lead.
Rattler throws his first USC touchdown
The Gamecocks struck right back after Georgia State took the lead in the second half. Rattler threw his first touchdown as a Gamecock, finding the running back Lloyd in space. Lloyd raced for 16 yards toward the end zone, and Rattler converted a two-point conversion on a quarterback draw to give the Gamecocks a 20-14 lead.
Panthers take advantage of interception
Rattler’s first pass of the second half was a catchable ball for receiver Ahmarean Brown, but the ball went through his hands and was intercepted by cornerback Quavian White to set up a scoring drive for the Panthers. GSU’s Grainger scored on a 4-yard quarterback keeper as GSU took a 14-12 lead.
Gamecocks add another field goal
Just before time expired in the first half, Rattler and the Gamecocks put together an eight-play, 42-yard drive to set up another field goal for Jeter. The 51-yard strike is the second field goal of Jeter’s career, and he’s the first Gamecocks kicker to hit two 50-yard field goals in one game. USC takes a 12-7 lead into the half and receive the ball to start the second half.
Georgia State strikes back
GSU quarterback Darren Grainger started the game 1-for-5 passing with -3 yards, but he found his groove late in the second quarter as he engineered a six-play, 75-yard drive. Grainger connected with receiver Robert Lewis on a 17-yard play-action pass in the red zone for the first Panthers touchdown of the game, pushing the score to 9-7.
Jeter connects on 53-yard field goal
Though the Gamecocks have yet to consistently finish drives, they managed to extend their lead late in the second quarter with a booming field goal by Mitch Jeter. His first career field goal went for 53 yards — tied for the seventh longest in program history.
Gamecocks get on the board first
After a scoreless first quarter, the Gamecocks got on the board early in the second quarter to take a 6-0 lead. New quarterback Spencer Rattler (7-for-10 passing, 91 yards) connected on a 39-yard pass to receiver Jalen Brooks to put the Gamecocks in the red zone. Then USC faked a field-goal attempt on fourth down to set up a one-yard touchdown run by running back MarShawn Lloyd. However the Gamecocks were unable to attempt an extra point after a bad snap.
Uniform report vs. Georgia State
South Carolina will suit up in black helmets, garnet uniforms and garnet pants in its season opener against Georgia State.
Final betting line
South Carolina is a 13-point favorite, according to the Vegas Insider consensus line that factors in 11 sportsbooks.
Watch the South Carolina game tonight
- Who: Georgia State Panthers (0-0) at South Carolina Gamecocks (0-0)
- When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
- Where: Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559) in Columbia, S.C.
- TV: Not on traditional TV
- Stream: SEC Network Plus and ESPN+
- On-air announce crew: Courtney Lyle (play-by-play), Chris Doering (analyst), Tamara Brown (sideline)
- Radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area (Todd Ellis, play-by-play; Tommy Suggs, analyst; Jamar Nesbit, sideline) … See radio affiliates.
This story was originally published September 3, 2022 at 6:03 PM.
