South Carolina vs Texas A&M live updates: Gamecocks seal first-ever win over Aggies

South Carolina hosts Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with the game televised on SEC Network. Follow along with updates from The State’s Ben Portnoy, Michael Lananna, Jeremiah Holloway and Lou Bezjak, who are all at Williams-Brice Stadium to bring you coverage from the game.

Rattler fumbles, Aggies respond

Just when the Gamecocks seemed to grab momentum back and the USC defense forced another stop, Spencer Rattler fumbled on the first play of the drive to give the Aggies the ball in the red zone. Running back Devon Achane ran up the middle 15 yards to cut the deficit to 24-21.

Gamecocks find breathing room

The Aggies were making a game of it late in the first half, but the USC defense has held strong thus far in the third quarter, forcing a pair of three-and-outs. The Gamecocks took advantage of a shanked punt on the second three-and-out to set up a scoring drive. Running back MarShawn Lloyd ran for an 18-yard touchdown to give the Gamecocks a 24-14 lead with the third quarter winding down.

Aggies grab momentum back

After getting off to a 17-0 start — thanks in large part to defense and special teams — the Gamecocks haven’t been able to sustain momentum. USC halfback Juju McDowell fumbled to set up an Aggies field goal. Then the USC offense sputtered on its next drive, punted, and the Aggies orchestrated a 13-play, 94-yard touchdown drive and a two-point conversion to lower the deficit to just three points.

Texas A&M gets on the board

After their first two drives of the game ended with turnovers, the Aggies finally put together a sustained offensive drive for eight plays and 41 yards. But the Gamecocks forced a stop on third and long to hold the Aggies to a field goal.

Aggies fumble, Gamecocks score

Another Texas A&M mistake opened the door for the Gamecocks to score. A miscommunication at the line of scrimmage led to a bad snap and a fumble, giving the Gamecocks the ball in the red zone and setting up a five-yard touchdown run for tailback Christian Beal-Smith.

Darius Rush interception sets up field goal

The momentum is squarely on USC’s side to start the game. After the touchdown kickoff return to start, defensive back Darius Rush intercepted the Aggies and nearly took another ball to the house, but the Gamecocks settled for a Mitch Jeter field goal to take a 10-0 lead.

Gamecocks open with kickoff return touchdown

The Gamecocks couldn’t have gotten off to a better start against the Aggies, with return man Xavier Legette returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a game-opening touchdown. It’s second-longest kickoff return in Gamecocks history, dating back to Sterling Sharpe’s 104-yard return.

Uniform report vs. Texas A&M

South Carolina will suit up in black helmets, garnet jerseys and garnet pants. The uniform report so far ...

• Sept. 3 vs. Georgia State: black helmets, garnet jerseys and garnet pants
• Sept. 10 at Arkansas: all white
• Sept. 17 vs. Georgia: white helmets, garnet jerseys and white pants
• Sept. 24 vs. Charlotte: white helmets, garnet jerseys and white pants
• Sept. 29 vs . SC State: white throwback helmets, garnet jerseys, white pants
• Oct. 8 vs. Kentucky: garnet helmets, white jerseys and white pants

Final betting line

South Carolina is a 3-point underdog, according to VegasInsider’s consensus line. The over-under for points scored in the game is 44.5

Watch, stream the South Carolina game today

• Who: Texas A&M Aggies (3-3, 1-2) at South Carolina Gamecocks (4-2, 1-2)
• When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559) in Columbia, S.C.
• TV: SEC Network
• Stream: via ESPN app
• On-air announce crew: Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (Analyst), Cole Cubelic (Sideline)
• Radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area (Todd Ellis, play-by-play; Tommy Suggs, analyst; Jamar Nesbit, sideline) … See all the radio affiliates around South Carolina here.

This story was originally published October 22, 2022 at 5:13 PM.