Markway’s homecoming game spoiled by Gamecocks’ loss

Missouri native Kyle Markway had his first career catch Saturday.

Markway, a special-teams staple as a freshman, was hoping to get a ball thrown his way. He caught a 14-yarder in front of a large crowd of well-wishers.

“It was awesome. It was fun,” Markway said. “Would have been better to come out with a W.”

Markway estimated he had a crowd of around 70 family, friends and coaches in the stands.

Setting wrong records

South Carolina’s defense continues to bolster some of the nation’s most unknown or struggling units.

Missouri came into the game ranked 116^th in the country in rushing, averaging a mere 108.5 yards per game. The Tigers had 163.

Up against it

Steve Spurrier had only started 0-3 in the SEC once before, in 2005. In his first year with the Gamecocks, he was humbled by Georgia, Alabama and Auburn – before rallying to beat Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Tennessee and Florida. Included were the first time USC won at Neyland Stadium and the first time it beat the Gators since 1939.

The Missouri loss dropped Spurrier to 0-3 this year. The Gamecocks host LSU and Heisman Trophy favorite Leonard Fournette next week.

Hoping

The Gamecocks missed on their second chance to get their first SEC win of the season on the road. They’ve done it 10 times in their history – 1993, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012. Four of those games were against Georgia.

If USC can’t beat LSU or Vanderbilt at home, it will try to top Texas A&M on the road on Halloween night.

The context

Saturday was the first time in SEC history that two true freshman quarterbacks started the same game.

Familiar face

Missouri great Michael Sam, the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, was spotted outside of the stadium in street clothes. Sam is enrolled in graduate school at Mizzou and is also helping a Columbia, Mo. TV station with football analysis.

Old heads

Members of Mizzou’s 1965 Sugar Bowl champion team were honored at halftime. Those Tigers beat Florida, led by quarterback Steve Spurrier, in the bowl game.

Captains

USC’s captains were T.J. Holloman, Mason Zandi, Dante Sawyer and Shon Carson.

Red cross report

As expected, CB Chaz Elder (ribs), C Alan Knott (ankle) and RB Brandon Wilds (ribs) didn’t travel. WR Deebo Samuel didn’t travel after tweaking his hamstring last week. CB Chris Lammons played after missing the past three games.

DT Gerald Dixon Jr. iced his left leg in the first quarter but returned. QB Lorenzo Nunez sprained his shoulder but played, and said he’ll be OK for next week.

This story was originally published October 3, 2015 at 5:41 PM.